2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SUV brake sensor

The radar sensor system must be switched off
using the on-boar dcomputer in the vicinit yof
radio telescop efacilities in the following vehi-
cles:
R vehicles without COMAND Online and nav-
igation
R vehicles without Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP PILOT
R vehicles for Australia
Information about switching off the rad ar sen-
so rs ystem using the on-board computer can
be found in the "On-board computer and dis-
plays “section (Y page 249).
For PRE- SAFE®
Brake to assist you whe ndriv-
ing ,the radar sensor system must be
switc hed on (Y page 249) an dbeopera-
tional.
Followin gdamage to the fron tend of the vehi-
cle ,havet he configuration and operation of
the radar sensors checked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applie stoc olli-
sions at slow speeds where ther eisnovisible
damage to the fron tofthe vehicle. STEE
RCONTROL
The steering assistan tSTEE RCONTROL helps
you by transmittin ganoticeable steering
force to the steering wheel in the direction
required for vehicle stabilisation.
This steering assistance is provided in partic-
ular if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels ar eon
aw et or slippery road surface when you
brake
R the vehicle starts to skid
You have control over the steerin gatall
times. G
WARNING
If there is an ESP ®
malfunction, you will not
receiv eany steering assistance from the
STEER CONTROL. The steering continues to
function with steering assistance. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobilise rprevents your vehicl efrom
being starte dwithout the correct key.
X To activate with the key: removethe key
from the ignition lock.
X To activate wit hKEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver' sdoor.
X To deactivate: switchont he ignition.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you star tthe engine. ATA (Anti-Thef
tAlarm system)
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is prime dand you ope n:
R ad oor
R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R the tailgate
R the bonnet
The alar misnot switched off ,even if you
close th eopen door that has triggere dit, for
example. X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately 15 sec-
onds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key or KEYL ESS-GO.68
Anti-thef
tsystemsSafety

Usefu
linfor mati on
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviation sare possible .Please
not ethat your vehicle ma ynot be equipped
with all featur es described. This also
applies to safety-releva ntsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 24).Key
Key functions
Locking and unlocking centr ally The key centrally locks/unlocks:
R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap G
WAR
NING
Only for the Unite dKingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key or with KEY-
LESS-GO, the double lock function is activa-
ted as standard. It is then not possible to open
the doors from inside the vehicle.
Therefore, do not leave any people behind in
the vehicle, particularly children ,elderly peo-
ple or people requirin gspecial assistance. As
ar esult, they may not be able to free them-
selves in the event of an emergency. They
could be seriously or even fatally inju redby
prolonged exposure to extremely high or low
temperatures, for example. In this case, res-
cuin gpeople from outside the vehicle is diffi-
cult.
Deac tivate th einterior motion sensor before
you lock the vehicle. The doors can then be
opened from the inside after the vehicl ehas
been locked from the outside. G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open adoor from inside the vehicle at any
time, even if it has been locked
R star tthe vehicle usin gakey which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the electric parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Alway stake the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for ashort time. G
WARNING
If ak ey rin gistoo heavy or too large, the
weight actin gonthe key coul dcause it to turn
in the ignition lock or catc honthe steering
wheel. This coul dcause the engine to be
switched off suddenly. You may lose control
of the vehicle and cause an accident. Do not
attac hany heavy or large key rings to the key
that is inserted in the ignition. :
& To lock the vehicle
; F To open/clos ethe tailgate
= % To unlock the vehicle
When unlocking, the tur nsignals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
When it is dark, the surroun dlighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page 248).
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible 72
KeyOpening and clos
ing

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engin
ecannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting ,and try to start the engine again.
If this doe snot work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 343).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 348).
or
X Consult aqualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started using KEYLESS-
GO. The key is in the
vehicle. Ad
oor is open. Therefore, the key can notb ed etected as easily.
X Close the door and tr ytostart the vehicle again. There is interferenc
efrom apowerfu lsource of radio waves.
X Start your vehicle with the key in the ignition lock. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only fo rthe Unite dKingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key or with KEY-
LESS-GO, the double lock func tion is activa-
ted as standard. It is then not possible to open
the doors from inside the vehicle.
Therefore, do not leav eany people behind in
the vehicle, particularly children, elderly peo-
ple or people requiring special assistance .As
ar esult, they may not be able to free them-
selves in the event of an emergency. They
could be seriously or even fatally injured by
prolonged exposur etoextremely hig horlow
tempera tures, for example. In this case ,res-
cuin gpeople from outside the vehicle is diffi-
cult.
Deac tivate the interior motion sensor before
you lock the vehicle .The doors can then be
opened from the insid eafter the vehicl ehas
been locked from the outside. G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open adoor from inside the vehicle at any
time, even if it has been locked
R star tthe vehicle usin gakey which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the electric parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Alway stake the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for ashort time. Unlocking and opening th
edoors
from the inside
For all countries except the United King-
dom: you can open adoor from inside the
vehicle even if it has been locked.
Only for th eUnited Kingdom: if the vehicle
has been locked with the key or with KEY-
LE SS-G O, the doubl elock function is activa-
ted as standard. It is then not possible to open Doors
77Opening and closing Z

