Snow chains
! Vehicles with Adaptive Damping System
(ADS):
When driving with snow chains, do not
select SPORT mode as this may result in
damage to your vehicle.
! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help avoid
serious damage to your vehicle or tires,
make sure the use of snow chains is
permissible as specified in the “Technical
data” section of this Operator’s Manual.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow-
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h)
. Remove chains as soon
as possible when driving on roads without
snow.
Observe the following guidelines when using
snow chains:
R Use of snow chains is not permissible with
all wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 347).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
! If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body
or axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
R Only use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
R Do not use snow chains on the spare wheel.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESP ®
(Y page 65)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction. Winter driving instructions
G
Warning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To
assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind. G
Warning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing
point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result
in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 252).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can 252
Winter driving
Operation
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G
Warning!
If the 42 indicator lamp remains illuminated with an adult occupant on the front
passenger seat even after performing the above corrective steps, do not have any passenger use
the front passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Driving systems Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsCruise
Control Inoperativ
e The cruise control is malfunctioning.
X
Have the cruise control checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Cruise
Control - - - MPH One of the activation conditions for cruise control has not
been
fulfilled. You may have attempted to set a speed below
20 mph (30 km/h).
X Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) if the situation allows
and set the speed.
X Check the activation conditions for cruise control
(Y page 143). DISTRONIC - - - Km/h
(Canada
only) One of the activation conditions for Distronic has not been
fulfilled. You may have attempted to set a speed below
20 mph (30 km/h)
.
X Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) if the situation allows
and set the speed.
X Check the activation conditions for Distronic
(Y page 148). DISTRONIC Inoperativ
e The Distronic or the display are malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. DISTRONIC Override You have accelerated. The Distronic has switched off.
X
Stop accelerating. DISTRONIC Available
Again Distronic had been deactivated and is available again.
X
Activate Distronic (Y page 148). 280
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Practical hints
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsd
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp
flashes while
driving. The ESP
®
or the 4-ETS has come into operation because of
detected traction loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.
X When driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.
X While driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.
X Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
X Do not deactivate the ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (Y page 65).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident. At least one wheel is spinning and the 4-ETS has switched off to
prevent overheating of the drive wheel brakes.
X
Read and observe additional messages that may appear in the
multifunction display.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the 4-ETS switches on
again.
The message in the multifunction display disappears and the
ESP ®
warning lamp d goes out. Driving systems
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions·
The red distance
warning lamp
comes on while
driving. You are too close to the vehicle in front of you to maintain selected
speed.
X
Apply the brakes immediately to increase the following
distance. ·
The red distance
warning lamp
comes on while
driving and an
acoustic
warning sounds. You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle ahead of you or the
distance
warning system has recognized a stationary obstacle on
your probable line of travel.
X Apply the brakes immediately.
X Carefully observe the traffic situation. You may need to brake
or maneuver to avoid hitting an obstacle. 304
What to do if …
Practical hints
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