
If ESP
®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle .The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrumentc luster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weathe rconditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more drive
torque is also transferred to the wheel or
wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. X
To deactivate: (Ypage 237).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate: (Ypage 237).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action for better
traction. Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode
G
WARNING
Whe nSPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit-
uations described in the following. X
To activate: briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode is designed for driv-
ing on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering char-
acteristics are desired. Driving in SPORT
handling mode requires an extremely quali-
fied and experienced driver who is able to
cope with these critical driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
It may be best to activate SPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the
÷ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilises the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is restricted to a limited
degree and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning of the wheels results in
a cutting action for better traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷OFF message appears in the mul-
tifunctio ndisplay.
Deactivate ESP ®
when driving on designa-
ted roads when the vehicle's own over-
steering and understeering characteristics
are desired. Driving without ESP ®
requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
drive rwho is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
X To activate: briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes out. The ÷ON message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrumen tcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
inter-
venes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available; it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
of the wheels results in a cutting action for
better traction. Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically
.ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example :ifESP®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
traile rstabilisation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing .Trailers with a high centre of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt yourd riving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If yourv ehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressing the brake
firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detec tifthe vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 65 km/h.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64). Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt yourd riving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe informatio nregarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Ypage 279) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 252).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In addi-
tion to the brakin gfunction ,ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD functio n(Ypage 186 )and
hill start assist (Y page 150). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 64).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimise
the ris kofacollisio nwith a vehicle ahead or
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake detects a risk of collision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent a collision without your
intervention.
This function will issue a warning if:
R at speeds of around 30 km/h or more, over
several seconds, the distanc emaintained
to the vehicle travelling in front is insuffi-
cient. The
· distance warning lamp then lights
up in the instrument cluster.
R at a speed of approximately 7km/h or
higher, you very quickly approach a vehicle
in front.
An intermittent warning tone will then
sound and the ·distance warning lamp
will light up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
From a speed of approximately 7km/h, if the
driver and passengers have fastened their
seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can brake the
vehicle automatically at speeds up to approx-
imatel y200 km/h.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause
unnecessary warnings or the unnecessary
intervention of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
You can prevent the intervention of the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake at any time by:
R depressing the accelerato rpedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal.
The braking action of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is
ended automatically if:
R you manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle.
With the help of the radar sensor system,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can detect obstacles that
are in front of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
At speeds up to approximately 70 km/h, PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake can also detect stationary
obstacles such as stopped or parked vehi-
cles. 70
Driving safet
ysystemsSafety

Becker
®
MAP PILOT must be connected;
see the separate operating instructions.
The radar senso rsystem mus tbe switched off
using the on-board computer in the vicinity of
radio telescope facilities 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
For information on switching off the radar
sensor system using the on-board computer,
see (Y page 243).
Following damage to the fron tend of the vehi-
cle, have the configuratio nand operatio nof
the rada rsensors checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the fron tofthe vehicle. Anti-theft systems
Immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
X To activate with the key: remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone can
start the engine if a valid key has been left
inside the vehicle.
i The immobiliser is always deactivated
when you start the engine. ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X
To prime: lock the vehicle with the key or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm sys-
tem is primed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To switch off: unlock the vehicle with the
key or KEYLESS-GO.
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the emergency key ele-
ment
R the boot lid/tailgate
R the bonnet
X To turn th ealarm off with th ekey: press
the % or& button on the key.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
X To stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The key
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Press the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The key must be inside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example. 72
Anti-theft systemsSafety

Changing the settings of the locking
system
You can change the settings of the locking
system. This means that only the driver's door
and the fuel fille rflap are unlocked when the
vehicle is unlocked. This is useful if you fre-
quently travel on your own.
X To change the setting: press and hold
down the %and& buttons on the
key simultaneously for approximately six
seconds until the battery chec klamp
flashes twice ( Ypage 79).
i If the setting of the locking system is
changed within the signal range of the vehi-
cle, pressing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
The key now functions as follows:
X To unlock the driver's door: press the
% button once.
X To unlock centrally: press the%but-
ton twice.
X To lock centrally: press the&button.
The KEYLESS-GO function is changed as fol-
lows:
X To unlock the driver's door: touch the
inner surface of the door handle on the
driver's door.
X To unlock centrally: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle on the front-
passenger door or the rear door.
X To lock centrally: touch the outer sensor
surface on one of the door handles.
X To restore the factory settings: press
and hold down the %and& buttons
simultaneously for approximately six sec-
onds until the battery check lamp flashes
twice (Y page 79). Emergency key element
General notes If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the key, use the emergency
key element.
If you use the emergenc
ykey element to
unlock and open the driver's door or the boot
lid/tailgate, the anti-thef talarm system will
be triggered (Y page 72).
There are several ways to tur noff the alarm:
X To turn the alarm off with the key: press
the % or& button on the key.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
or
X To deactivate the alarm with KEYLESS-
GO: press the Start/Stop button in the igni-
tion lock. The key must be in the vehicle.
or
X Lock or unlock the vehicle using KEYLESS-
GO. The key must be outside the vehicle.
If you unlock the vehicle using the emergency
key element, the fuel filler flap will not be
unlocked automatically.
X To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
key into the ignition lock.
Removing the emergency key element :
Release catch
; Emergency key element 78
KeyOpening and closing