Brake lamp
X
Switch off the lights.
X Ope nthe luggage compartment.
X Open the service fla p(Ypage 115). :
Brake lamp
X Turn the bulb holder anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Remov ethe bulb from the bulb holder.
X Insert the new bulb int othe bulb holder.
X Insert the bulb holder and tur nitclockwise.
X Close the servic eflap (Y page 115). Windscreen wipers
Switching the windscreen wipers on/
off G
WARNING
The windscreen will not longer be wiped prop-
erly if the wiper blades are worn. This could
preven tyou from observing the traffic condi-
tions, thereby causing an accident .Replace
the wiper blades twic eayear, ideally in spring
and autumn.
! Do not operate the windscreen wipers
when the windscreen is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover ,dust
that has collected on the windscreen can
scratc hthe glass if wipin gtakes place when
the windscreen is dry. !
If the windscreen wipers leave smears on
the windscreen after the vehicle has been
washe dinana utomatic car wash, this may
be due to wax or other residue. Clea nthe
windscreen with washer fluid after an auto-
matic car wash. Combination switch
1
$ Windscreen wiper soff
2 Ä Intermittent wipe, low 7
3 Å Intermittent wipe, high 8
4 ° Continuous wipe, slow
5 ¯ Continuous wipe, fast
B í Single wipe
C î To wip ewith washer fluid
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X Turn the combination switch to the appro-
priate position or press the button on the
side.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windscreen
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windscreen wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could damage the wind-
screen wiper blades or scratc hthe wind-
screen.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windscreen wiper sind ry weather.
In the ÄorÅ position, th eappropriate
wiping frequenc yisset automatically accord-
ing to the intensity of the rain. In the Å
7 Rain sensor set to low sensitivity.
8 Rain sensor set to high sensitivity. 116
Windscreen wipersLights and windscreen wipers

G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS canno ttake account of road
and traffic conditions. If DISTRONI Cdoes not
recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle
in front, do not activate DISTRONIC or, if it is
alr eady active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R befor ecorners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to alane with faster moving
traffic
R in comple xdriving situations or where lanes
are diverte d,e.g. at roadworks on amotor-
way
DISTRONIC PLU Sotherwise maintains the
current spe ed setbyyou or accelerates up to
the set speed.
DISTRONIC PLU Scannot take account of
weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, DISTRONI CPLUS:
R if th eroads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy .The wheels coul dlose their grip when
brakin goraccelerating .The vehicle could
star ttos kid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poo rvis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tance control may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when DISTRONIC PLU Sisactivate d.
Otherwise, you ma yfail to recognise dangers
in time, caus eanaccident and injure yourself
and others. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brake syourvehicle up to a
maximu mof4m /s2
depending on its speed.
This corresponds to approximately 40% of
your vehicle's maximum braking power. You
must als oapply the brakes yourself if this
braking power is not sufficient.
If DISTRONI CPLUS detects arisk of collision
with avehicle in front, an intermit tent warning
tone sounds. In addition, the ·distance
warning lamp in the instrument cluste rlights
up. Brak etoavoidac ollision. G
WAR
NING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by othe rmeans (e.g. in acar wash or
by towing).
The radar senso rsystem is automatically
deactivated near radio teles cope facilities
(Y page 38 0).
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor syste mmust be activated
(Y page 249 )and operational.
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automati cally helps you maintain the dis-
tanc etot he vehicle detected in front. It
brakes automatically in orde rtoavoid
exceedi ngthe set speed.
On long and stee pdownhil lgradients, espe-
ciall yifthe vehicle is laden or towing atrailer,
yo um ust select shift range 1,2or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effec tofthe engine. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
If DI STRONIC PLUS detects aslower-moving
vehicle in front ,your vehicle is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle
in front.
If ther eisnov ehicle in front ,DISTRONIC
PLUS operate sinthe sam eway as cruise
control in the spee drange between
30 km/h and 200 km/h. If avehicle is driving
in fron tofyou, DI STRONIC operates in the
speed range betwee n0km/h and
200 km/h.
Do not us eDISTRONIC PLUS on roa dswith
steep gradients. Driving systems
175Drivingand parking Z

PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes G
WARNING
PARKTRONI Cisonly an aid and may not
detect all obstacles .Itisnotas ubstitute for
attentive driving.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could otherwis eendanger
yourself and others. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visual lyand
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically if
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmissio ntoposition D,Ror N
R release the electric parkin gbrake
PARKTRONIC is deactivate datspeeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
PARKTRONI Cmonitor sthe area around your
vehicle usin gsix sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. :
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-han dside Range of the sensors Genera
lnotes
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise, they may not func tion cor-
rectly. Clean the sensor sregularly, taking
car enot to scratc hordamage them
(Y page 327). Side view
Top view
Front sensors
Centre approximately 100 cm
Corners approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre approximately 120 cm
Corners approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the Driving systems
191Drivingand parking Z

vehicle. Yo
ucould dam aget he vehicle or
the objects.
The sensor smay not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasonic sources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, alorry's compressed-air brakes
or ap neumatic drill, coul dcause PARK-
TRONI Ctom alfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not fun ctioncorrectly on
uneven terrain.
Minimum distance Centre approxima
tely 20 cm Corners approximately 15 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevan twarning displays light up and awarn-
ing ton esounds. If th edistanc efalls below
the minimum, the distanc emay no longer be
shown.
Warning displays The warning displays show the distan
ce
between th esensor sand the obstacle. The
warning display for the fron tarea is located
on th edashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
roof lamp in the rear compartment. Warning display for the front area
: Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
; Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
= Segments sho wingoperational readiness The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into fiv
eyellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONI Cisoperational if yellow
segment sshowing oper ational readiness =
light up.
The selected transmission position and the
direction in which the vehicle is rolling deter-
mine which warning display is activ ewhen the
engin eisrunning. Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R,
Nor the vehicle
is rolling back-
wards Rea
rand front areas
activated P
No area
sactivated One or more segment
slight up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you wil lhear an
intermitten twarnin gtonef or approx-
imately two seconds.
R seven thsegment onwards, you will hear a
warnin gtonef or approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimu mdistance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC :
Indicator lamp
; To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC 192
Drivin
gsystemsDrivin gand parking

The warnin
gvibration occur searlier if:
R you approach the outer lane markin gona
bend.
R the road has ver ywide lanes, e.g. amotor-
way.
R the system recognises solid lane markings.
The warnin gvibration occur slater if:
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you cut the corner on abend. Active Driving Assistance package
General notes The Active Drivin
gAssistanc epackage con-
sists of DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 174), Active
Blind Spot Assis t(Ypage 212) and Active
Lan eKeeping Assist (Y page 215).
Active Blind Spot Assist Important safety notes
Active Blin dSpot Assist uses aradar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your vehi-
cle which are in back of the driver. Awarning
display in the exter iormirror sdraws your
attention to vehicles detected in the moni-
tored area. If you then switch on the corre-
sponding turn signal to change lane, you will
also receive an optical and audible collision
warning. If arisk of lateral collision is detec-
ted, corrective brakin gmay help you avoid a
collision. To support the course-correcting
brake application, Active Blind Spot Assist
also uses the forward-facin gradar senso rsys-
tem. Active Blind Spot Assist supports you
from aspeed of approximately 30 km/h. G
WARNING
Active Blin dSpot Assist is only an aid and may
detect vehicles/obstacles incor rectly or not
at all. Th
es ystem may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poo rvisibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray.
R the rear and/or fron tsensors are dirty.
Active Blin dSpot Assist may not detect nar-
row vehicles, such as motor cycles or bicycles,
or only detect the mtoo late. It can notd etect
vehicles which are overtaken at asmall dis-
tance and then enter th eblind spot area.
Active Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road
and traffic conditions. It is not asubstitute for
attentive driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed, braking in good time, and
steering correctly. Always adapt your driving
style to suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions. Always pay attention to traffic
conditions and your surroundings. Otherwise,
you may fail to recognise dangers in time,
cause an accident and injure yourself and oth-
ers.
The radar sensor syste misautomatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 380).
For Active Blind Spot Assis ttoassist you
when driving, the radar sensor syste mmust
be activated (Y page 249)and operational.
Monitoring range
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to three metres behind your vehicl eand
directl ynext to your vehicle as shown in the
diagram. For this purpose, Active Blin dSpot
Assist uses rada rsensors in the rear bumper. 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking