On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range 1,2or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine, which relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents
the brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front,
DISTRONIC PLUS causes your vehicle to
brake and maintain a preset distance to the
vehicle in front. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid designed to
assist driving. The driver remains fully respon-
sible for the vehicle's distance from other
vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for braking
in good time.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react in particular
to:
R pedestrians
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front,e .g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line. Therefore,
always pay attention to traffic conditions even
when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Other-
wise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions. If DISTRONIC doe snot
recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle
in front, do not activate DISTRONIC or, if it is
already active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R before corners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to a lane with faster moving
traffic
R in complex driving situations or where lanes
are diverted, e.g. at roadworks on a motor-
way
DISTRONIC PLUS otherwise maintains the
current speed set by you or accelerates up to
the set speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of
weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, DISTRONIC PLUS:
R if the roads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip when
braking or accelerating. The vehicle could
start to skid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tance control may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognise dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
! You must deactivate the radar sensor sys-
tem in certain countries and near radio
telescope facilities. You will find further
information under "Radar sensor system"
in the index.
The radar sensor system is automatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 363).
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor system must be activated
(Y page 226) and operational. Driving systems
165Driving and parking Z
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving
vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed,
but only up to the desire
dspeed you have
stored. G
WARNING
If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.
DISTRONIC PLUS then no longer brakes your
vehicle. In such cases, control the distance
from vehicles travelling in fron twith the brake
alone. You could otherwise cause an accident
and thereby injure yourself and others. The
drive rremains fully responsible for the vehi-
cle's distance from other vehicles, the speed
being driven and for braking in good time.
Changing lanes
If you wish to change to the passing lane (in
countries where traffic drives on the right, the
passing lane is the left-hand lane), DIS-
TRONIC PLUS supports you if:
R you are driving faster than 60 km/h.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the dis-
tance to a vehicle in front.
R you switch on the appropriate turn signals.
R DISTRONIC PLUS does not detec tadanger
of collision.
If these conditions are met, your vehicle is
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted
if changing lanes takes too long or if the dis-
tance between your vehicle and the vehicle in
fron tbecomes too small. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only an aid designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention .The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings. Oth-
erwise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. Vehicles with COMAND Online
i
The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS uses additional information
from your navigation system so that it can
react appropriately to certain traffic situa-
tions. This is the case if, while following a
vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you:
R approach or drive through aroundabout
R approach a T junction
R turn off at a motorway exit
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the detec-
tion range, DISTRONIC PLUS temporarily
maintains the current driving speed and does
not accelerate. This is based on the current
map data in the navigation system. Example: roundabout
The current speed is maintained:
R
approximately 10 seconds before the
roundabout/T junction and for approx-
imately 1.5 seconds when driving on the
roundabout
R approximately 12 seconds before reaching
a motorway exit and approximately 4sec-
onds after the motorway exit
Afterwards, the vehicle accelerates back to
the set speed you specified.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. 168
Driving systemsDriving and parking
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
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
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the drive
rinthe
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the driver's door is closed or if your seat
belt is fastened.
R the parking brake is not applied.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the selector lever is in position D,Ror Non
vehicles with automatic transmission.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal. Example: vehicles with automatic transmission X
Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until HOLD display
:appears in the multi-
function display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R
you accelerate. The transmission is in posi-
tion Dor Ron vehicles with automatic
transmission.
R the transmission is in position Pon vehicles
with automatic transmission.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD disappears
from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the park-
ing brake and must not be used for parking. Driving systems
177Driving and parking
Z
Guide lines
;and =show the approximate
distance to the rear area. Yellow guide
line ;indicates a distance of approximately
1. 0ma nd red guide line =indicates a dis-
tance of approximately 0.25 m. The distances
only apply to objects tha tare at ground level.
Blue guide lines :depict the width required
for the vehicle. They are used to align the
vehicle with the edge of the carriageway, e.g.
the kerb. ATTENTION ASSIST
Important safety notes ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous journeys such as on motorways
and trunk roads. It is active in the 80 km/h
to 180 km/h range.
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical indica-
tors of fatigue or increasing lapses in con-
centration on the part of the driver, it sug-
gests taking a break. G
WARNING
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid and may
detect yourt iredness or lapses in concentra-
tion too late or not at all. It is not asubstitute
for a well rested and attentive driver.
Fatigue may cause you to recognise hazard-
ous situations too late, misjudge a situation
or react slower. For this reason, make sure
you feel rested before you begin driving and
during your journey. Always take breaks in
good time and regularly, especially during
long journeys. Otherwise, you may fail to rec-
ognise dangers in time, cause an acciden tand
injure yoursel fand others.
