
1, 2, 3 ...
12-button multifunction steering
wheel Operating the on-board computer .228
Overview .......................................... 36
12 V socket
see Socket
4-button multifunction steering
wheel
Operating the on-board computer .225
Overview .......................................... 35
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 213A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............252
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................247
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes ....................65
Warning lamp ................................. 286
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode .................................... 135
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................131
Active Blind Spot Assist Function/notes ............................. 207
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter, 12-button multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 237
Towing a trailer .............................. 210
Active Driving Assistance package .207
Active Lane Keeping Assist Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............273
Function/notes ............................. 210
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter, 12-button multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 238
Towing a trailer ......................207, 213
Active light function .........................114Active Park Assist
Display message ............................ 273
Active Parking Assist
Important safety notes ..................192
Towing a trailer .............................. 196
Active Service System
see ASSYST PLUS
Adaptive brake lamps .........................67
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............263
Function/notes ............................. 116
Adaptive Main-beam Assist
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 240
AdBlue ®
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............269
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................266
Filling capacity ............................... 369
Notes ............................................. 368
Service indicator ............................ 313
AdBlue ®
service indicator ................313
Additional speedometer ...................239
Additives (engine oil) ........................370
Adjusting the headlamp range .........112
Airbags Front airbag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 46
Important safety guidelines .............44
Kneebag .......................................... .46
Pelvis airbag .................................... 47
Sidebag ............................................ 47
Triggering ......................................... 43
Windowba g...................................... 48
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............268
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................265
Air pressure
see Tyre pressure 4
Index

Important safety notes
....................82
Opening (from the inside) ................83
Downhill Speed Regulation
see DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 159
Display ........................................... 156
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......156
Manual .......................................... .160
Driver's door
see Door
Drive system
Active Blind Spot Assist .................207
Driving abroad
Service24h .................................... 313
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 110
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angl e............ 172
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety system
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .66
Electronic Brake-force Distribu-
tion .................................................. 69
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 67
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 68
Important safety guidelines .............65
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......65
Adaptive brake lamps ......................67
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............66
Overview .......................................... 65
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .69
Driving system
Active Lane Keeping Assis t............ 210
Active Parking Assist .....................192
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............271
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................270
Driving systems
Active Driving Assistance pack-
age ................................................. 207
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................201Blind Spot Assist ............................ 203
Cruise control
................................ 173
Distronic Plus ................................ 178
HOLD function ............................... 186
Lane Keeping Assist ......................205
Lane package ................................ 203
PARKTRONIC ................................. 188
Reversing camera ..........................196
Speed Limit Assist .........................202
SPEEDTRONIC ............................... 176
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 168
Automatic transmission .................157
Brakes ........................................... 167
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 185
Downhill gradient ........................... 167
Driving abroad ............................... 110
Driving in winter ............................ .169
Driving on flooded roads ................168
Driving on sand .............................. 172
Driving on wet roads ......................168
Driving over obstacles ...................172
General .......................................... 165
Icy road surfaces ........................... 170
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 168
New brake pads/linings ................168
Off-road driving .............................. 170
Off-road fording ............................. 169
Running-in tips ............................... 146
Snow chains .................................. 353
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 110
Towing a trailer .............................. 215
Travelling uphill .............................. 172
Tyre ruts ........................................ 172
Wet road surface ........................... 167
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............271
Function/notes ............................. 21310
Index

