
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 177) and hill start assist
(Y page 139). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
i Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 59).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
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 detects a risk of collision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically as
well as by automatic braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot preven tacollision withoutyour
intervention.
Starting at a speed of around
20 mph (30 km/h), this function warns you if
you very quickly approach a vehicle in front.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the 000Cdistance warning lamp will light
up in the instrument cluster.
X Brake immediately in orde rto 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
20 mph (30 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.
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.
At speeds up to approximately
40 mph (70 km/h), PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can
also detect stationary obstacles such as
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 50).
If a risk of collision remains and you do not
brake, take evasive action or significantly
accelerate, automatic braking may be
performed up to a level of automatic
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 emergenc ybraking cannot prevent
a collision. There is a risk of an accident. Driving safety systems
65Safety
Z

Automatic headlamp mode
G
WARNING
If the ligh tswitch is set to 0005and it is foggy,
snowing or there is poor visibility, the low-
beam headlamps will not come on
automatically. This could endange ryou and
others. In such situations turn the light switch
to 000A.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
0005 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 1in 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 0005.
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
brightness :ifyou turn the light switch to
0013, you turn on the daytime running
lamps and parking lamps.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 000A, 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 204).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0013or000A, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
i In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
Low-beam headlamps G
WARNING
If the light switch is set to 0005and it is foggy,
snowing or there is poor visibility, the low-
beam headlamps will not come on
automatically. This could endanger you and
others. In such situations turn the light switch
to 000A.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
Even if the light sensor does not detect that
is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock and the light
switch is set to the 000Aposition. 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 000A.
The green 000Aindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. Exterior lighting
107Lights and windshiel dwipers Z

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 easie
rfor other
road users to see you. They can be operated
together with the parking lamps or together
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 000Aor0005.
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The green 000Bindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front fog lamps: press
the 000B button.
The green 000Bindicator 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
heavy fog. Please take note of the country-
specific regulations for the use of rear fog
lamps.
X To switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2
or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 000Aor0005.
X Press the 000Dbutton.
The yellow 000Dindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
000D button.
The yellow 000Dindicator 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.A lways parkyour vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the
0013parking lamps
for several hours. If possible, switch on the
0010 right or the 000Eleft standing lamp.
X To switch on: turn light switch to 0013.
Standing lamps
Switching on the standin glamps 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 000E(left-hand side
of the vehicle) or 0010(right-hand side of
the vehicle). Combination switch
Turn signals 0003
High-beam headlamps
0004 Turn signal, right
0024 High-beam flasher
0023 Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure poin tinthe
direction of arrow 0004or0023.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 0004or0023. 108
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

High-beam headlamps
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 000Aor0005.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow 0003.
In the 0005position, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
The 0009 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 0009 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignitio nlock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 0024. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0003.
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 0003.
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.
If the vehicle returns to a speed of over
6m ph (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 (Y page 115) while the
lights are on and the engine is running. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. The
cornering light function can only be activated Exterior lighting
109Lights and windshield wipers Z

You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change betwee
nlow 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 X
To activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer (Y page 204).
X Turn the light switch to 0005.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow 0003
(Y page 108).
The 0002 indicator lamp in the
multifunction display lights up if it is dark
and the light sensor activates the low-beam
headlamps.
If you drive 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 0009indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you drive at speeds below approximately
30 mph (45 km/h) or if other road users
are identified or if the roads are sufficiently
illuminated: the high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The
0009indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The 0002
indicator lamp in the multifunction display
remains lit.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The 0002 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 fogging diminishes, depending
on the length of the journey and the
weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of fogging does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Overhead control panel
0003
0012 Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off
0004 0019 Switches the automatic interior
lighting control on/off Interior lighting
111Lights and windshiel dwipers Z

i
If you then open the driver's door when in
this position, the powers upply is
deactivated.
Switching on the ignition
X Press Start/Stop button 0003twice.
The ignition is switched on.
i The power supply is switched off if you
press Start/Stop button 0003twice when in
this position and the driver's door is open.
As soo nas 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,
there may be a technical problem
(Y page 244).
Removing the Start/Stop button You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as
normal using the SmartKey.
X Remove Start/Stop button 0003from ignition
lock 0004.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces
without sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i AMG vehicles: the exhaust flap of the
exhaust system will be checked after every
cold start. Aresulting noise can be heard
during this process.
i During a cold start, the engine runs at
higher speeds to enable the catalytic
converter to reach its operating
temperature. The sound of the engine may
change during this time.
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
i You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey X
Turn the key to position 3in the ignition
lock (Y page 135)a nd release it as soo nas
the engine is running.
i To start the engine using the SmartKey
instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/
Stop button out of the ignition lock. Driving
137Driving an d parking Z

Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
G
WARNING
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can be started. Therefore, neve rleave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an acciden tand/o rserious personal
injury.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The
Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be
in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press Start/Stop button (Y page 136)
once.
The engine starts. Pulling away
Manual transmission !
Change gear in good time and avoid
spinning the wheels. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the electric parking brake
(Y page 156).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerator pedal. i
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away .The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 206).
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the shift lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 156) is
automatically released.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 206).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly. 138
DrivingDriving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The engine does not
start. X
Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Turn the SmartKey back to position 0in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
or
X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster go out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 137). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 299).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine is not
running smoothly and
is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. Driving
143Driving and parking Z