Comfort suspension tuning
Vehicle handling in comfort driving mode is
softer. Select this mode when you prefer a
more comfortable driving style.XWhen indicator lamp ; is on: Press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. The
comfortable chassis and suspension setup
is selected.
The message ABC Active Body Control
COMFORT appears in the multifunction
display.
All-wheel drive (4MATIC)
In vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MATIC),
both axles are powered at all times when the
vehicle is being operated. The 4MATIC
improves traction in conjunction with the ESC
( Y page 66) and the Electronic Traction
System (ETS/4-ETS) ( Y page 67).
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. All wheels must be on or off the
ground. Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system and/or the transfer case which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the 4MATIC is only
achieved with winter tires ( Y page 432) or
snow chains as required.
Parktronic system
The Parktronic system with Parking Guidance
is an electronic parking aid with ultrasonic
sensors designed to assist the driver during
parking maneuvers. The Parktronic system
indicates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle visually and audibly.
The Parktronic system is activated
automatically when
R you switch on the ignition
and
R you release the electronic parking brake
or
R you start the engine
and
R shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N
The Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds, the Parktronic system
activates again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates when
you shift the automatic transmission into
park position P or engage the electronic
parking brake and turn off the engine.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sensors
Driving systems347Controls in detail221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 347Z
GWarning!
The ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not recognize fatigue or
increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system cannot
substitute a rested and attentive driver.
Fatigue can cause you to recognize dangers
too late, to misjudge potential dangers, or to
react slower. Therefore, make sure to be
rested before and during your trip. Take rests
early enough and regularly, especially during
long trips. Failure to do so could cause you to
recognize dangers too late which could result
in an accident and serious injury to you and/
or others.
The ATTENTION ASSIST interprets your
fatigue or increasing inattentiveness
considering the following criteria:
Rthe individual driving style, for example the
way you steer
Rthe driving conditions such as time of day
and duration of the ride
The ATTENTION ASSIST function is restricted
and warnings will be delayed or not issued at
all when
Rroad conditions are bad, e.g. heavy bumps
or potholes
Rcrosswinds are strong
Rdriving in a sporty manner with high speed
in curves or rapid acceleration
Rdriving slower than 50 mph (80 km/h) or
faster than 112 mph (180 km/h) most of
the time
Roperating the COMAND or making phone
calls via COMAND
Rchanging lanes or varying the vehicle
speed, i.e. you intervene actively
Warnings and displays in the
multifunction display
XSwitch on the ATTENTION ASSIST via the
control system (Y page 232).
ATTENTION ASSIST indicator : appears in
the multifunction display.
When the ATTENTION ASSIST is active, it will
warn you after 20 minutes of driving at the
earliest. An intermittent warning will then
sound twice and the message Attention
Assist: Time for a rest? appears in the
multifunction display.
XIf possible park your vehicle in a safe
location and take a rest.
XConfirm the message by pressing button
a on the multifunction steering wheel.
If you do not take a rest and the
ATTENTION ASSIST continues to recognize
fatigue or increasing inattentiveness, you will
be warned once more after 15 minutes at the
earliest.
During long trips, take regular and duly rests
that allow you to recover sufficiently.
The ATTENTION ASSIST will be reset and
restarts evaluating the degree of your fatigue
when
Ryou turn off the engine
Ryou release the seat belt and open the
driver’s door, e.g. during a rest or for a
driver change
Night View Assist Plus
The Night View Assist Plus illuminates the
road with infrared light in addition to the
normal headlamps.
A camera at the top of the windshield
measures the infrared light and shows a
black-and-white image in the multifunction
356Driving systemsControls in detail
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 356
of the bumper around the sensors is free of
dirt, ice and snow. The radar sensors must not
be obstructed, for example, by bicycle
carriers or overhanging luggage.
! In the event of a significant impact or
damage affecting the bumpers, have the
radar sensors checked by a qualified
specialist workshop such as a Mercedes-
Benz Center. Failure to do this can result in
Blind Spot Assist not functioning correctly.
Indicator and warning lamps
Exterior rear view mirror, driver’s side
XMake sure that the radar sensors
(Y page 236) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 233) are switched on.
XSwitch on the ignition.
Red warning lamps : in the exterior rear
view mirrors come on.
XStart the engine.
Yellow indicator lamps : in the exterior
rear view mirrors come on up to a speed of
20 mph (30 km/h).
