
RACE START is deactivated when a speed of
approximately 30 mph (Canada: 50 km/h) is
reached. Drive program  S+ is activated.
SPORT handling mode remains activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The
multifunction display shows the  RACE START 
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a
certain distance.
AIRMATIC
General information
i AIRMATIC is available only for the E 550
and E 550 4MATIC models. 
Vehicle level 
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically. All-round self-leveling ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
R normal.
R raised: the vehicle is raised above the
normal level by 0.80 in (20 mm).
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered beyond the
normal level by 0.40 in (10 mm).
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
( Y  page 192)
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.GWarning!
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
Setting raised level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp  ; is not lit:
XPress button  :.
Indicator lamp  ; lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The  Vehicle Rising  message appears in
the display.
The "Raised Level" setting is canceled if you:
R drive at speeds above approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive about 3 minutes at speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised Level" setting remains saved
when you are not driving within these speed
ranges.
Setting normal level
XStart the engine.Driving systems191Driving and parkingBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 191Z  

If indicator lamp ; is lit:XPress button  :.
Indicator lamp  ; goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning 
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button  :.
Indicator lamp  ; lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The  AIRMATIC SPORT  message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.XPress button  :.
Indicator lamp  = lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The  AIRMATIC COMFORT  message appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports
suspension
General notes
i AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension
is available for the E 63 AMG model. 
Rear axle level control 
The vehicle automatically sets the vehicle
level at the rear axle. Rear axle self-leveling
ensures the best possible suspension and
ensures that the ground clearance remains
constant, even when the vehicle is loaded.
This improves driving safety and fuel
consumption.
Suspension tuning 
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Sport or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the suspension setting
reverts to Comfort mode.
192Driving systemsDriving and parking
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 192  

Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button  : once.
Indicator lamp  ? lights up. Sport
suspension mode has been selected.
The  AMG Suspension System SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps  = and  ? are off:
XPress button  : twice.
Both indicator lamps  = and  ? light up.
Sport + suspension mode has been
selected.
The  AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.
If indicator lamp  ? lights up:
XPress button  : once.
Second indicator lamp  = lights up. Sport +
suspension mode has been selected.
The  AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction
display.Comfort mode
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. highways.XPress button  : repeatedly until indicator
lamps  = and  ? go out.
Comfort suspension mode has been
selected.
The  AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button  ;.
XTo store:  press AMG button  ; until you
hear a tone.XTo call up:  press AMG button  ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.XTo display:  briefly press AMG button  ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
Driving systems193Driving and parkingBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 193Z  

Resetting values
You can reset the values of the following
functions:
R Trip odometer
R Trip computer "From start"
R Trip computer "From reset"
XPress  = or ;  on the steering wheel
to select the  Trip menu. XPress  9 or :  to select the function
that you wish to reset.XPress  a.
Resetting the trip computer "From start" (example)
XPress the  : button to select  Yes and
press the  a button to confirm.
AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays
XPress  = or ;  on the steering wheel
to select the  AMG menu. :Digital speedometer;Gear indicator=Upshift instruction?Engine oil temperatureACoolant temperature 
Shift  UP instruction  = indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program. Shift
up  instruction  = overrides other messages
in the multifunction display until you have
shifted up.
When the engine temperature is below
80 †, the oil temperature gauge flashes.
Avoid driving at full engine output during this
time.
SETUP
SETUP shows the drive program, the ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode and the
SPORT handling mode. 
XPress  = or ;  on the steering wheel
to select the  AMG menu.XPress the  9 button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
or
XBriefly press the AMG button on the center
console.Menus and submenus221On-board computer and displaysBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 221Z    

:Drive program (C/S/S+/M);ESP®
 mode ( ON/OFF ) or SPORT handling
mode ( SPORT)3Suspension tuning ( COMFORT/SPORT /
SPORT+ )
RACETIMER
Displaying and starting RACETIMER
GWarning
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
You can use the RACETIMER to store lap
times.
When RACETIMER is displayed, you cannot
adjust the volume using the  W and X
buttons on the steering wheel.
XPress  = or ;  on the steering wheel
to select the  AMG menu.XPress the  9 button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.:RACETIMER;Lap
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the SmartKey is in
position  2 in the ignition lock.
XTo start:  press the  W button to start the
RACETIMER.XTo display the intermediate time:  press
X  to show the intermediate time.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.XTo stop:  press the  W button to stop the
RACETIMER.
The RACETIMER interrupts timing when you
stop the vehicle and turn the SmartKey to
position  1 in the ignition lock. When you turn
the SmartKey to position  2 or  3 and then
press the  W button, timing is continued.
Storing the lap time and starting a new lap
It is possible to store a maximum of sixteen
laps.
XPress the  X button on the steering
wheel to show the intermediate time during
timing.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.XPress the  X button again within five
seconds.
The displayed intermediate time is stored
as a lap time.
Timing starts for a new lap. The new lap is
timed from when the intermediate time is
called up.222Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 222   

