2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class Airmatic

1, 2, 3 ...
115 Vsocket ...................................... 348
12 Vsocket
see Sockets
360° camera
Function/notes ............................. 225
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 246A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 283
Function/notes ................................ 66
Important safety notes ....................66
Warning lamp ................................. 319
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................145
Active Blin dSpot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 273
Display message ............................ 306
Function/informatio n.................... 237
Trailer towing ................................. 240
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 303
Function/notes ............................. 209
Active Driving Assistance package .237
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 273
Display message ............................ 306
Function/informatio n.................... 241
Trailer towing ................................. 243
Active light function .........................125
Active Parking Assist Display message ............................ 307
Function/notes ............................. 218
Important safety notes ..................217
Towing atrailer .............................. 221
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 73
Adaptive Brake Assist Display message ............................ 290
Function/notes ................................ 69 Adaptive Damping System
see ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 298
Function/notes ............................. 125
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Additives (engine oil) ........................450
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) Function/notes ............................. 209
Airb ags
Display message ............................ 294
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger )....................................... 46
Important safety notes ....................44
Knee bag .......................................... 47
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 48
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Side impact airb ag.......................... 47
Windo wcurtain air bag .................... 48
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airf ilter (display message) ..............301
AIRF LOW ........................................... 146
AIRMATIC package ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ...209
Function/notes ............................. 209
Level control .................................. 210
Airv ents
Glove box ....................................... 152
Important safet ynotes .................. 151
Rea r............................................... 152
Setting ........................................... 151
Setting the center air vents ...........151
Setting the side air vents ...............152
see Climate control
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Setting the color (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ................................................ 212
AMG menu (on-board computer) .....278 4
Index

Overview
.......................................... 84
Power closing feature ......................86
Downhill Spee dRegulation
see DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Drinking and driving .........................182
Drinks holder see Cuph older
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 169
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......165
Manual .......................................... .171
Off-road program (vehicles
without the ON&OFFROAD
package) ........................................ 248
Off-road program (vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package) ..........248
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........279
see On-road programs
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................369
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 120
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angl e............ 190
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......66
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 73
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................69
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............67
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .67
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST ....68
Distance warning function ...............68
Electronic brake force distribution ...73
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 70
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 70
Important safety information ...........66
Overview .......................................... 65
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .73
STEER CONTROL ............................. 75Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 225
Active Blind Spot Assist .................237
Active Curve System ......................209
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 237
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............241
Active Parking Assist .....................217
ADS ............................................... 209
AIRMATIC package ........................209
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 212
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................230
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 233
Cruise control ................................ 192
Display message ............................ 302
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 194
HOLD function ............................... 207
Lane Keeping Assist ......................235
Level control (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package) .......................210
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................204
On-road programs .......................... 243
PARKTRONI C................................. 213
Rea rview camera .......................... 221
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................168
Brakes ........................................... 183
Break-in period .............................. 156
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 202
Downhill gradient ........................... 183
Drinking and driving .......................182
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................ .186
Driving on flooded road s................ 185
Driving on sand .............................. 189
Driving on wet road s...................... 185
Driving over obstacles ...................189
Exhaus tcheck ............................... 182
Fuel ................................................ 182
General .......................................... 182
Hydroplaning ................................. 185
Icy road surfaces ........................... 186
Limited braking efficiency on
salted road s................................... 184
Off-road driving .............................. 187
Off-road fording ............................. 185 Index
9

Level control (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package)
Basic settings ................................ 211
Function/notes ............................. 210
Important safety notes ..................210
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package)
Basi csettings ................................ 205
Function/notes ............................. 204
Important safety notes ..................204
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 297
Light function ,active
Display message ............................ 298
Lights
Activating/deactivating the
interio rlighting delayed switch-off .276
Active light function .......................125
Automatic headlamp mode ............120
Cornering light function .................125
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Hazard warning lamps ...................124
High beam flasher .......................... 124
High-beam headlamps ...................124
Ligh tswitc h................................... 120
Low-beam headlamps ....................121
Parking lamps ................................ 122
Rea rfog lamp ................................ 122
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Setting the color of the ambient
lighting (on-board computer) .........275
Standing lamps .............................. 123
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 275
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 274
Switching the exterio rlighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer )............................ 275
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........275
Turn signals ................................... 123
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
see Lights Light sensor (display message)
.......298
Loading guidelines ............................332
Locking see Centra llocking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 86
Emergency locking ........................... 87
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 85
Locking centrally
see Centra llocking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 276
Low-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 130
Display message ............................ 295
Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 120
Switching on/off ........................... 121
LOW RANGE
Display message ............................ 304
Off-road gea r................................. 250
LOW RANGE off-road gear ................250
Luggage holde r(EASY-PACK load-
securing kit) ...................................... .341
Lumbar support Adjusting (on the seat) ..................107
Luxury head restraints .....................105 M
M+S tires ............................................ 400
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS
Malfunction message
see Display messages
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 372
mbrace Call priority .................................... 354
Display message ............................ 289
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 354
Downloading route s....................... 358
Emergency call .............................. 351
Geo fencing ................................... 358
Important safety notes ..................350
Locating astolen vehicl e............... 357 Index
13

