2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SUV steering

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).Occupant safety
Important safet
ynotes
Seat belts, together wit hthe Supp lemental
Restrain tSyste m–S RS (Y page 41), are
complementary, co-ordinated restrain tsys-
tems. They reduce the risk of injur yinspe-
cific, pre-defined types of accident situations
and thereby increase occupant safety .How-
ever ,seat belts and airbags generally do not
protec tagainst objec tspenetratin gthe vehi-
cle from the outside.
To ensur ethat the restraint system scan
deliver their full potential protection, make
sure that:
R the seat and head restraint are adjusted
properly (Y page 92).
R the seat belt has been fastened properly
(Y page 47).
R the airbags can inflate unrestricted if
deplo yed (Y page42).
R the steering whee lisadjusted properly
(Y page 92).
R the restraint systems have not been modi-
fied.
i An airba gincrease sthe protection of
vehicle occupants wearing aseat belt. As
such, they are only an additional restraint
system which complemen ts,b ut does not
replace, the seat belt. All vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt correctly at all
times, even if the vehicle is equipped with
airbags. The airbags are not deplo yed inall
types of accidents. For example, if the pro-
tective capacity of correctly fastened seat
belts is not increased by deplo yingthe air-
bags, the airbags will not deploy. Airbag
deploymen tonly provides incre asedpro-
tection if th eseatb eltisw ornc orrect ly
because:
R the sea tbelt helps to keep the vehicle
occupan tinthe best position in relation
to the airbag.
R in ah ead-on collision ,for example, the
seat belt prevents the vehicle occupant
from being propelled towards the point
of impact .Itcan thus reduce the risk of
injury.
In accidents in which an airbag is deployed,
it provides increased protection only if the
seat belt is worn correctly. G
WARNING
If service work is not carried out correctly, the
operating safety of your vehicle may be affec-
ted. This could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and cause an accident. More-
over, the safety systems may no longer be
able to protect you or others as they are
designed to do.
Always have service work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. The workshop
must have the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carr yout the work required.
Mercedes-Ben zrecom mends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety or
on safety-related systems must be carried out
at aq ualified specialist workshop. 40
Occupant safetySafety

Have the airbags replaced at
aqualified spe-
cialist workshop .Otherwi se,o ccupants are
not protecte dbythe airbags in the event of
anothe raccident.
Front airbags Th
ef ront airbags increase protection for the
driver's and front-p assenger' sheada nd
chest. Driver'
sairbag :deploy sinfront of the
st ee ring wheel; front-p assenger airbag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove com-
partment.
They are deployed:
R at the start of an acciden twith ahigh rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that airbag
deploymen tcan offer additional protec tion
to that provide dbytheseat belt
R if th eseat belt is fastened
R independently of other airbag sinthe vehi-
cle
If the vehicle overturns ,the front airbags are
generally not deployed. If the system detec ts
ah igh rate of vehicle deceleration in alongi-
tudinal direction, the front airbags are
deployed.
Front-passenger airbag ;is only activated if
the system determines that the front-
passenger seat is occupied. The 4
PASSENGER AIRBA GOFF indicato rlamp on
the centre console is not lit (Y page 52).
This means that achild restraint system with- out automatic chil
dseat recognition has been
fitted or that achild restraint system with
automatic chil dseat recognition is incorrectly
fitted.
! Do not place heavy object sonthe front-
passenger seat. The system ma ythen
detec tthat the seat is occupied and if there
is an accident ,the restraint system sonthe
front-passenger side could be deployed.
Hav erestraint system sthat hav ebeen trig-
gered replaced.
Driver' skneebag The driver'
skneebag increases protection of
the driver against:
R knee injuries
R thig hinjuries
R lowe rleg injuries Driver's kneebag
:is always deployed along
with the driver' sairbag and inflates under-
neath the steering column.
Sidebags G
WARNING
If you wish to use seat covers, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that, for safety reasons, you
only use seat cover sthat hav ebeen approved
for Mercedes-Ben zvehicles.
The seat cover smust have aspecial tear seam
for sidebags. Otherwise, the sidebags cannot
deploy correctly and would fail to provide the
intended protection in the event of an acci-
dent .Appropriate seat cover scan be 44
Occupant safetySafety

