i
For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects avehicle in front,
segments ;between speed of the vehicle in
front :and stored speed =light up.
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the multi-
function display General notes
In the Assistance menu (Y
page 220) of the
on-board computer, you can select the dis-
tance display and activat eordeactivate PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deacti-
vated
X Select the Distance display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 221).
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you
will see the following in the multifunction dis-
play: Example: vehicles with automatic transmission
: Symbol for activated PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
; Vehicle in front, if detected
= Distance indicator: current distance to
the vehicle in front
? Specified minimum distance to the vehi-
cle in front; adjustable
A Own vehicle Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is activa-
ted
X
Select the Distance display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 221).
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
After this time, you will see the following in
the multifunction display while DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated: :
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
; Own vehicle
= Specified minimum distance to the vehi-
cle in front; adjustable
? Vehicle in front, if detected
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivate DIS-
TRONIC PLUS:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary. Driving systems
171Driving and parking Z
or
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
If you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, the DIS‐TRONIC PLUS off message is shown in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-
ted if:
R you apply the parking brake.
R you are driving slower than 25 km/h and
there is no vehicle in front, or if the vehicle
in front is no longer detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or if you deactivate ESP ®
.
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition.
R the vehicle is near a radio telescope facility
(Y page 363).
R you switch off the radar sensor system
(Y page 226).
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door is open.
R the vehicle has skidded.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. The DISTRONIC PLUSoff message is shown in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
If the vehicle has been stopped by DISTRONIC
PLUS and a fault occurs in the system, the
Brake immediately message appears in the
multifunction. Depress the brake pedal
immediately so that the vehicle does not roll away.D
ISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated,
and the message disappears.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-
cles when cornering is limited. Yourv
ehicle
may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles travelling on adifferent line DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
travelling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in fron
twill be too short. 172
Driving systemsDriving and parking
G
WARNING
Do not change downf or additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
You can set a variable or permanent limit
speed:
R variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
R permanent for long-term speed restric-
tions, e.g. when driving with winter tyres
fitted (Y page 176) G
WARNING
Speedtronic is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC General notes
With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and vari-
able SPEEDTRONIC.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/hw hile
the engine is running. :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower
speed
A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC
Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC
X Check whether LIM indicator lamp ;is on.
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
selected. G
WARNING
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the limit speed stored.
Only use variable SPEEDTRONIC if you will not
have to accelerate suddenly to a speed above
that stored as the limit speed. You could oth-
erwise cause an accident.
You can only exceed the limit speed stored if
you deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC:
R using the cruise control lever
R by depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown) 174
Driving systemsDriving and parking
It is not possible to deactivate variable
SPEEDTRONIC by braking.
Storing the current speed
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point up :or down ?.
The current speed is stored. For five sec-
onds, the multifunction display shows the
stored speed, e.g. Limit 100 km/h .
Vehicles with the 4-button multifunction
steering wheel: the stored speed is perma-
nently displayed in the status indicator,
e.g. LIM 100 km/h .
Vehicles with a 12-button multifunction
steering wheel: on the speedometer, the
segments from the start of the scale up to
the stored speed are lit up.
Storing the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed G
WARNING
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for the
current driving and traffic situation. Other-
wise, sudden braking could endanger you or
others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up :for a
highers peed or down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired
speed is set. Press the cruise control lever
up : for a higher speed or down ?for a
lower speed. Making adjustments in 1 km/h incre-
ments
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is
set. Press the cruise control lever up :for
a higher speed or down ?for a lower
speed.
Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC
There are several ways to deactivate variable
SPEEDTRONIC:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
deactivated.
Cruise control is selected.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is automatically
deactivated:
R when you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but
only if your curren tspeed does not differ by
more than 20 km/ hfrom the stored speed.
You will hearawarning tone if this is the
case.
R on vehicles with manual transmission, if
you shif tto a higher gear and as a result the
engine speed is too low. G
WARNING
It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed-
tronic by braking.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. Driving systems
175Driving and parking Z
R
is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must shift to a lower gear in good time, or on
vehicles with automatic transmission, select
the shift range 1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips R
Maintain a greater distanc efrom the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly .Ifpossible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. Folding out the ball coupling
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,
you must fold out the ball coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. G
WARNING
Make sure that the ball coupling is engaged,
either in its folded-out or folded-in position,
and that the indicator lamp is off.
