controlled manner. The spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If
ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 00E5 ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels are able to spin without
restriction. The spinning of the wheels
results in a cutting action, which provides
better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available;
nor is it activated if you brake with
assistance from ESP ®
.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be
able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP ®
can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until the vehicle/trailer combination has
stabilized.
Trailer
stabilization is active above
speeds of
about 40 mph (65 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding
and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y page 259) as well as
display messages ( Y page 233).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 64).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available
in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
If PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is to aid you, the radar
sensor system must be:
R activated (Y page 229)
R operational
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.
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead or Driving safety systems
69
Safety Z
reduce the effects of such a collision. If PRE-
SAFE
®
Brake has detected 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.
Starting at a speed of around
4 mph (7 km/h), this function warns you if
you very quickly approach a vehicle in front.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the 00BA 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
4 mph (7 km/h), if the driver and front
passenger have fastened their seat belts,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can brake the vehicle
automatically at speeds up to approximately
124 mph (200 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 accelerator pedal further
R activating kickdown
R releasing the brake pedal
The braking action of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is
ended automatically if:
R you maneuver 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.
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h), PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also detect
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objects are stopped or parked vehicles. If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE
®
Brake detects a risk of
a collision, the system
will alert you both visually and acoustically. If
you do not brake or take evasive action, the
system will warn you by automatically braking
the vehicle gently. If there is an increased risk
of collision, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
activated (Y page 52). If the risk of collision
with the vehicle in front remains and you do
not brake, take evasive action or accelerate
significantly, automatic braking may be
performed up to a level of emergency braking.
Automatic emergency braking is not
performed until immediately prior to an
accident that can no longer be avoided. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will initially brake your
vehicle by a partial application of the brakes
if a danger of collision
is detected. There may
be a collision unless you also brake.
Automatic emergency braking cannot prevent
a collision. There is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic
conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R not give a warning or intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake warns you. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving
situation.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain70
Driving safety systems
Safety
Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your
vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 27).Correct driver's seat position
X
Observe the safety guidelines on seat
adjustment ( Y page 97).
X Make sure that seat 0087 is adjusted
properly.
Electrical seat adjustment ( Y page 98)
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you are as far away
from the driver's air bag
as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright position.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly. R
you have moved the backrest
to an almost
vertical position.
R you have set the seat cushion angle so that
your thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so
that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.
X Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment ( Y page 102).
X Make sure that steering wheel 0043 is
adjusted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel manually
(Y page 102)
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
(Y page 102)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrument cluster clearly.
X Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Y page 54).
X Check whether you have fastened the seat
belt 0044 properly ( Y page 56).
The seat belt should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder
R be routed in your
pelvic
area across the hip
joints
X Before starting off, adjust the rear-view
mirror and the exterior mirrors in such a
way that you have a
good view of road and
traffic conditions (Y page 103).
X Vehicles with a memory function: save
the seat, steering wheel and
exterior mirror96
Correct driver's seat position
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your
vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 27).Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the
daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. Notes on driving abroad
Conversion to symmetrical low beam Switch the headlamps to symmetrical low
beam in countries in which traffic drives on
the opposite side of
the
road from the country
where the vehicle is registered. This prevents
glare to oncoming traffic. When using
symmetrical lights, the edge of the road is not
lit as widely and as far ahead as normal.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop as close to the border as
possible before driving in these countries.
Conversion to asymmetrical low beam
after returning Have the headlamps converted back to
asymmetrical low-beam headlamps at a
qualified specialist workshop as soon as
possible after crossing the border again. Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using:
R
the light switch
R the combination switch ( Y page 112)
R the on-board computer (Y page 227)
Light switch Operation
00470063
Left-hand standing lamps
00480064 Right-hand standing lamps
00490060 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
004A0058 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the light sensor
004B0058 Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
0084005E Rear fog lamp
006B005A Fog lamp (only vehicles with front fog
lamps)
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from
the
ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0.110
Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers
Automatic headlamp mode
G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058,
the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as
spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
0058.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
0058 is the favored light switch setting. The
light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient
light (exception: poor visibility due to weather
conditions such as fog, snow or spray):
R SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
R With the engine running: if you have
activated the daytime running lamps
function via the on-board computer, the
daytime running lamps or the low-beam
headlamps and parking lamps are switched
on or off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
X To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to 0058.
Only for Canada:
The daytime running lamps improve the
visibility of your vehicle during the day. The
daytime running lamps function is
required by
law in Canada. It cannot therefore be
deactivated.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light: if you turn the light switch to
0060, you turn on the
daytime running lamps and parking lamps.
If
the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0058, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
USA only:
The daytime running lamps improve the
visibility of your vehicle during the day. To do
this, the daytime running lamps function must
be switched on using the on-board computer
(Y page 227).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0060 or 0058, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058,
the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as
spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
0058.
Even if the light sensor does not detect that
it is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the ignition is
switched on and the light switch is set to the
0058 position. This is a particularly useful
function in the event of rain and fog.
X To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
The green 0058 indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Front fog lamps
In conditions where visibility is poor due to
fog, snow or rain, the fog lamps improve
visibility as well as making it easier for other
road users to see you. They can be operated
together with the parking lamps or together Exterior lighting
111
Lights and windshield wipers Z
with the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps.
X
To switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the SmartKey in the ignition
lock to position
2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058 or 0058.
X Press the 005A button.
The green 005A indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front fog lamps: press
the 005A button.
The green 005A indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the
fog lamps function.
Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp improves visibility of your
vehicle for the traffic behind in the event of
thick fog. Please take note of the country-
specific regulations for the use of rear fog
lamps.
X To switch on the rear fog lamps:
turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2
or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058 or
0058.
X Press the 005E button.
The yellow 005E indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
005E button.
The yellow 005E indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Parking lamps
! If the battery has been excessively
discharged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the
0060 parking lamps
for several hours. If possible,
switch on the
0064 right or the 0063 left standing lamp. X
To switch on: turn the light switch to
0060.
Depending on the equipment level, the
green indicator lamp or the scale
illumination in the instrument cluster light
up.
Standing lamps
Switching on the standing lamps
ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is
illuminated.
X To switch on the standing lamps: the
SmartKey is not in the ignition lock or it is
in position 0.
X Turn the light switch to 0063 (left-hand side
of the vehicle) or 0064 (right-hand side of
the vehicle). Combination switch
Turn signal 0043
High-beam headlamps
0044 Turn signal, right
0087 High-beam flasher
0085 Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow 0044 or
0085.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 0044
or 0085.112
Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers
High-beam headlamps
X
To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058 or 0058.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow 0043.
In the 0058 position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
The 0057 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The 0057
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 0087. Hazard warning lamps The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed down rapidly from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a halt.
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0043.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the
combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button 0043.
If the vehicle returns to a speed of over
6 mph (10 km/h
)
after a full application of the
brakes, the hazard warning lamps are
deactivated automatically.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times while the
lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 120). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Active light function Exterior lighting
113
Lights and windshield wipers Z
X
To activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 227).
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction
of arrow 0043
(Y page 112).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the low-beam headlamps, the 00CE
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 28 mph (45 km/h):
The headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 35 mph (55 km/h) and no
other road users have been detected:
The high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The 0057 indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) or other
road users have been detected or the roads
are adequately lit:
The high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The 0057 indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The 00CEindicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The 00CE indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
X Switch on the lights and drive off.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the length of
the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
0043
0042 Switches the rear interior lighting
on/off
0044 0033 Switches the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
0087 003D Switches the right-hand front
reading lamp on/off Interior lighting
115
Lights and windshield wipers Z