
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow A.
LIM
indicator lamp ; in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
selected.
Storing the current speed :
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the
speed to any speed above 18 km/h while
the engine is running.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ?.
The current speed is stored and shown in
the multifunction display.
i On downhill gradients, the speed can be
exceeded despite variable SPEEDTRONIC.
If this is the case, you will hear a warning
tone and the Limit Exceeded message
appears
in the multifunction display. Apply
the brakes yourself if required. Calling up the last speed stored Calling up the last speed stored
:
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
SPEEDTRONIC
can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
SPEEDTRONIC cannot take account of road,
weather and traffic conditions.
SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane. Only engage
SPEEDTRONIC when the current road,
weather and traffic conditions permit it to be
done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
i If you call up the stored speed and your
current speed is higher, you will hear a
warning tone. The Limit Exceeded
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i If no speed is stored, variable
SPEEDTRONIC stores the current speed
and maintains it. 176
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Activating while driving
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30
km/h) you can activate DISTRONIC PLUS
if the vehicle in front has been detected and
is shown in the multifunction display. If the
vehicle in front is no longer detected and
displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
a tone sounds.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, or press it up : or down A.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Press the cruise control lever up : or
down A
repeatedly until the desired speed
is set.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your
vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
i If
you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Passive
message appears in the multifunction
display. The set distance to a slower-
moving vehicle in front will then not be
maintained. You will be driving at the speed
you determine by the position of the
accelerator pedal. Switching on while stationary
This function may be useful if you want to
keep up with the traffic flow, e.g. at the end
of a tailback.
You can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS if:
R
the vehicle in front and
R your vehicle are stationary
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, or press it up : or down A.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
i DISTRONIC PLUS can be activated at a
standstill at under 20 mph (30 km/h
) only
if a vehicle in front has been detected.
Therefore, the DISTRONIC PLUS distance
display in the instrument cluster should be
activated (Y page 218).
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
up : or down A until the desired speed
is set.
i You
can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance (Y page 183).
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle
accelerates
or decelerates. If you do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic
conditions before calling up the stored speed.
If you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first
time it is activated, the current speed is180
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary
and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at a sufficient distance behind the
vehicle in front. The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there
is a malfunction, the transmission may also
automatically be shifted into position P.
Displays in the instrument cluster Displays in the speedometer
Example: DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the
speedometer
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or
two
segments ; in the set speed range light
up.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front,
segments ; between speed of the vehicle in
front : and stored speed = light up.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS. Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated
Distance display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
deactivated
:
Vehicle in front, if detected
; Distance indicator, current distance to
the vehicle in front
= Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
? Own vehicle
You can select the distance display in the
Assistance menu ( Y page 218) of the on-
board computer.
X Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer.
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated Distance display with DISTRONIC PLUS activated
in the multifunction display
:
DISTRONIC PLUS activated
; Own vehicle182
Driving systems
Driving and parking

=
Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front; adjustable
? Vehicle in front, if detected
In the Assistance menu (Y page 218) of the
on-board computer, you can select the
distance display.
X Select the Distance Display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 218).
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
Setting a speed :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; To store the current speed or a lower
speed
X Press the cruise control lever up : for a
higher
speed or down ; for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The
new speed is stored. DISTRONIC PLUS
is activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the new speed stored.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments
(1 km/h increments): brieflypress the cruise control lever up : or
down ; to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up
: or down ; the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ; to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up : or down ;, the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i DISTRONIC
PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you
accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished
overtaking.
Setting the specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance
for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this
function, you can set the minimum distance
that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in
front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 218). Driving systems
183
Driving and parking Z

X
To increase: turn control = in
direction ;.
DISTRONIC
PLUS then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
X To decrease: turn control = in
direction :.
DISTRONIC
PLUS then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
i Make sure that you maintain the
minimum
distance to the vehicle in front as
required by law. Adjust the distance to the
vehicle in front if necessary.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards :.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator
lamp ; in the cruise control lever
lights up.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message
in
the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds. i
The
last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
R you engage the parking brake.
R you are driving more slowly than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no longer a vehicle
in front, or if the vehicle in front is no longer
detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R the transmission is in the P, R or N position.
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front-
passenger door or one of the rear doors is
open.
R the vehicle has skidded.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the
multifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
In the Assistance menu (Y page 218) of the
on-board computer, you can select the
distance display.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The
following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated. 184
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that
are
crossing your lane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with
crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally. Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles approaching and driving by with a
speed difference of more than
approximately
11 km/h
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance. G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles approaching and driving by with a
speed difference of more than 6.8 mph
(11 km/h
)
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of
an accident. Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully,
and maintain a safe lateral distance.
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to
detect some vehicles and is no substitute for
attentive driving.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors.
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain
or snow.
R there is a narrow vehicle traveling in front,
e.g. a motorcycle or bicycle.
R the road has very wide lanes.
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane.
R there are barriers or other road boundaries.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
General notes Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to
monitor both the left and right sides of your
vehicle. It supports you from a speed of
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. For this purpose, Blind Spot
Assist uses sensors in the rear bumper. 186
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Monitoring range of the sensors
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to
10 ft
(3 m) behind your vehicle and directly
next to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if the vehicles are driving on the
inner side of their lane.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R the warning is canceled when driving for an
extended period next to long vehicles, such
as trucks.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free from dirt,
ice or slush around the sensors. The rear
sensors must not be covered, for example by
bicycle racks or overhanging loads. Following
a severe impact or in the event of damage to
the bumpers, have the function of the radar
sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise
not work properly. Indicator and warning display G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles approaching and driving by with a
speed difference of more than 6.8 mph
(11 km/h
)
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance. :
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
indicator
lamp : in the exterior mirrors lights
up yellow at speeds of up to
20 mph(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h) the indicator lamp goes out and
Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp : on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Blind Spot
Assist is no longer active. Driving systems
187
Driving and parking Z

In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R
dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors.
R visibility
is poor, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain
or snow.
R there is a narrow vehicle traveling in front,
e.g. a motorcycle or bicycle.
R the road has very wide lanes.
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane.
R there are barriers or other road boundaries.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
the device in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
General notes Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are in back of the driver. A warning display in the exterior mirrors draws
your attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lanes,
you will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. If a risk of lateral collision
is detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot
Assist also uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph(30 km/h).
Monitoring area G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist monitors certain
areas
in the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Vehicles that approach and drive past at high
speeds are not detected. No visual nor
audible warnings are emitted and the system
does not brake the vehicle to correct your
course.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
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. Driving systems
189
Driving and parking Z