J
Jack Storage location ............................ 327
Using ............................................. 333
Jump start (engine)
see Jump starting (engine)
Jump starting (engine) ......................341 K
Key Changing the battery .......................79
Checking the battery .......................79
Convenience closing feature ............90
Convenience opening feature ..........90
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................281
Door central locking/unlocking .......76
Emergency key element ................... 78
Important safety notes ....................76
Loss ................................................. 81
Modifying the programming .............78
Positions (ignition lock) .................147
Problem (malfunction) .....................81
Starting the engine ........................148
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing ........................90
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction display) ..........................283
Display message (4-button multi-
function display) ............................ 281
Locking ............................................ 77
Start/Stop button .......................... 147
Starting the engine ........................149
Unlocking ......................................... 77
Key positions
Key ................................................ 147
KEYLESS GO .................................. 147
Keys
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............283
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 158
Manual drive program ....................160
Kneebag ............................................... 46 L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating .................238
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............273
Function/informatio n.................... 205
Lane package ..................................... 203
Lashing eyelets ................................. 299
Licence plate lighting Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............262
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................259
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Activating/deactivating the exte-
rior lighting delayed switch-off
(12-button multifunction steering
wheel) ............................................ 240
Activating/deactivating the inte-
rior lighting delayed switch-off
(12-button multifunction steering
wheel) ............................................ 241
Active light function .......................114
Automatic headlamp mode ............111
Cornering light function .................115
Dipped-beam headlamps ...............111
Driving abroad ............................... 110
Foglamps ....................................... 112
Foglamps (extended range) ...........115
Hazard warning lamps ...................114
Headlamp flasher ........................... 113
Headlamp range ............................ 112
Light switch ................................... 111
Main-beam headlamps ................... 113
Motorway mode ............................. 115
Off-road lights ................................ 115
Parking lamps ................................ 112
Rear foglamp ................................. 112
Setting brightness for display/
switches (on-board computer) .......239
Side lamps ..................................... 112
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 24014
Index

Towing
Important safety notes ..................342
With the rear axle raised ................344
Towing a trailer
Active Blind Spot Assist .................210
Active Lane Keeping Assist .... 207, 213
Active Parking Assist .....................196
Lights display message (12-but-
ton multifunction steering wheel) ..260
Lights display message (4-button
multifunction steering wheel) ........257
Towing away
Fitting the towing eye ....................343
Removing the towing eye ...............344
With both axles on the ground .......344
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............345
Fitting the towing eye ....................343
Important safety notes ..................342
Removing the towing eye ...............344
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer towing
7-pin connector ............................. 221
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 205
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 321
Coupling up a trailer ......................220
Decoupling a trailer .......................220
Driving tips .................................... 215
ESP ®
................................................ 69
Fitting the ball coupling .................217
Important safety notes ..................215
Mounting dimensions ....................373
Parktroni c...................................... 191
Power supply ................................. 221
Removing the ball coupling ............220
Shift range ..................................... 158
Storing the ball coupling ................220
Trailer loads ................................... 374
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transmission position display .........156
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ......................156
Transporting the vehicle ..................345Travelling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 173
Driving downhill ............................. 173
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility .............................................. .173
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .323
Trip computer On-board computer (12-button
multifunction steering wheel) ........230
On-board computer (4-button
multifunction steering wheel) ........226
Trip meter
Displaying/resetting (4-button
multifunction steering wheel) ........226
Displaying (12-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel) .......................230
Resetting (12-button multifunc-
tion steering wheel) .......................232
Turn signal
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............261
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................258
see Turn signals
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................120
Changing bulbs (rear) ....................121
Switching on/off ........................... 113
TV
Operating (on-board computer) .....234
see Separate operating instructions
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 363
Installation ..................................... 363
Transmission output (maximum) .... 363
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Display message (12-button mul-
tifunction steering wheel) ..............277
Display message (4-button multi-
function steering wheel) ................276
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................331
Pressure loss warning ....................355
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................331
Recommended ............................... 353
Tyres
Checking ........................................ 351 22
Index

Permanent SPEEDTRONIC
You can use the on-board computer to limit
the speed permanently to a value between
160 km/h(e.g. for driving on winter tyres) and
the maximum speed (Y page 241).
Shortly before the stored speed is reached, it
appears in the multifunction display.
Permanent SPEEDTRONIC remains active,
even if variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated.
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed,
even if you depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown). DISTRONIC PLUS
Important safety notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the dis-
tance to the vehicle detected in front. DIS-
TRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range 1,2or 3in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving
vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order
to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle
in front. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid designed to
assist driving. The driver remains fully respon-
sible for the vehicle's distance from other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for braking
in good time.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react in particular
to:
R pedestrians
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line. Therefore,
always pay attention to traffic conditions even
when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Other-
wise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions. If DISTRONIC does not
recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle
in front, do not activate DISTRONIC or, if it is
already active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R before corners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to a lane with faster moving
traffic
R in complex driving situations or where lanes
are diverted, e.g. at roadworks on a motor-
way
DISTRONIC PLUS otherwise maintains the
current speed set by you or accelerates up to
the set speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of
weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, DISTRONIC PLUS:
R if the roads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip when
braking or accelerating. The vehicle could
start to skid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tance control may be impaired. 178
Driving systemsDriving and parking

G
WARNING
If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.
DISTRONIC PLUS then no longer brakes your
vehicle. In such cases, control the distance
from vehicles travelling in front with the brake
alone. You could otherwise cause an accident
and thereby injure yourself and others. The
driver remains fully responsible for the vehi-
cle's distance from other vehicles, the speed
being driven and for braking in good time.
Changing lanes
If you change to the overtaking lane, DIS-
TRONIC PLUS supports you if:
R you are driving faster than 60 km/h.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the dis-
tance to a vehicle in front.
R you switch on the respective turn signals.
R DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger
of collision.
If these conditions are met, your vehicle is
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted
if changing lanes takes too long or if the dis-
tance between your vehicle and the vehicle in
front becomes too small.
i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane for left-hand-drive
vehicles and the right lane for right-hand-
drive vehicles. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only an aid designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention. The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings. Oth-
erwise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others. Vehicles with COMAND Online
i
The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS uses additional information
from your navigation system so that it can
adapt to certain traffic situations. This is the
case if, while following a vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS is active and you:
R approach or drive around a roundabout
R approach a T-junction
R turn off at a motorway exit
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the detec-
tion range, DISTRONIC PLUS temporarily
maintains the current driving speed and does
not accelerate. This is based on the current
map data in the navigation system. Example: roundabout
The current speed is maintained:
R
approximately 10 seconds before the
roundabout/T-junction and for approx-
imately 1.5 seconds when driving on the
roundabout
R approximately 12 seconds before reaching
a motorway exit and approximately 4 sec-
onds after the motorway exit
Afterwards, the vehicle accelerates back to
the set speed you specified.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. Driving systems
181Driving and parking
Z

Other vehicles changing lane
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehi-
cle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle
will be too short.
Narrow vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the carriage-
way, because of its narrow width. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane. Activat-
ing DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with
crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces. 186
Driving systemsDriving and parking

procedure is calculated, e. g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. In some circumstances, Active Park-
ing Assist may therefore guide you into the
parking space too early. This may lead to a
collision. For this reason, you should avoid
using Active Parking Assist in such situations. G
WARNING
The front of the vehicle will veer out in the
direction of the oncoming traffic during the
parking operation. In some cases the vehicle
will also take you onto sections of the oncom-
ing lane during the parking procedure.
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must pay attention to any road users
approaching or passing. Stop the vehicle if
necessary or cancel the Active Parking Assist
parking procedure. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Use Active Parking Assist 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, e.g.
not on the pavement
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as closely as possi-
ble past the parking space.
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 189 )warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R at any time, you can intervene in the steer-
ing procedure to correct it. Active Parking
Assist will then be cancelled. R
when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R when snow chains or an emergency spare
wheel are fitted, you should not use Active
Parking Assist here either.
R make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
R the way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the posi-
tion and shape of the vehicles parked in
front and behind it and the conditions of the
location. It may be the case that Active
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the kerb. If necessary, you should can-
cel the parking procedure with Active Park-
ing Assist.
R you can also engage forward gear prema-
turely. The vehicle redirects and does not
drive as far into the parking space. Should
a gear be changed too early to achieve a
sensible parking position, the parking pro-
cedure will be cancelled.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as kerbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tyres.
Detecting parking spaces Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-
pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle. When
driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you will see
parking symbol as a status indicator in the
instrument cluster. Active Parking Assist only
displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side as standard. Parking spaces
on the driver's side are displayed as soon as Driving systems
193Driving and parking Z