i
Vehicles without ON&OFFROAD menu
and AMG vehicles Function Page
0014
Cup holders 343
Ashtray 346
Cigarette lighter 346
Power socket 347
0015
COMAND controller; see
the separate operating
instructions
0016
0006
Selects off-road
program (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package) 248
0004
Selects the drive
program 169
Selects the drive program
(AMG vehicles)
169 Function Page
0017
0001
DSR (Downhill Speed
Regulation) 246
0018
0002
Level control
(vehicles with AIRMATIC
package) 210
0019
000A
Adaptive Damping
System (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package) 209
000B
Adjusts AMG
adaptive damping system
(AMG vehicles) 212
001A
Stowage compartment 33438
Center consoleAt a glance

The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will lead to high wear. You can obtain further
information about this from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. Keep this in mind, and
adapt your driving and braking accordingly
during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in
correspondingly high brake wear. Observe
the 000A brake wear warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and note any brake status
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly. Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully. Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
set the raised level before driving through
standing water.
Off-road fording !
Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior
equipment. 0002
Fording depth Driving tips
185Driving and parking Z

Fording
depth Steel-sprung vehicles
20 in
(50 cm) Vehicles with the
AIRMATIC package and
AMG vehicles
Raised level 20 in
(50 cm) R
Establish how deep the wate ris and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
R Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select the highest possible vehicle level.
R Restrict the shift range to 1or 2.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
R Do not stop.
R Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
R Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
R Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
R Apply the brakes to dry them after fording. Winter driving
General notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents. Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
i Vehicles with adiesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective
cover. The measuring function of the
onboard diagnosis syste mmay otherwise
provide inaccurate values .Some of these
values are required by law and must
therefore always be accurate.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 400).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 400).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. 186
Driving tipsDriving and parking

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 401).
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces .Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. You
should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point. Off-road driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle. G
WARNING
If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle center
of gravity is raised. This could cause the
vehicle to tip over more easily on uphill or
downhill gradients. There is arisk of an
accident.
Selec tthe lowest possible vehicle level.
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water,
possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get into the brakes. This could result in a reduced
braking effect or in total brake failure and also
in increased wear and tear. The braking
characteristics change depending on the
material ingressing the brakes. Cleant
he
brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a
reduced braking effect or grinding noises,
have the brake system checked in a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
Adapt your driving style to the different
braking characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood of
damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead
to failure of the mechanical assembly or
systems. Adapt your driving style to suit the
terrain conditions. Drive carefully. Have
damage to the vehicle rectified immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not switch to transmission position N
when driving off-road. You could lose control
of the vehicle if you attempt to brake using
the service brake. If the gradient is too steep,
drive backwards in reverse gear.
General notes Read this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R
Off-road ABS (Y page 66)
R AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(Y page 209)
R DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Y page 246)
Observe the following notes:
R Stop the vehicle before starting to drive
along an off-road route.
R For vehicles with the AIRMATIC
package: select a vehicle level that is
suitable for the off-road terrain. To avoid Driving tips
187Driving and parking Z

damaging the vehicle, make sure there is
always sufficient ground clearance.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 337).
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
Activate DSR( Ypage 246).
R Always keep the doors, tailgate, windows
and sliding sunroof closed while driving.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Look out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's
wheels could become stuc kinloose
ground.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
i Do not use the HOLD function when
driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill
gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.
The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle
on such surfaces. Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
X Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the
engine oil level must be sufficiently high to
ensure a correc toil supply in the vehicle.
X DEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
fluid level and, if necessary, refill to the
maximum (13 l) (Y page 177).
X Wheel-changing tool kit: check that the
jac kis working and make sure you have the
lug wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a
loss of tire pressure and damage the tire
bead. Therefore, check your rims before
driving off-road and replace them as
required.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 246).
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
lower the vehicle to a ride height suitable
for the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level. 188
Driving tipsDriving and parking