Do not turn the release wheel when a trailer
is coupled up. Otherwise, the trailer might
detach. X
To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise and fold down cover ;. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel =anti-clockwise until
the ball coupling releases and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp ?flashes. Trailer towing
201Driving and parking Z
Outside temperature display
The outside temperature display is in the mul-
tifunction display (Y page 212). G
WARNING
At temperatures just above freezing point, the
street may be icy, especially in wooded areas
or on bridges. If you do not adapt your driving
style to the conditions ,the vehicle could skid.
For this reason, adapt your driving style and
speed to the weather conditions.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
Cruise control (Y page 162) activated:
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC (Y page 173) activa-
ted:
The segments light up from the start of the
scale to the selected limit speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 164) activated:
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the vehi-
cle in front and the stored speed light up. Operating the on-board computer
Overview The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. :
Multifunction display
; Switches on LINGUATRONIC; see the sep-
arate operating instructions
= Right control panel
? Left control panel
A Back button
Left control panel =
; R
Calls up the menu and menu bar 9
:
Press briefly:
R
Scrolls through lists
R Selects a submenu or function
R In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track or
a video scene
R In the Tel (telephone) menu:
switches to the phone book and
selects a name or telephone
number Displays and operation (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
211On-board computer and displays Z
Settings menu
Introduction The
Settings menu can be used for:
R changing the instrument cluster settings
R changing the light settings
R changing the vehicle settings
R changing the auxiliary heating settings
R changing the convenience settings
R restoring the factory settings
Instrument cluster Selecting the unit of measurement for dis-
tance
The Display unit Speed-/odometer: function allows you to choose whether cer-
tain displays appear in kilometres or miles.
The selected unit of measurement for dis-
tance applies to:
R the digital speedometer in the Trip menu
R the total distance recorder and the trip
meter
R the trip computer
R the current consumption and the range
R the navigation instruction in the Navi menu
R cruise control
R SPEEDTRONIC
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press the abutton to confirm. X
Press the :or9 button to select the
Display unit Speed-/odometer func-
tion.
You will see the selected setting: km or
miles .
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Switching the additional speedometer
on/off
Only vehicles with manual transmission have
this function.
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is not available.
The Dig. speedom [mph]: function allows
you to choose whether the status area in the
multifunction display always shows the speed
in mph instead of the outside temperature.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press the abutton to confirm.
X Press :or9 to select the Dig. speedo [mph]: function.
You will see the selected setting: on or
off .
X Press the abutton to save the setting.
Selecting the permanent display function
Only vehicles with automatic transmission
have this function.
i Vehicles for the United Kingdom: this
function is not available.
The Permanent display: function allows
you to choose whether the multifunction dis-
play always shows the outside temperature
or the speed in mph.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Settings menu.
X Press the :or9 button to select the
Inst. cluster submenu.
X Press the abutton to confirm. Displays and operation (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
223On-board computer and displays Z
Driving systems (4-butto
nmultifunction steering wheel) Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
HOLD
Off The HOLD function is deactivated
.The vehicle is skidding.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Reactivate the HOLD function later (Y page 177). The HOLD function is deactivated. When the brak
epedal is firmly
depressed, an activation condition is not fulfilled.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
X Check the activation conditions for the HOLD function
(Y page 177). Cruise ctrl. / LIM
inoperative Cruise control and SPEEDTRONIC are malfunctioning.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. Cruise control
- - - km/h A condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
You have tried to store
aspeed below 30 km/h, for example.
X If conditions permit, drive faster than 30 km/h and store the
speed.
X Check the activation conditions for cruise control
(Y page 162). 120 km/h
120 km/h Only for certain countries: the maximum speed has been excee-
ded.
X
Drive slower. Driving systems (12-button multifunction steering wheel)
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
À
Attention Assist:
Drowsiness detec‐
ted Based on specific criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has determined that
the driver is tired or paying less attention.
Awarning tone also
sounds.
X If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so you get
enough rest. À
Attention Assist
inoperative ATTENTION ASSIST has failed.
X
Visi taqualified specialist workshop. 256
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays