2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class traction control

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

Snow chains
.................................. 401
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 120
Tire ruts ......................................... 189
Towing atrailer .............................. 253
Traveling uphill ............................... 190
Wet road surface ........................... 183
DSR (Downhill Spee dRegulation)
Display message ............................ 305
Function/notes ............................. 246
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....270
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....270 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................277
Function/notes ............................. 112
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 113
Function/notes ............................. 112
Switching on/off ........................... 277
EASY-PACK load-securing kit ...........340
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Display message ............................ 285
Function/notes ................................ 73
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start ..................162
Automatic engine switch-off ..........162
Deactivating/activating .................163
General information .......................161
Important safety notes ..................161
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electroni cStability Program)
Emergenc yrelease
Driver's door .................................... 86
Vehicle ............................................. 86
Emergency spare wheel
Important safety notes ..................436
Points to remember .......................437
Removing ....................................... 437
Storage location ............................ 437
Technical data ............................... 439
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function .......................................... .59
Safety guideline s............................. 43Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 91
Emissions control
Service and warranty information ....24
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 325
Display message ............................ 299
ECO start/stop function ................161
Engine number ............................... 444
Irregularr unning............................ 164
Jump-starting ................................. 389
Starting problems ..........................164
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 159
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............160
Switching off .................................. 180
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 394
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................164
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 366
Additives ........................................ 450
Checking the oil level ..................... 365
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 366
Display message ............................ 300
Filling capacity ............................... 450
Notes about oil grades ................... 449
Notes on oil level/consumption ....365
Temperature (on-board computer) .278
Viscosity ........................................ 450
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) AMG menu (on-board computer) ...279
Deactivating/activating ...................71
Display message ............................ 283
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 70
Function/notes ................................ 70
Important safety information ...........71
Trailer stabilization ........................... 72
Warning lamp ................................. 321
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 70
Exhaus tcheck ................................... 182
Exhaus tpipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 37410
Index

tha
tare in the path of yourv ehicle for an
extended period of time.
Should you approach an obstacle and
Adaptive Brake Assist has detected a risk of
collision, Adaptive Brake Assist calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a rear-end
collision. Should you apply the brakes
vigorously, Adaptive Brake Assist will
automatically increase the braking force to a
level suitable for the traffic conditions.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in fron tofyour
vehicle.
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
If Adaptive Brake Assist requires particularly
high brake pressure, preventive passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
deployed simultaneously.
Up to vehicle speeds of around 155 mph
(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable
of reacting to moving objects that have
already been recognized as such at least once
over the period of observation. Adaptive
Brake Assist does not react to stationary
obstacles.
If Adaptive Brake Assist is not available due
to a malfunction in the radar sensor system,
the brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages R
a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
. 70
Driving safety systemsSafety

i
The special off-road ABS setting enables
a precise, brief and repeated locking of the
frontw heels. This causes them to dig into
loose earth. Be aware that the front wheels
easily skid across the ground surface if
completely braked and therefore lose their
ability to steer. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control 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 your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially 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, which relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
i
Cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.
Cruise control lever 0002
To activate or increase speed
0003 To activate or reduce speed
001F To deactivate cruise control
001E To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds. In the multifunction display,
the segments between the stored speed and
the maximum speed light up.
Activation conditions To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the electric parking brake must be
released.
R you are driving faster than 20mph
(30 km/h).
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.192
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Trailer indicator 001Fappears in the
multifunction display.
R Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption, changing
gear at optimum points.
R While pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged. Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC 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 your lane.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwo-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop .You could otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficien tgrip.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
DSR (Downhill Spee dRegulation) Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle .When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the set speed when it is active
and the automatic transmission is in the D,
R or Nposition. By accelerating or braking,
you can always drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board
computer.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. DSR 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 your lane.
You are always responsible for keeping
control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be
managed. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Off-road program 1
X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Off-road indicator 001Fappears in the
multifunction display.
Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the highway level.
If you drive at a speed above 70 mph
(110 km/h), off-road program 1 switches to
AUTO program.
Select off-road program 1 for gentle off-road
terrain, e.g. for gravel or sand surfaces or
tracks. The engine's torque is restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can spin.
The spinning wheels produce acutting effect
for better traction.
You can only activate off-road program 1
when driving at speeds below 60 mph
(100 km/h). The Drive Program OFFROAD 1 Max Speed 60 mph (100 km/h ) message
appears in the multifunction display. Off-road program 2
X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selecto rwheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Off-road indicator 001Fappears in the
multifunction display.
R Off-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in
(+60 mm) above the highway level.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
Off-road program 2automatically switches to
off-road program 1 if you drive faster than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Select off-road program 2 for rough terrain,
e.g. for steep and/o rrough terrain or driving
on rocky terrain.
i Your vehicle has an automatically
activated differential lock for the transfer
case. It controls the balance between the
front and rear axles. Driving systems
249Driving and parking Z

The differential lock improves the vehicle’s
traction. 4ETS (Y
page 70) controls the
balance between both wheels on an axle.
You can only activate off-road program 2
when driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h).
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another position. General notes 0002
LOW RANGE off-road gear button
0003 LOW RANGE off-road gear indicator lamp HIGH RANGE
Position for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGE
Off-road position for
driving off-road and
fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. Drive torque
is thus proportionately
higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
R
on slippery road
surfaces, e.g. in the case
of slush
R on snow or ice-covered
roads
R if you have mounted
snow chains to your
vehicle The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose.250
Driving systemsDriving and parking