Deactivating/activating ESP
®G
WARNING
If you deactivat eESP®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivat eESP®
in th esituation sdescri-
bed in th efollowing. X
To switch off: press button:.
The å ESP®
OF Fw arnin glamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warnin glamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engin eisstarted.
The ECO start/stop fun ction switches the
engin eoff automaticall yifthe vehi cles tops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
start sautomatically. ESP ®
remain sinits pre-
viousl yselected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactiva tedb efor ethe 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
th ei nstrumen tcluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise th evehicle. It may be best to deact
ivateESP®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longe rimproves driving stab ility.
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 abl etospin. The spinnin gofthe
wheels resu ltsinac utting action for better
traction.
Off-roa dESP® An ESP
®
syste mspecif icall ys uited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road progra misactivate don:
R Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age (Y page252)
R Vehicles wit hthe ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 253)
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with adelay if there
is oversteerin gorundersteering ,thus improv-
ing traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation G
WARNING
If roa dand weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilis ation will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with ahigh centre of gravit ycan
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
ar isk of an accident.
Always adap tyour driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
lurch, you can only stabilise the vehicle/
trailer combination by depressin gthe brake
firmly. Driving safety systems
67Safety Z
In this situation, ESP
®
assist syou and can
detec tifthe vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by brakin gand limiting the engine outp ut until
the vehicle/trailer combinatio nhas stabi-
lised.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 60 km/h.
Trailer stabilisation does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of amal-
function.
Crosswin dAssist Strong crosswinds can cause your vehicle to
deviate from astraight course. The crosswind
driving assistance function integrated into
ESP ®
significantly reduces thes eeffects.
ESP ®
intervene sautomatically according to
the direction and intensity of the crosswinds
affecting your vehicle.
When driving on straight roads or gentle
bends ,your vehicle is kept safel yonc ourse
by astabilising brake intervention.
Crosswind driving assistance is active above
av ehicle speed of 80 km /h.
Crosswind driving assistance does not work
if ESP ®
is deactivated or disabled because of
am alfunction. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Importan tsafety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61). 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 therefor eadapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brak esystem checked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop. Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y
page 327) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 293).
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 braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE
also has the HOLD function (Y page 211) and
hill start assist (Y page 162). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimise
the risk of acollision with avehicle in front or
reduc ethe effect sofsuchacollision .IfPRE-
SAFE ®
Brake has detected arisk of collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically
as well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent acollision withou tyour
interven tion.
This func tion will issue awarning if:
R at speeds of around 30 km/ horm ore over
several seconds, the distance maintained
to the vehicle travellin ginfront is insuffi-
cient.
The · distance warning lamp then lights
up in th einstrument cluster.
R at as peed of approximately 7km/h or
high er,y ou ver yquickly approach avehicle
in front.
An intermittent warning tone will then
sound and the ·distance warning lamp
will light up in the instrumen tcluster. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety
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 384).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 386).
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.
If the vehicle has been locked with the key or
with KEYLESS -GO, opening adoor from the
inside will trigger the anti-thef talarm system.
Switch off the alarm (Y page 71).82
DoorsOpening and closing
The hazar
dwarning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
spee dofm ore than 70 km /hand come sto
as tandstill.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
maticall yifthe vehicle reaches aspeed of
over 10 km/ hagain after afull brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleanin
gsystem
Th eh eadlamps are cleane dautomaticall yif
the "Wip ewithw ashe rfluid" function is oper-
ated fiv etimes (Y page 131 )while the lights
ar eona nd the engine is running. Whe nyou
switc hoff th eignition, the automatic head-
lam pcleaning system is reset and countin gis
resumed from 0. Intelligent Light Sys
tem
General notes Th
eI ntelligent Light System is asystem that
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing drivin gand weather conditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function,
cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only
active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 281). Active light function
The active light function is
asystem that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function The cornering ligh
tfunction improves the illu-
mination of the road over awide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. It can only
be activated when the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Active:
R if you are drivin gatspeeds below
40 km/ hand the turn si gnal is activatedor
the steerin gwheel is turned.
R if you ar edriving at speeds between
40 km/h and 70 km/h and tur nthe steer-
ing wheel. Exterior lighting
123Lightsand windscreen wipers Z
Overview of bulb replacement
–bulbs
Yo uc an replace the following bulbs. The
details for the bul btype can be found in the
legend. Halogen headlamps
:
Dipped-bea mheadlamp: H7 55 W
; Main-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
= Side lamps/par king lamp: W5WBV Tail lamps
:
Brake lamp: P21W-L Replacing the fron
tbulbs
Fitting /removing the cover on the front
wheel arch You must remov
ethe cover from the front
wheel housing before you can change the
front bulbs. X
To remove: switch off the lights.
X Tur nthe front wheels inwards.
X Remov esecuring pin ;using asuitable
tool.
X Slid ecover :up and remove it.
X To fit: insertcover :again and slide it
down until it engages.
X Insert securin gpin; .
Dipped-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps) X
Remove the cove rinthe front whee larch
(Y page 129).
