2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class Distronic

GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
DISTRONIC mode:
One or two segments around the stored
speed light up.
Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the SmartKey to position 1 in 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;~
6Makes/accepts or rejects/
ends a callW
XSelects submenus in the
Settings menu
Changes values
Adjusts the volume
Operates RACETIMER in AMG
vehicles?Switches on the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions=V
USelects a menu: scrolls back
and forthASwitches off the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions&
*Press briefly:
Scrolls back and forth within a
menu
In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track
or a video scene
In the Telephone menu:
switches to the phone book
and selects a name or a
telephone number&
*Press and hold:
In the Audio menu: selects
the previous/next station or
selects an audio track using
rapid scrolling
In the Telephone menu:
starts rapid scrolling through
the phone bookDisplays and operation205On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 205Z

Menus and submenus
Menu overview
The number of menus shown depends on the optional equipment in the vehicle.
Function:Standard display menu (Y page 208)
R tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only) ( Y page 329)
R tire pressure monitor (USA only) ( Y page 331)
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display ( Y page 287);AMG menu in AMG vehicles ( Y page 209)=Offroad mode menu (Y page 211)?Audio menu ( Y page 211)ANavigation menu (Y page 212)BOffroad menu (Y page 213)
R level control ( Y page 181)
R compass display ( Y page 279)
R differential locks (status indicator) ( Y page 196)CDISTRONIC menu (Y page 173)DMessage memory 29
menu ( Y page 222)ESettings menu (Y page 213)29
The menu is only visible when there is a display message.Menus and submenus207On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 207Z

XPress the . reset button again.
The settings of most functions are restored
to the factory settings.
or
XIf you want to retain the settings, do not
press the . reset button a second time.
After approximately five seconds, the
Settings menu appears again.XPress V or U to select a different
menu.
Instrument cluster
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
This function is only available in Canada.
The Display Unit Speedometer/
Odometer function allows you to choose
whether certain displays appear in km/h or
mph.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R the analog speedometer
R the odometer and the trip odometer
R the trip computer
R the navigation instruction in the
Navigation menu
R DISTRONIC
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress & to select Display Unit
Speedometer/Odometer .XPress the W or X button to select
Km or Miles as the unit of measurement for
distance.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.Selecting the unit of distance for the
digital speedometerXPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress the W or X button to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress the & button to display Display
Unit Digital speedometer .XPress the W or X button to select
Km or Miles as the unit of measurement for
distance.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the language
The Language function allows you to select
the language for the instrument cluster.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress the & button to select Language.XPress the W or X button to select the
desired language.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the status line display
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress & to select Status Line
Display .214Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
BA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 214

Additional functions menu
Switching the distance warning
function on/off
This function is only available with
DISTRONIC.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
Distance Warning function.XPress the W or X button to activate
or deactivate the Distance Warning
system.
When the distance warning function
( Y page 69) is activated, the Ä symbol
is shown in the lower multifunction display.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
Further information about Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 189).
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
Blind Spot Assist function.XPress W or X to switch the Blind
Spot Assist function on or off.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Setting DSR
The DSR Speed function allows you to set the
threshold speed (vehicle speed for driving
downhill) of the DSR ( Y page 192) to a value
between 3 mph (Canada: 4 km/h) and
10 mph (Canada: 18 km/h). The adjustment
is carried out in increments of 1 mph (Canada:
2 km/h).
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
DSR Speed function.XPress the W or X button to set the
desired threshold speed.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Trip computer menu
Trip computer "From start" or "From
reset"
The values in the From Start submenu refer
to the start of your journey, while those in the
From Reset submenu refer to the last time
you reset this submenu.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the trip computer menu.XPress & or * to select From Start
or From Reset .
Trip computer "After start" (example)
:Distance;Time=Average speed?Average fuel consumption
The From Start trip computer is reset
automatically when
R the ignition has been switched off for more
than 4 hours.
R 999 hours have been exceeded.
R 9999 miles have been exceeded.
The From Reset trip computer is
automatically reset if the trip exceeds
9999 hours or 99,999 miles.
Menus and submenus219On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 219Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCruise Control
--- mph A condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
You wanted to save a speed of less than 20 mph (30 km/h).XIf the situation allows, drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and
save the speed.XCheck the activation conditions for cruise control
( Y page 171).DISTRONIC
--- MPH An activation condition for DISTRONIC is not fulfilled.XIf the situation allows, drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and
save the speed.XCheck activation conditions for DISTRONIC ( Y page 173).DISTRONIC
OverrideDISTRONIC is no longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.XTake your foot off the accelerator pedal.DISTRONIC
InoperativeDISTRONIC is faulty or the display has failed.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.DISTRONIC
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualDISTRONIC is deactivated and is temporarily inoperative if:
R the DISTRONIC cover in the radiator grill is dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the radar sensor system has not detected any vehicles or
stationary objects, e.g. traffic signs, for a long time.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
DISTRONIC becomes available again and the display message
disappears when:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the system is within the operating temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the DISTRONIC cover in the radiator grill ( Y page 291).XRestart the engine.GWarning
DISTRONIC cannot take weather conditions into account. Switch off DISTRONIC or do not turn
it on if the sensor is dirty or visibility is diminished as a result of snow, rain or fog. The distance
control may be impaired even before the system is able to detect a dirty sensor. The DISTRONIC
240Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
BA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 240

Currently Unavailable See Operator’s Manual message will be displayed in the
multifunction display and DISTRONIC will be turned off.
Tires
GWarning
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire.
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsTire Pressure
Check TiresGRisk of accident
The tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant
loss in pressure.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XCheck the tires and, if necessary, change the wheel
( Y page 340).XCheck the tire pressures and, if necessary, set to the correct
tire pressure.XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire
pressure is correct ( Y page 329).Check tires,
then restart Run
Flat IndicatorA display message for the tire pressure loss warning system was
shown.XSet the correct tire pressure in all four tires.XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system ( Y page 329).Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe tire pressure loss warning system is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for a few
minutesThe tire pressure monitor is measuring the tire pressure.XDrive on.
The tire pressures appear in the multifunction display after you
have been driving for a few minutes.Display messages241On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 241Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
! d
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are also not available due to a
malfunction.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.d
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 is deactivated.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far down 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 66).d
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.At least one wheel is spinning and ETS (Electronic Traction
System) is deactivated to prevent the brakes on the drive wheels
from overheating.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
ETS switches back on again as soon as the brakes have cooled
down.
The display message disappears and the d warning lamp goes
out.
250Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
BA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 250

Driving systemsProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions·
The red DTR distance
warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in
motion. A warning tone
also sounds.GRisk of accident
A warning is issued if:
R you are approaching a vehicle in front at too great a speed
R DISTRONIC has detected a stationary obstacle in your line of
travel
XBe prepared to brake immediately.XPay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action.
Tires
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsh
USA only:
The yellow combination
low tire pressure
telltale/TPMS
malfunction telltale for
the TPMS is on.GRisk of accident
The TPMS has detected a loss of pressure in at least one of the
tires.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XCheck the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
( Y page 331).XIf necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 340).h
USA only:
The yellow combination
low tire pressure
telltale/TPMS
malfunction telltale for
the TPMS flashes for 60
seconds and then
remains illuminated.The TPMS is faulty.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWarning
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked every other week when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's door B-pillar or, if available, the tire inflation pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster253On-board computer and displaysBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 253Z