If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Always remember that you must concentrate
primarily on driving the vehicle. The driver's
concentration must always be directed
primarily at road traffic. For your own safety
and that of others, we recommend that you
stop the vehicle at a safe place and in
accordance with the traffic conditions before
making or accepting a phone call.
Comply with all legal requirements if you use
the telephone while driving. Use the hands-
free system and only use the telephone when
road, weather and traffic conditions permit. In
some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers
to use mobile phones while driving.
Only operate the audio system or COMAND
(Cockpit Management and Data System) in
compliance with all legal requirements and
when the road, weather and traffic conditions
permit. You may otherwise not be able to
observe the traffic conditions, endangering
yourself and others.
Remember that your vehicle covers a distance
of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) a second
when it is traveling at only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h).
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.XRemove unnecessary loads.XRemove roof racks when they are not
needed.XWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.XHave all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Service Booklet or by the service interval
display.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic
and in mountainous terrain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals
GWARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure that the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers,
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
160Driving tipsDriving and parking
GWARNING
Objects located above the height range of
Parking Guidance will not be detected when
the parking space is measured. These objects
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. Under some circumstances, Parking
Guidance might therefore issue steering
instructions too soon. This may lead to a
collision. For this reason, you should avoid
using Parking Guidance in such situations.
GWARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
! Pay particular attention to low objects or
objects with flat surfaces, such as trailer
drawbars, posts, cross beams and curbs.
These types of objects cannot be detected
by Parking Guidance and may damage the
vehicle.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Parking
Guidance is also unavailable.
Use Parking Guidance for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, i.e.
not on the pavement, for example. Parking
Guidance may not detect flat curbs
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive past the parking
space as close as possible.
R parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
( Y page 179) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you must not use Parking
Guidance.
R never use Parking Guidance with snow
chains or an emergency spare wheel
installed.
R make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct effect on
the steering instructions.
R the way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. In some cases, Parking
Guidance may guide you too far or not far
enough into a parking space. In some
cases, it may also lead you across or onto
the curb. If necessary, cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Guidance.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Detecting a parking space:Detected parking space on the left;Parking symbol=Detected parking space on the right
Parking Guidance is automatically activated
when you drive forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
( 30 km/h), you will see parking symbol ; as
a status indicator in the instrument cluster.
182Driving systemsDriving and parking
There will be either no or only a weak course-
correcting brake application if:
R there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your
vehicle.
R a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you clearly brake or accelerate.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot AssistXMake sure that the radar sensor system
( Y page 210) and Active Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 207) are activated in the on-board
computer.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
Warning lamps : light up red in the
exterior mirrors for approximately 1.5
seconds and then turn yellow.
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Important safety notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area
in front of your vehicle by means of a camera
at the top of the windshield. Active Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane.
:Active Lane Keeping Assist camera
If you have selected the Display Unit
Speed-/Odometer (Y page 208) function in
the on-board computer and select km as the
unit of measurement, Active Lane Keeping
Assist is active from speeds of 60 km/h. If
the miles display unit is selected, the
assistance range begins at 40 mph.
GWARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not keep
your vehicle in its lane. It is only an aid and
may detect the lane markings on the road
incorrectly or not at all.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R several or no lane markings for a single lane
are present.
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray.
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun, or reflection from other vehicles.
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera.
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow.
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected.
R the lane markings on the road are unclear,
e.g. near roadworks.
192Driving systemsDriving and parking
the roadway can be recognized as solid lane
markings. An inappropriate brake application,
e.g. after intentionally driving over a solid lane
marking, may be interrupted at any time by
steering slightly in the opposite direction.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take
weather conditions into account.
You are responsible for the driving at
appropriate speeds, 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 recognize dangers in time,
cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs
if:
R you clearly and actively steer, brake or
accelerate.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
R you switch on the turn signals.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R the transmission is not in position D.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed.
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic situations or road users. An
inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you:
R steer slightly in the opposite direction.
R use a turn signal.
R clearly brake or accelerate.A lane-correcting brake application is
interrupted automatically if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R lane markings can no longer be recognized.
Switching on Active Lane Keeping AssistXSwitch on Active Lane Keeping Assist using
the on-board computer ( Y page 207).
Symbol : appears in the multifunction
display.
If your speed exceeds 40 mph (60 km/h)
and lane markings are detected,
symbol : is highlighted. Active Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use.194Driving systemsDriving and parking
Menus and submenus
Menu overview
The number of menus shown depends on the optional equipment in the vehicle.
Function:Trip menu ( Y page 201);Navi menu (navigation instructions) ( Y page 202)=Audio menu ( Y page 203)?Tel menu (telephone) ( Y page 204)ADriveAssist. menu (assistance) ( Y page 206)BServ. menu ( Y page 208)
R calls up display messages ( Y page 213)
R tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only) ( Y page 315)
R tire pressure monitor (USA only) ( Y page 317)
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display ( Y page 278)CSett. menu ( Y page 208)200Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
Service menu
In the Serv. menu you can:
R call up display messages ( Y page 213)
R restart the tire pressure loss warning
system (Canada only) ( Y page 315)
R check the tire pressure electronically (USA
only) ( Y page 317)
R call up the service due date ( Y page 278)
Settings menu
Introduction
The Sett. menu can be used for:
R changing the instrument cluster settings
R changing the light settings
R changing the vehicle settings
R changing the convenience settings
R restoring the factory settings
Instrument cluster
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R the digital speedometer in the Trip menu
R the odometer and the trip odometer
R the trip computer
R the current consumption and the range
R the navigation instruction in the Navi menu
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval displayXPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Instr. cluster submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Display Unit Speed-/Odometer
function.
You will see the selected setting: km or
miles .XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the permanent display function
The Permanent Display: function allows
you to choose whether the multifunction
display always shows the outside
temperature or the speed in km/h (USA) or
mph (Canada).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Instr. cluster submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Permanent display function.
You will see the selected setting Outside
Temperature or Speedometer [km/h]: .XPress the a button to save the setting.208Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions8
Fuel Level LowThe fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.XRefuel at the nearest gas station.CThere is only a very small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.XRefuel at the nearest gas station without fail.8
Gas Cap LooseThe fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed:
XClose the fuel filler cap.
If the fuel filler cap is correctly closed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Driving systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÀ
Attention Assist:
Pause!Based on specific criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has determined that
the driver is tired or paying less attention. A warning tone also
sounds.XIf necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so you get
enough rest.
À
Attention Assist
InoperativeATTENTION ASSIST has failed.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.HOLD
OffThe HOLD function is deactivated. The vehicle is skidding.
A warning tone also sounds.XReactivate the HOLD function later ( Y page 176).The HOLD function is deactivated. When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed, an activation condition is not fulfilled.
A warning tone also sounds.XCheck the activation conditions for the HOLD function
( Y page 176).228Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCruise Control
InoperativeCruise control is defective.
A warning tone also sounds.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Cruise Control
--- mphA condition for activating cruise control has not been fulfilled.
You attempted 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 164).
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 messages233On-board computer and displaysZ