
G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply.E SP®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To switch off: press button0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switc hon:press button 0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 000FESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. 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 can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R ETS/4ETS is still active.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 248)
R vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 248)
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
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 72
Driving safet
ysystemsSafety

the vehicle/traile
rcombination has
stabilized.
Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 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 66). 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 319) as well as
display messages (Y page 285).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Y page 207) and hill start assist
(Y page 161). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
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 277)
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
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 000Fdistance 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 Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

00050011
Left-hand standing lamps
00060013 Right-hand standing lamps
00070016 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
000C0006 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the lights ensor
000D000D Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
001D0010 Rear fog lamp
Even if the light sensor does not detec tthat
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
000D 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 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 000D.
The green 000Dindicator lamp in the
instrumentc luster lights up.
Rear fog lamp 00050011
Left-hand standing lamps
00060013 Right-hand standing lamps 00070016
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrumen tcluste rlighting
000C0006 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the light sensor
000D000D Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
001D0010 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 rea rfog lamps: turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2
or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 000Dor0006.
X Press the 0010button.
The yellow 0010indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X To switch off th erear fog lamp: press the
0010 button.
The yellow 0010indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
Parking lamps
! If the battery has been excessively
discharged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the nex tengine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards .Avoid the
continuous use of the 0016parking lamps
for several hours .Ifpossible, switch on the
0013 right or the 0011left standing lamp. 122
Exterior lightingLights and windshiel
dwipers

00050011
Left-hand standing lamps
00060013 Right-hand standing lamps
00070016 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
000C0006 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the lights ensor
000D000D Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
001D0010 Rear fog lamp
X To switch on: turn light switch to 0016.
The green 0016indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Standing lamps 00050011
Left-hand standing lamps
00060013 Right-hand standing lamps
00070016 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
000C0006 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the light sensor
000D000D Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
001D0010 Rear fog lamp 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 0011(left-hand side
of the vehicle) or 0013(right-hand side of
the vehicle). Combination switch
Turn signal 0002
High-beam headlamps
0003 Turn signal, right
001F High-beam flasher
001E Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow 0003or001E.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 0003or001E. Exterior lighting
123Lights and windshield wipers Z

High-beam headlamps
0002
High-beam headlamps
0003 Turn signal, right
001F High-beam flasher
001E Turn signal, left
X To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 000Dor0006.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow 0002.
In the 0006position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
The blue 000Cindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the high-
beamh eadlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The blue 000Cindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active,
it controls activation of the high-beam
headlamps (Y page 125). High-beam flasher 0002
High-beam headlamps
0003 Turn signal, right
001F High-beam flasher
001E Turn signal, left
X To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 001F. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0002.
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 0002.124
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

In very rare cases, Adaptive Highbea
mAssist
may fail too recognize other road users that
have lights, or may recognize them too late.
In this or similar situations, the automatic
high-beam headlamps will not be deactivated
or activated regardless. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always carefully observe the traffic conditions
and switch off the high-beam headlamps in
good time. You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change between low beam and
high beam automatically. The system
recognizes vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
traveling in front of your vehicle, and
consequently switches the headlamps from
high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel. Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off
0002
High-beam headlamps
0003 Turn signal, right
001F High-beam flasher
001E Turn signal, left
X To activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer (Y page 275).
X Turn the light switch to 0006.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow 0002
(Y page 123).
The 0005 indicator lamp in the
multifunction display lights up if it is dark
and the light sensor activates the low-beam
headlamps.
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 000Cindicator 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: 126
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

The high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The 000Cindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The 0005
indicator lamp in the multifunction display
remains lit.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The 0005 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
Overhead control panel
0002
0015 To switch the left-hand frontr eading
lamp on/off
0003 0006 To switch the front interior lighting
on
001F 0003 To switch the rear interior lighting
on/off 001E
001D To switch the fron tinterior lighting/
automatic interio rlighting control off
001C 0015 To switch the right-han dfront
reading lamp on/off
001D To switch the automatic interior lighting
control on Interior lighting control
General notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging, the interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
except for when the SmartKey is in position
2
in the ignition lock.
The color and brightness of the ambient
lighting can be adjusted using the on-board
computer (Y page 275).
Automatic interio rlighting control Overhead control panel
0002
0015 To switch the left-hand fron treading
lamp on/off
0003 0006 To switch the front interior lighting
on
001F 0003 To switch the rear interior lighting
on/off
001E 001D To switch the fron tinterior lighting/
automatic interio rlighting control off
001C 0015 To switch the right-han dfront
reading lamp on/off
001D To switch the automatic interior lighting
control on Interior lighting
127Lights and windshield wipers Z

i
The SmartKey can be turned in the
ignition lock even if it is not the correct
SmartKey for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
R
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key:
-with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey
- with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
- inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can impair the functionality of the
KEYLESS-GO key.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the
temperature-controlled cup holder
(Y page 344). Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO
key will not be recognized.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
aS martKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop
button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey with the
integrated KEYLESS-GO function must be in
the vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignitio nlock. This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts
immediately.
The Start/Stop button can be removed from
the ignition lock. Then, you can insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. You should, however,
always take the SmartKey with you when
leaving the vehicle. As long as the
SmartKey is in the vehicle: R
the vehicle can be started using the
Start/Stop button and
R electrically powered equipment can be
operated.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for approximately
three seconds. This function operates
independently of the ECO start/stop
automatic engine switch-off function.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
starting the engine or lights up while driving,
see (Y
page 318).
X Insert Start/Stop button 0002into ignition
lock 0003.
i When you insert Start/Stop button 0002
into ignition lock 0003, the system needs
approximately two seconds recognition
time. You can then use Start/Stop
button 0002.
Activating power supply
X If Start/Stop button 0002has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey
being removed from the ignition.
X Press Start/Stop button 0002once.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windshield wipers, for
example. 158
DrivingDriving and parking