ATTENTIO NASSIST assesses your level of
fatigue or lapses in concentration by taking
the following criteria into account:
R your personal driving style, e.g. steering
characteristics
R driving conditions, e.g. time, driving time The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R
if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the sur-
face is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong sid ewind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 80 km/h or faster than 180 km/h
R if you are currently using COMAND Online
or making a telephone call with it
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction display Example: vehicles with automatic transmission
X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 222).
Symbol :appears in the multifunction
display.
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after your
journey has begun. You will the nhear an
intermittent warning tonet wice, and the
Attention Assist: Drowsiness detec‐ ted message appears in the multifunction
display.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the abutton to confirm th emes-
sage.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good
time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST 188
Driving systemsDriving and parking
still detects typical indicators of fatigue or
increasing lapses in concentration, you will be
warned againa fter 15 minutes at the earliest.
ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you con-
tinue you rjourney and it starts assessing your
tiredness again if:
R you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break. Speed Limit Assist
Important safety notes i
Speed Limit Assist is not operational in all
countries.
Speed Limit Assist shows you detected speed
limits in the multifunction display .Data from
the navigation system is also used for this
purpose. The display appears if a traffic sign
indicating a speed limit or the end of a speed
limit is detected. If Speed Limit Assist does
no td etec tany traffic signs, the speed limit
from the digital road ma pis taken and shown
in the display.
Speed Limit Assist detects the traffic signs
with a camera at the top of the windscreen. :
Speed Limit Assist camera G
WARNING
Speed Limit Assist is only an aid and may
detect speed limit signs incorrectly or not at
all. The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray.
R there is glare, e.g. from the sun or from
oncoming traffic.
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up or cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity
of the camera.
R the traffic signs are covered, for instance
by dirt, snow or trees.
R the traffic signs are poorly illuminated.
R there are ambiguous traffic signs, for
instance near roadworks or on multi-lane
roads.
Traffic signs always have priority over the
Speed Limit Assist display. Speed Limit Assist
cannot detect road and traffic conditions. It is
not a substitute for attentive driving.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourselfa nd others.
Information in the multifunction display Example
:vehicles featurin gautomatic transmis-
sion with a selecto rlever
: Traffic sign indicating aspeed limit or the
end of a speed limit
; Speed Limit Assist is available and the
warning function is switched on in the on-
board computer
= Units used in the traffic sign displayed Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z
Briefly showing detecte
dtraffic signs in
the multifunction display
When you activate the Speed Limi tAssist
warning function, a traffic sign indicating the
speed limit or end of speed limit zone :may
appearint he multifunction display. The traffic
sign appears for approximately five seconds
as soon as it is detected. Any other informa-
tion in the multifunction display is hidden for
this period.
X Activate the Speed Limit Assist warning
function using the on-board computer
(Y page 220).
Symbol ;appears.
Permanently showing detected traffic
signs in the multifunction display
If Speed Limit Assist is selected in the on-
board computer, a traffic sign indicating the
speed limit or end of a speed limit zone :
appears in the multifunction display as soon
as it is detected.
Traffic sign indicating aspeed limit :is gen-
erally displayed until:
R a traffic sign indicating the end of the speed
limit is detected.
R you make a turn.
R you leave or enter a city or town.
R the road type changes (e.g. motorway,
country road).
R you have travelled a certain minimum dis-
tance without the traffic sign being repea-
ted or detected again.
X Display Speed Limit Assist using the on-
board computer (Y page 220).
i You can also activate Speed Limit Assist
on COMAND Online. The maximum permis-
sible speed is then displayed in the
COMAND Online display; see the COMAND
Online operating instructions. Lane Tracking package
General notes The Lane Tracking package consists of Blind
Spot Assist (Y
page 190) and Lane Keeping
Assist (Y page 192).
Blind Spot Assist Important safety notes
Blind Spot Assist uses a radar senso rsystem
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. Blind Spot Assis tprovides assistance
at speeds higher than 30 km/h. A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to detected vehicles in the moni-
tored area. If you then switch on the corre-
sponding turn signal to change lane, you will
also receive a visual and acoustic collision
warning. The Blind Spot Assist monitoring
system uses sensors in the rear bumper. G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid designed to
assist driving. It may fail to detect some vehi-
cles and is no substitute for attentive driving.
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and traf-
fic conditions. It may fail to detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
only detect them too late.
Monitoring may be affected by dirty sensors,
strong spray or poor visibility caused by snow,
rain or mist, for example. In this case, vehicles
are detected late or not at all.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
yours urroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognise dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
The radar sensor system is automatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 363).
For Blind Spo tAssist to assist you when driv-
ing, the radar sensor system must be activa-
ted (Y page 226) and operational. 190
Driving systemsDriving and parking