Above a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h), yellow
indicator lamps : go out and the Blind Spot
Assist is active. If the Blind Spot Assist
detects a vehicle in its range, red warning
lamp : on the corresponding side of the
vehicle comes on. The warning is issued each
time a vehicle enters the area monitored by
the Blind Spot Assist from behind or from the
side. When you pass another vehicle, the
warning is issued only when the speed
differential is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
When you shift the automatic transmission in
reverse gear R, yellow indicator lamps : in
the exterior rear view mirrors goes out after
approximately 3 seconds. The Blind Spot
Assist is then not active.
The brightness of indicator lamps/warning
lamps : is controlled automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light.
GWarning!
The Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds
below approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). The
yellow indicator lamps in the exterior rear
view mirrors are illuminated. You will not be
alerted to the presence of vehicles in the
monitored area at these speeds.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, weather and traffic
conditions and to provide the steering,
braking and other driving inputs necessary to
retain control of the vehicle. Failure to do so
could result in recognizing dangers too late,
possibly resulting in an accident and serious
injury to yourself and others.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the Blind Spot Assist
range and you activate the turn signal, a two-
tone warning will sound once. Red warning
lamp : on the corresponding side of the
vehicle will flash.
GWarning!
Do not change lanes or make turns, while red
warning lamp : is flashing. Doing so could
result in an accident and serious injury to
yourself and others.
XRemain on the lane that you are currently
on until traffic conditions permit to change.
If the turn signal remains on, red warning
lamp : will flash to indicate that vehicles
have been detected. No further audible
warnings will sound.
Driving systems361Controls in detail221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 361Z
FunctionRecommendation/Notes4Front defrosteriKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear
again.( Y page 370)5Air recirculationi
Only use this function for a short time,
e.g. in a tunnel. Otherwise, the windows
can fog up due to lack of fresh air.( Y page 371)6Climate control on/
offi Switch on/off the climate control
system.( Y page 366)7Residual heat/
ventilationi With the engine turned off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the
interior.( Y page 372)8Rear window
defroster( Y page 372)9Manual fan speed
adjustment,
passenger side( Y page 370)aTemperature
control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).(Y page 367)bAir distribution and
air volume,
passenger side
(automatic mode)i Switch on the automatic mode. The
indicator lamp in button à comes on.(Y page 366)Rear climate
control panelHTemperature
control, righti Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).IAir distribution, rightJOFF Rear climate
control on/off
AUTO Rear climate
control automatic
mode
MAN Rear climate
control manual
modeKAir volume364Climate control systemControls in detail
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 364
FunctionRecommendation/NotesLAir distribution, leftMTemperature
control, lefti Set the temperature to 72‡ (22†).Notes on climate control system
i If you have the air distribution and air
volume automatically controlled, you can
adjust the temperature, footwell
temperature and air flow. The following
basic settings are recommended:
R Automatic air distribution control
( Y page 366)
R Temperature: 72‡ (22†) ( Y page 367)
R Footwell temperature: 0 ( Y page 214)
R Air flow: focused ( Y page 215)
The climate control system is operational
whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in either
the automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on the
selected interior temperature.
It can only function optimally when you are
driving with the windows, the tilt/sliding
sunroof or tilt/sliding panel closed.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors
are filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air
distribution system.GWarning!
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a clogged filter replaced as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
GWarning!
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages and
in the “COMAND automatic climate control”
section. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
XKeep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing objects on
the air flow-through exhaust slots below the
rear window.
i If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the
interior before driving off, see “Summer
opening feature” (Y page 309). The climate
control will then adjust the interior
temperature to the set value much faster.
The following climate control functions can
be operated via COMAND:
R Temperature ( Y page 211)
R Air distribution ( Y page 212)
R Air volume ( Y page 212)
R Switching off cooling ( Æ) (Y page 213)
R Central climate control ( Mono)
( Y page 214)
R Footwell temperature ( Y page 214)
R Air flow from air vents ( Y page 215)
R Rear climate control ( Y page 215)
Climate control system365Controls in detail221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 365Z
Deactivating the climate control
systemGWarning!
When the climate control system is
deactivated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility and
endangering you and others.
Deactivating the front climate control
XDeactivating: Press rocker switch ^ up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on. You will see Climate Control
OFF in the COMAND display.XReactivating: Press rocker switch ^ up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out. You will see the previous settings
in the COMAND display.
Deactivating the rear climate control
Operating on the front climate control
panel
XActivate the RearY function via
COMAND ( Y page 215). This function is
used to operate the rear climate control via
COMAND and the rocker switches on the
control panel from the front.XDeactivating: Press rocker switch ^ up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on.XReactivating: Press rocker switch ^ up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out. The previous settings are once
again in effect.Operating on the rear climate control
panelXDeactivating: Press rocker switch J
( Y page 363) up or down repeatedly until
OFF mode is selected in display.XReactivating: Press rocker switch J up or
down repeatedly until AUTO mode is
selected in display.
or
XPress rocker switch J up or down
repeatedly until MAN mode is selected in
display.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while the
engine is running and cools the interior air to
the temperature set by the operator. In
addition, the air conditioning dehumidifies
the interior air and helps prevent window
fogging.
GWarning!
If you deactivate the air conditioning, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
i Condensated water may drip out from
underneath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs which
are harmful to the ozone layer.
The cooling function can be activated or
deactivated via COMAND ( Y page 213).
Automatic mode
When operating the climate control system in
automatic mode, the interior air temperature,
air volume and air distribution are adjusted
automatically.
366Climate control systemControls in detail
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 366
ActivatingXPress rocker switch ¬ up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on.
The climate control switches to the following
functions automatically:
R most efficient blower speed and heating
power, depending on outside temperature
R air flows onto the windshield and the front
door windows
R the air conditioning compressor switches
on at outside temperatures above
approximately 41‡ (5†) for air-drying
Adjustments
You can adjust the air volume and the
temperature when the front defroster is
switched on. The air flow will remain on the
windshield and front door windows.
XPress rocker switch K up or down to
increase or decrease air volume to the
desired level.
The air volume increases/decreases to the
next higher/lower blower speed and
heating switches to the temperature that
was set before the front defroster was
switched on.
The indicator lamp in rocker switch ¬
goes out.
or
XPress rocker switches w up or down.
Heating switches to the temperature that
was set before the front defroster was
switched on.
The indicator lamp in rocker switch ¬
goes out.
i The air conditioning compressor remains
on even with the indicator lamp in button
¬ goes out. This helps to prevent
windshield from fogging.
DeactivatingXPress rocker switch ¬ up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect, except air recirculation mode stays
off.
Windshield fogged on the outside
XSwitch the windshield wipers on
( Y page 305).XPress rocker switch à up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on.
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
MAX COOL is only available in U.S. vehicles.
MAX COOL is only operational when the
engine is running.
If à is selected on both the left and right
side and there is a high demand for cooling,
the display MAXCOOL appears in the COMAND
display.
This provides the fastest possible cooling of
the vehicle interior (when windows and tilt/
sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel are
closed).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e. g. before driving through
a tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
GWarning!
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
Climate control system371Controls in detail221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 371Z
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press button
¬ .XActivating: Press rocker switch g up or
down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on.
i The air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures.
The indicator lamp in rocker switch g is
not lit when the air recirculation mode is
switched on automatically.
A quantity of outside air is added when the
cooling demand is not at maximum.
If the air conditioning has been turned off
or the outside temperature is below 41‡
(5†), the air recirculation mode will not
switch on automatically.
XDeactivating: Press rocker switch g up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out.
i The manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically:
R after 5 minutes if the outside
temperature is below approximately
41‡ (5†)
R after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off
R after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above approximately
41‡ (5†)
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine turned off, it is possible to
continue to heat or ventilate the interior for
up to 30 minutes. This feature makes use of
the residual heat produced by the engine.
i If you switch on the residual heat function
when outside temperatures are high, only
the ventilation will be switched on.
i Regardless of the selected air volume, the
blower operates at low speed when
heating. In case of ventilation the blower
operates at higher speed.
i How long the system will provide heating
depends on the coolant temperature and
the selected temperature. The blower will
run at low speed regardless of the air
distribution control setting.XActivating: Switch off the ignition.XPress rocker switch Ì up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
comes on.XDeactivating: Press rocker switch Ì up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out.
The residual heat is deactivated
automatically:
R when the ignition is switched on
R after approximately 30 minutes
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low
Rear window defroster
GWarning!
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery drain
to a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is switched off automatically after
approximately 6 to 17 minutes of operation
depending on the outside temperature.
372Rear window defrosterControls in detail
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 372