:
Front left
; Front right
= Rear right
? Rear left
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X To open: press the corresponding switch.
X To close: pull the corresponding switch.
i If you press the switch beyond the point
of resistance, an automatic opening/clos-
ing process is started in the corresponding
direction. You can stop automatic opera-
tion by pressing again.
i You can continue to operate the side win-
dows afte rswitching off the engine or
removing the key. This function remains
active for five minutes or until the driver's
or front-passenger door is opened.
i The side windows cannot be operated
fro mt he rear when the override feature for
the side windows is activated (Y page 63).Convenience opening feature
General notes You can ventilate the vehicle before you start
driving. To do this, the key is used to carry out
the following functions simultaneously:
R
unlock the vehicle
R open the side windows R
open the sliding sunroof
R switch on the seat ventilation for the driv-
er's seat
i The convenience opening feature can
only be operated using the key. The key
must be close to the driver's door handle.
Convenience opening feature X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door
handle.
X Press and hold the %button until the
side windows and the sliding sunroof are in
the desired position.
X To interrupt convenience opening:
release the %button. Convenience closing feature
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When using the convenience closing feature,
make sure that nobody can become trapped.
Proceed as follows if there is a risk of entrap-
ment:
With the key:
R release the &button.
R press and hold the %button until the
side windows and the sliding sunroof open
again.
With KEYLESS-GO:
R release the sensor surface on the door han-
dle.
R pull the door handle immediately and hold
it.
The side windows and the sliding sunroof
open.
When you lock the vehicle, you can simulta-
neously:
R close the side windows
R close the sliding sunroof 90
Side windowsOpening and closing

Change the positio
nofthe sliding sunroof
or open a side window slightly to reduce or
eliminate these noises.
i Resonance noises can occur in addition
to the usual airflow noises when the sliding
sunroof is open. They are caused by minor
pressure fluctuations in the vehicle interior.
To reduce or eliminate these noises:
R change the position of the sliding sunroof
R open a side window
R open the sliding sunroof to the comfort
setting. Operating the sliding sunroof
Opening and closing Overhead control panel
:
To raise
; To open
= To close/lower
X Turn the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press or pull the 3switch in the corre-
sponding direction.
i If you press the 3switch beyond the
point of resistance, an automatic opening/
closing process is started in the corre-
sponding direction. You can stop automatic
operation by pressing again.
i If you press the 3switch beyond the
point of resistance, an automatic opening/
closing process is started in the corre-
sponding direction. When opening, the slid- ing sunroof automatically moves into the
comfort setting. If you operate the switch
again in the direction for opening, the slid-
ing sunroof opens completely. You can stop
automatic operation by operating the
switch again.
The sun protection cover automatically opens
along with the sliding sunroof. You can open
or close the sun protection cover manually
when the sliding sunroof is raised or closed.
i You can continue to operate the sliding
sunroof after switching off the engine or
removing the key. This function remains
active for five minutes or until you open a
front door.
Rain-closing feature When the key is in position
0in the ignition
lock or is removed, the sliding sunroof closes
automatically:
R if it starts to rain
R at extreme outside temperatures
R after six hours
R if there is a malfunction in the power supply
The rear of the sliding sunroof is then raised
in order to ventilate the vehicle interior.
i If the sliding sunroof is obstructed when
being closed by the rain-closing feature, it
opens again slightly. The rain-closing fea-
ture is then deactivated.
The sliding sunroof does not close if:
R it is raised at the rear.
R it is blocked.
R no rain is falling on the area of the wind-
screen being monitored by the rain sensor.
The area being monitored by the rain sen-
sor may be covered, for example, because
the vehicle is under a bridge or in a carport.
Resetting !
If the sliding sunroof still cannot be
opened or closed fully after resetting, con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop. Sliding sunroof
93Opening and closing Z