The Distronic regulates only the distance
between your vehicle and those directly
ahead of it, but does not register stationary
objects in the road, e.g.:
R
a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam
R a disabled vehicle
R an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means of
steering or braking the vehicle. G
Warning!
The Distronic should not be used in snowy or
icy road conditions.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty Distronic system sensor
cover (located in the hood grille), especially
at times of snow and ice or heavy rain.
In such a case, the Distronic will switch off,
and the message DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable – See Operator’s Manual
appears in the multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic system
sensor cover, see (Y page 219).
i If the message DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable – See Operator’s
Manual disappears during driving and the
last set speed flashes for approximately
5 seconds, the dirt (e.g. slush) has
dissolved; the Distronic works again.
Turns and bends In turns or bends, the Distronic may not
detect a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect one too soon. This may cause your
vehicle to brake late or unexpectedly.
Offset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset from
your direct line of travel may not be detected
by the Distronic. There will be insufficient
distance to the preceding vehicle.
Lane changing
The Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle
changing lanes. There will be insufficient
distance to the lane-changing vehicle.
Narrow vehicles136
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Because of their narrow profile, the vehicles
traveling near the outer edges of the lane
have not yet been detected by the Distronic.
There will be insufficient distance to the
preceding vehicles.
Distance warning function
When the Distronic is deactivated, this
function will continue to warn you when
recognizing a stationary obstacle or a slower
vehicle moving in your vehicle’s path and the
danger of a collision exists:
R
The distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on.
R An intermittent warning will sound if
necessary.
If these warnings are issued, you must apply
the brakes to maintain a safe distance and
avoid a collision with the preceding vehicle.
When depressing the brake pedal, the
warning sound ceases. The warning sound
will also cease when the distance to the
preceding vehicle is sufficient again without
applying the brakes. In this case, the distance
warning lamp · will also go out. G
Warning!
If the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or missing
distance warnings. X
Activating/deactivating: Press
switch :.
When the distance warning function is
activated, indicator lamp ; in switch :
comes on. A loudspeaker symbol appears
in the multifunction display ( Y page 132). Airmatic DC (Dual Control)
Introduction The AIRMATIC DC lets you select the chassis
and suspension setup. The chassis and
suspension setup adjusts the damping
behavior and the ride height for your vehicle.
The AIRMATIC DC consists of two
components. The Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) (
Y page 137) and the vehicle level
control ( Y page 138).
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) The fine tuning of the damping is dependent
on
R
your driving style
R road surface conditions
R vehicle loading
R your personal settings Driving systems
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The following vehicle level settings can be selected when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is running:
Vehicle
level when
stationary Indicator
lamp
(Y page
139) Suspension
tuning Use for Ride height
increase
over normal Automatic
lowering
Normal Lamp off Comfort For driving on
normal roads None Max. approx.
0.4 in
(10 mm)
Normal Lamp off Sport 1 or 2 For driving on
normal roads None Max. approx.
0.6 in
(15 mm)
Raised Lamp on Comfort For driving on
rough roads
or with snow
chains Approx.
0.8 in
(20 mm) Max. approx.
1.2 in
(30 mm)
Raised Lamp on Sport 1 or 2 For driving on
rough roads
or with snow
chains Approx.
0.8 in
(20 mm) Max. approx.
1.4 in
(35 mm)
X
Start the engine.
X Briefly press vehicle level control
switch : to change from normal level to
raised level. When the vehicle is in raised
level, pressing vehicle level control
switch : will return the vehicle to normal
level.
The setting raised is canceled and the vehicle
is lowered to the normal level automatically if
the vehicle speed is above 75 mph
(120 km/h) or if the vehicle speed stays
between 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for approximately 5 minutes.
Indicator lamp ; in
vehicle level control switch : goes out.
If you do not drive in this speed range, the
selected vehicle level setting remains stored
in memory even if the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch. Parktronic system
The Parktronic system 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 parking brake Driving systems
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and
R the automatic transmission is in 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 parking brake.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper. Example illustration, sensors in the front bumper
To function properly, sensors
: must be free
of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean
sensors : regularly. Be careful not to
scratch or damage sensors :, see “Cleaning
the driving systems sensors” (Y page 219). G
Warning!
The Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the need
for extreme care. The responsibility during
parking and other critical maneuvers always
remains with the driver. G
Warning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured. !
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts,
elevated crossbars or road curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system
and can damage the vehicle.
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below
the height of the sensors (e.g. street curbs,
painted posts, or trailer hitches etc.). The
Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
! Ultrasonic signals from outside sources
(e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the operation of
the Parktronic system.
Range of the sensors Front sensors
Center approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners approx. 24 in (60 cm)140
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Rear sensors
Center approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners approx. 32 in (80 cm)
Minimum distance
Center approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners approx. 6 in (15 cm)
If the Parktronic system detects an obstacle
in this range, all the distance warning
segments illuminate and you hear a warning
signal. If the obstacle is closer than the
minimum distance, the actual distance may
no longer be indicated by the Parktronic
system.
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate the relative distance
between the sensors and an obstacle.
Front area warning indicators
Rear area warning indicators Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for left
side
: and right side ; of the vehicle. The
Parktronic system is ready to measure when
the yellow readiness indicators = are
illuminated.
The current transmission position determines
which warning indicator will be activated. Current
transmission
position Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N Front and rear area
activated
As your vehicle approaches an object, one or
more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the seventh
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.
R
Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the automatic transmission is shifted
into park position P or the parking brake is
engaged.
R Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the automatic transmission is shifted
into drive position D, or park position P, or
the parking brake is engaged.
Switching the Parktronic system on/
off The Parktronic system switches on
automatically when the ignition is switched
on. Driving systems
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X
Switching off: Press Parktronic
switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
X Switching on: Press Parktronic switch :
again.
Parktronic system malfunction There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system, if only the red distance segments
illuminate and an acoustic warning sounds.
The Parktronic system will switch off
automatically after 20 seconds and indicator
lamp
; in Parktronic switch : comes on.X
Have the Parktronic system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
If only the red distance segments illuminate
and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g. dirt,
ice, snow and slush). Another cause could be
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers). The Parktronic system will
switch off automatically after 20 seconds and
indicator lamp ; in Parktronic switch :
comes on.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(Y page 219).
X Switch on the ignition.
or
X Check the Parktronic system operation at
another location to rule out interference
from outside radio or ultrasonic signals. 142
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:
Vanity mirror lamp
; Mounting
= Sun visor
? Holder, e.g. for gas cards
A Vanity mirror
B Vanity mirror cover
Glare through the windshield X
Flip sun visor = down when you
experience glare.
Glare through a door window X
Close vanity mirror cover B if opened.
X Disengage sun visor = from mounting ;.
X Pivot sun visor = to the side.
Vanity mirror The vanity mirror lamp only functions when
the sun visor is engaged in mounting ;.
X
Flip sun visor = down.
X Lift up vanity mirror cover B.
Vanity mirror lamp : comes on.Rear window sunshade
G
Warning!
When operating the rear window sunshade
make sure there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the extending or retracting
procedure. The extending or retracting procedure can be
immediately halted by briefly pressing rear
window sunshade switch. To reverse direction
of movement, press rear window sunshade
switch again.
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 52. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Extending/Retracting: Press rear
window sunshade switch : briefly. Ashtrays
Center console ashtray X
Opening: Briefly press the marking on the
bottom of cover :.
X Removing ashtray insert: Secure vehicle
from movement by engaging the parking
brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.
X Push sliding knob ; to the right and hold.162
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R
Washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 181)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 182) Engine compartment
Hood
G
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening G
Warning!
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant
temperature indicator indicates that the
engine is overheated, do not open the hood.
Move away from vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department. G
Warning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions. G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades. G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
R with the engine running
R while starting the engine
R when the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually X
Pull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged. X
Push handle ; under the hood upwards.
X Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically. 178
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