X Turn housing co ver:anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb ho lder;anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Take the bulb ou tofbulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb int obulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;into the lamp and turn
it clockwise. Replacin
gbulbs
129Lightsand windscreen wipers Z
You must open the service flap in the luggage
compartmen
tbefor eyou can replac ethe
bulbs in the bra kelamp.
X To open: release service flap :at the top,
e.g. with ascrewdriver, and swing it down-
ward in the dire ction of the arrow.
X Right side: remove the first -aid kit before-
hand and pull the luggage net down.
X To close: reinsert service flap :.
Brake lamp X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the luggage compartment.
X Open the service flap (Y page 130).
X Turn bulb holder :anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Take bulb out of bulb holder :.
X Insert the new bulb int obulb holder :.
X Insert bulb holder :intothe lamp and turn
it clockwise.
X Close th eservic eflap (Y page 130). Windscree
nwipers Switchin
gthe windscreen wiper son/
off G
WA
RNING
The windscree nwill not longer be wiped prop-
erly if the wiper blades are worn .This could
prevent you 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 it is necessary to switch on the wind-
screen wipers in dry weather conditions,
always operate them using washe rfluid.
! If the windscreen wipers leave smears on
the windscreen after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, this may
be due to wax or other residue. Clean the
windscreen with washer fluid after an auto-
matic car wash.
! Intermit tentwiping 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. Combinatio
nswitch
1 $ Windscreen wipers off
2 Ä Intermittent wipe, low (rain sensor
set to low sensitivity)
3 Å Intermittent wipe, high (rain sensor
set to high sensitivity)
4 ° Continuous wipe, slow Windscreen wipers
131Lights and windscreen wipers Z
Sta
rting the engine
Impor tant safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emi tpoisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is ar isk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
i Vehicles with apetrol engine: the cat-
alytic converter is preheate dfor up to
30second safter acold star t.The sound of
the engin emay change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position
P(Y page 168).
The transmission position displ ay inthe
multifunction displa yshows
P(Y page 168).
i You can also star tthe engin ewhen the
transmission is in position N.
Sta rting procedur ewith the key X
To star tapetrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 159 )and releas eita ss oon as the
engin eisrunning.
X To star tadiesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 15 9).
The % preglow indicator lam pinthe
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe key to position
3(Y page 159) and release it as soon as the
engin eisrunning.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm. Usin
gKEYLESS-GO to star tthe en gine G
WARNING
Your vehicle can be started using avalid KEY-
LESS-GO key. For this reason, children should
never be left unsupervised in the vehicle.
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving it for a
short time.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To star tapetrol engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 159) once.
The engin estarts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 159)once.
Preglow is activated and the engin estarts.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle without insertin gthe key
int ot he ignition lock .The key must be in
the vehicle and the Star t/Stop butto nmust
be inserted in the ignition lock. This mode
for startin gthe engin eoperates independ-
ently of the ECO start /stop automatic
engine start function. Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engag etransmission position Dor
R,t he vehicle coul dpull away suddenly. There
is ar isk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor
R(Y page 167). Driving
161Driving and parking Z
(
Y page 16 4)¤ symbol is shown in yel-
low in the multifu nction display .Ifthis is the
case ,the ECO star t/stop function is not
available.
X To switch of f(AMG vehicles): in program
C,p ressbutton :.
or
X Switc htod rive program Sor M
(Y page 170).
Indi cator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
The Stop/Star tactive or
Stop/Start inactive message in th
eAMG men uinthe
multifunction displa ygoes out.
X To switch on (AM Gvehicles): press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If drive pro-
gram Sor Mis active, the automatic trans-
mission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-of f(Ypage 16 4)are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in green in the mul-
tifunction display. In addition, the Stop/Star
tactive message is show
ninthe
AMG men uinthe multifunction display.
If not all condition sfor automatic engine
switch-of f(Ypage 16 4)are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is not shown. If this is the
case, the ECO start/stop function is not
available. In addition, the Stop/Startinactive message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
i If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated man-
ually or as the result of amalfunction .The
engin ewill then not be switched off auto-
matically when the vehicle stops.
i Ever ytime you switch on the engine using
the key or the Star t/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated. Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to
astandstill in Dor
N,t he ECO start/stop func tion switches off
the engin eautomatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the ¤symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction displa yif:
R thei ndicato rlamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R none of the off-road programs are selected
R the vehicle is stationary
R the outside temperature is within the com-
fort range
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
R the battery is sufficiently charged
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on
R the bonnet is closed
R the driver' sdoor is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened
If not all condition sfor automatic engine
switch-of fare fulfilled ,the ¤ symbol is
shown in yellow.
AM Gvehicles: the AMG menu in the multi-
func tion display additionally shows the Stop/ Star
tinactive message.
i If yo ushift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop func tion is available
again onc ethe ¤ symbol reappear sin
green in the multifunction display.
i All vehicles (except AM Gvehicles):
automatic engine switch-off can take place
am aximum of four times consecutively (ini-
tial stop, then three subsequent stops). The
¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the mul-
tifunction displ ayafter the engine has been
started automatically for the fourth time.
When the ¤symbol is shown in green 164
DrivingDriving and parking