R
ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLU S(Brake Assist Sys tem Plus*)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
(Elec tronic Stability Program)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
R ADAP TIVE BRA KE
R PRE- SAFE ®
Brake
R STEER CONTROL Important safety notes
If yo ufail to adap tyou rd riving style, the driv-
ing safety systems ca nneither reduc ethe risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
Drivi ngsafety systems ar emerely aids
designed to assist driving. You are responsi-
ble for the distance to the vehicle in front ,for
vehicle speed and for brakin gingood time.
Always adapt your drivin gstyle to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions, as
well as the traffic conditions and maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front .Drive
carefully.
i Please note that th edriving safetys ys-
tems described only work as effectively as
possibl ewhen ther eisadequate contact
between the tyres and the road surface.
Pay particula rattention to the information
regarding tyres, recommended minimum
tyre tread depth setc. in the "Wheels and
tyres" sectio n(Ypage 356).
In wintr ydriving conditions ,always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effec tivel yasp ossible. ABS (Anti-loc
kBrak ing System)
Impor tant safety notes i
Observ ethe "Importan tsafety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61). ABS regulates brake pressure in such
away
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from aspeed of about 8km/h
upwards, regardless of road-surfac econdi-
tions. AB Sworksons lippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the vehi-
cle when brakin gand the braking distance
may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to amalfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated. There
is an increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You shoul dalways adapt your drivin gstyle to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.
Braking If ABS intervenes whe
nbraking, yo uwill feel
ap ulsing in the brake pedal.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depressthe
brake pedal with force until the brakin gsit-
uation is over.
X To mak eafull brake application:
depress th ebrake peda lwith full force.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as areminder to take extr acare while
driving. G
WARNING
Do not depress the brake pedal several times
in quick succession (pumping). Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect .You
might otherwise not be able to stop the vehi-
cle in tim eand could cause an accident.
Depres sthe brake pedal firmly and smoothly. Driving safety systems
61Safety Z

Off-road ABS
An AB
Ssystem specifically suited to off -road
ter rain is activated automatically once th eoff-
road program (Y page 222) is activated.
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels
loc kc yclically durin gbraking .The digging-in
eff ect ac hieved in the process red ucesthe
stopping distanc eonoff-road terrain. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brak
eAssist)
i Observ ethe "Importan tsafety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usua lonce you
releas ethe brake pedal. BA Sisd eactivated. G
WARNING
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with ful lbrake boosting
effect. However, braking force is not auto-
matically increased in emergency braking sit-
uations and th estopping distance may
increase. BAS PLU
S(Brak eAssist System Plus)
BA SP LUS is only availabl eonvehicles with
DI ST RONIC PLUS.
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
BAS PLUS assists you in braking during haz-
ardous situations at speeds above 30 km/h
and uses the radar sensor syste mtoevaluate
the traffic situation.
With the hel pofthe radar sensor system ,BAS
PLUS can detect obstacles that are in the path of your vehicl
efor an exte nded period of
time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h ,BAS
PLUS may also detect stationary obstacles,
for example ,stopped or parked vehicles.
Shoul dyou approach an obstacle and BAS
PLU Shas detected arisk of collision, BAS
PLU Scalculates the braking force necessary
to avoid arear-end collision .Should you apply
the brakes forcefully ,BAS PLUS can auto-
matically increase the braking force to alevel
suitabl efor the traffic conditions.
If BA SPLUS demand sparticularly high brak-
ing force, preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)a re activate dsimul-
taneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergenc ybraking situatio nisover.
ABS prevent sthe wheels from locking.
The brakes will wor knormally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R ther eisnol onger any danger of arear-end
collision.
R no obstacl eisdetected in front of your
vehicle.
BAS PLU Sisthen deactivated .Ifyou have
activated DSR (Y page 220), BASPLUS is
likewise deactivated.
Th er adar senso rsystem is switched off auto-
matically in the vicinity of radio telescope
facilities in the following vehicles:
R vehicles with COMAND Online and naviga-
tion
R vehicles with Audio 20 and Becker ®
MAP
PILOT
Becker ®
MAP PILOT must be connected;
see the separate Audio 20 operating
instructions. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

if the vehicle starts to skid or
awheel starts
to spin.
When you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves drivin gstabili ty.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in acuttin gaction, which
provides bet terg rip.
R tractio ncontrol is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides suppor twhen you
bra ke.
If ESP ®
is deactivate dand one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilis ethe vehicle. X
To deactivate: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warnin glamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. G
WARNING
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not availa-
ble due to amalfunction.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle skid-
ding in certain situations.
You shoul dalway sadapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. X
To activate: press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
Off- road ESP® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program (Y page 222)isa ctivated. It
intervene swithadelay if there is oversteering
or understeering, thus improvin gtraction.
ESP ®
traile rstabilisation If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilis ethe vehicle/ trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by brakin gand limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/traile rcombination has stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active abov espeeds of
about 60 km/h. G
WARNING
If road and weather condi tions are poor,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to prevent
the trailer from swerving and will thus be
unable to reduce the risk of an accident .Trail-
ers wit hahigh centr eofgravity can tip over
before ESP ®
can detec tthis.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disable dbecause of amal-
function. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page61).
EBD monitors and control sthe brake pres-
sur eonthe rea rwheels to improv edriving
stab ility while braking. Driving safety systems
65Safety Z

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

Usefu
linfor mation .............................. 92
Correct driver' sseat position ............92
Seats .................................................... 93
Steering wheel .................................... 98
Mir rors ............................................... 100
Memor yfunction .............................. 103 91Seats,
steering wheeland mirrors