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsä
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
 or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.XRelease the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.XDo not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 67).å
The yellow ESP ®
 OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. GRisk of accident
ESP ®
 is deactivated. ESP ®
 will not stabilize the vehicle if it starts
to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
XReactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 67).XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
 cannot be activated:
XHave ESP ®
 checked at a qualified specialist workshop.M  (E 63 AMG only)
The yellow SPORT
handling mode warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. GRisk of accident
SPORT handling mode is activated. ESP ®
 only stabilizes the vehicle
in extreme situations. ESP ®
 intervention may not be able to
provide sufficient assistance in such situations, and the vehicle
may start to skid.
XReactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: ( Y page 67).
If ESP ®
 cannot be activated:
XHave ESP ®
 checked at a qualified specialist workshop.266Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 266 

your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. You may
be charged for services such as repair work
and/or towing. Further details are available
in your mbrace manual.
i If the indicator lamp in MB info call
button  : flashes continuously and it was
not possible to establish a voice
connection to the Response Center, then
the mbrace system has failed to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the
corresponding cellular phone network is
not available). The  Call Failed message
appears in the multifunction display.XTo end a call:  press the ~ button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XPress the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on COMAND.
i Sign and Drive services 29
: you are not
charged for services such as jump-starting,
providing a few gallons of fuel for a fuel tank
that has been run dry or changing a flat tire
with the vehicle's own spare tire.
MB Info call button
XPress and hold MB info call button  : for
more than two seconds.
A call to the Response Center is initiated.
MB info call button indicator lamp  :
flashes while the connection is beingestablished. The  Connecting Call
message appears in the multifunction
display and COMAND is muted.
If a connection can be established, the  Call 
Connected  message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a mobile phone network is available and
there is sufficient GPS reception, the mbrace
system transmits data to the Response
Center, for example:
R current location of the vehicle
R vehicle identification number
R vehicle model
R vehicle color
i The COMAND display shows that an
mbrace call is active. You can switch to the
navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on COMAND during the call. Spoken
commands are not available.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the vehicle occupants is
established. You can obtain information on
how to operate your vehicle's systems, on the
location of the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center, and on further products and
services offered by Mercedes-Benz USA.
Further details on the mbrace system can be
found under  http://www.mbusa.com 30
.
Log in under "Owners Online".
i If the indicator lamp in MB info call
button  : flashes continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center
has been established, then the mbrace
system has failed to initiate an MB info call
(e.g. the corresponding mobile phone
network is not available). The  Call 
Failed  message appears in the
multifunction display.
29 USA only.
30 USA only.298FeaturesLoading, stowing and features
BA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 298  

XVersion 2: stow connector  = and the air
hose in the lower section of the pump
housing.XStow the electric air pump in the
designated place in the vehicle.
Lowering the vehicle
GWarning!
Vehicles with spare wheel with collapsible tire
only: Inflate collapsible tire only after the
wheel is properly attached.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump  before lowering the vehicle.
XTurn the crank of the jack counter-
clockwise until the vehicle is once again
standing firmly on the ground.XPlace the jack to one side.XTighten the wheel bolts evenly in a
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated ( : to  A). The tightening torque
must be  96 lb-ft (130 Nm) .GRisk of accident
Have the tightening torque checked
immediately after a wheel is changed. The
wheels could come loose if they are not
tightened to a torque of  96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
XTurn the jack back to its initial position and
store it together with the rest of the vehicle
tool kit in the trunk/cargo compartment.XAMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG 
equipment:  insert the cover into the outer
sill.
Vehicles with an emergency spare wheel:
XTransport the faulty wheel in the trunk/
cargo compartment.
or
XDepending on the size of the wheel, you
may also be able to secure the faulty wheel
in the spare wheel well. In this case, you
will have to remove the stowage well casing
from the spare wheel well and stow it
securely in the trunk/cargo compartment.
Further information on stowing the
collapsible spare wheel ( Y page 326).
i When you are driving with the collapsible
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
loss warning system or the tire pressure
monitor cannot function reliably. Only
restart the tire pressure loss warning
system/tire pressure monitor when the
defective wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: all
mounted wheels must be equipped with
functioning sensors and the defective
wheel should no longer be in the vehicle.
MOExtended run-flat system
The MOExtended run-flat system allows you
to drive on even if there is a complete loss of
pressure in one or more tires.
The MOExtended run-flat system may only be
used in conjunction with the activated tire
pressure loss warning system or with the
activated tire pressure monitor.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode depends on the
cargo in the vehicle. You can drive 50 miles
(80 km) if the vehicle is partially laden and
18 miles (30 km) if it is fully laden.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
Flat tire337Roadside AssistanceBA 212 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 5, en-USdimargiVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T13:33:46+02:00 - Seite 337Z