PLUS cannot intervene in these cases. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
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 the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in frontonadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle G
WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the fron tend of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle.
i This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "VehicularR adar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, altering or
tampering with the device will void any
warranties, and is no tpermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use the
device in any non-approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition .Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 302).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0014warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engin eis running.
If the 000C warning lamp and the 0014
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 246) and displaym essages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 212).
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. Driving safet
ysystems
61Safety Z
If ESP
®
intervenes, the 000CESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt yourd riving style to suitt he
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59).
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.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). 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.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To switch off: press button0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster lights up.
X To switch on: press button0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumen tcluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. The engine starts automatically when
the drive rwants to pull away again .ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
star tto spin, the 000CESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety
X
To deactivate: press button0003until the
0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The 000COFF message appears in the
multifunctio ndisplay.
Deactivate ESP ®
when driving on
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired. Driving without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced drive rwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X To activate: briefly press button 0003.
The 0014 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes out. The 000CONmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ESP ®
000C warning lamp in
the instrumen tcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated. R
PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP ®
intervenes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brake firmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). 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 244) as well as
display messages (Y page 214).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety
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
Always apply the brakes yoursel
fand try to
take evasive action. G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake canno talways clearly
identify objects and complex traffic
conditions.
In these cases, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may:
R give an unnecessary warnin gand then
brake the vehicle
R not give a warning or intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particula rattention to the traffic
situatio nand be ready to brake, especially if
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake warns you. Terminate the
interventio ninanon-critical driving situation.
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 othe rradar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in fron tonadifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle G
WARNING
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may neither
give warnings nor intervene in all critical
situations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. In order to maintain the appropriate distance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
collision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
X
To activate/deactivate: activate or
deactivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-
board computer (Y page 202).
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is activated, the
0001 symbol appears in the multifunction
display as long as the HOLD function is
deactivated (Y page 177). On vehicles with
Parking Guidance, the 0001symbol is
displayed when position Pis engaged or
you are driving faster than 22 mph
(35 km/h).
For PRE-SAFE ®
Brake to assist you when
driving, the radar senso rsystem mus tbe
switched on (Y page 206) and be
operational.
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors 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.
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a "Vehicular RadarS ystem".
The rada rsensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removing,
altering or tampering with the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or
use the device in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.66
Theft deterrent locking systemSafety
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 23).SmartKey
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, and do not give them access
to an unlocked vehicle. Achild's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in
operation even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the ignition, such as the
seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment or memory function.
If children open a door, they could cause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if
they get out of the vehicle, they could injure
themselves when doing so or be seriously or
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very hot, and a child could be burned on these
parts.
G
WARNING
If a key ring is too heavy or too large, the
weight acting on the SmartKey could cause it
to turn in the ignition lock or catch on the
steering wheel. This could cause the engine
to be switched off suddenly. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large key rings to
the SmartKey that is inserted in the ignition.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada.O peration is subjectto
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accep tany interference
received, including interference tha tmay
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modificatio nto this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment. 70
SmartKeyOpening/closing
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
R Do not keep the SmartKey:
- 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 affect the SmartKey's
functionality.
Keep the SmartKey away from strong
magnetic fields. Otherwise, the remote
control function could be affected. SmartKey functions
0003
000F To lock the vehicle
0004 0006 To unlock the trunk lid
0024 0010 To unlock the vehicle
X To unlock centrally: press the0010
button.
If you do not open the vehicle within
approximately 40 seconds of unlocking:
R the vehicle is locked again.
R the theft deterrent locking system is
armed again.
X To lock centrally: press the000Fbutton.
The SmartKey centrally locks/unlocks:
R the doors
R the trunk lid
R the glove box R
the stowage compartment in the center
console
R the fuel filler flap
When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible
signal can be activated and deactivated using
the on-board computer (Y page 206).
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page 205). KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started
by any of the vehicle occupants if there is a
KEYLESS-GO key in the vehicle.
Locking and unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry
the SmartKey with you. When you touch the
surface of the sensors on the vehicle's
outside door handles, KEYLESS-GO
establishes a radio connection between the
vehicle and the SmartKey. When the engine
is started and whilst you are driving,
KEYLESS-GO also check
swhether a valid
SmartKey is in the vehicle by periodically
establishing radio contact.
You can combine the functions of KEYLESS-
GO with those of a conventional key. Unlock
the vehicle by using KEYLESS-GO, for
instance, and lock it using the 000Fbutton on
the SmartKey.
When locking or unlocking with KEYLESS-GO,
the distance between the SmartKey and the
corresponding door handle must not be
greater than 3 ft (1 m). SmartKey
71Opening/closing Z
X
To unloc kthe vehicle: touch the inner
surface of the door handle.
X To loc kthe vehicle: touch sensor
surface 0003.
X Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface 0004for an
extended period (Y page 83).
Further information on the convenience
closing feature (Y page 83).
If you pull on the handl eofthe trunk lid, only
the trunk of the vehicle is unlocked. Changing the settings of the locking
system
You can change the settings of the locking
system. This means only the driver's door, the
lockable stowage compartments in the
vehicle interior and the fuel filler flap are
unlocked when the vehicle is unlocked. This
is useful if you frequently travel on your own.
X To change the setting: press and hold
down the 0010and000F buttons
simultaneously for approximately six
seconds until the battery check lamp
flashes twice (Y page 73).
i If the setting of the locking system is
changed within the signal range of the
vehicle, pressing the 000For0010 button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle The SmartKey now functions as follows:
X
To unlock the driver's door: press the
0010 button once.
X To unlock centrally: press the0010
button twice.
X To lock centrally: press the000Fbutton.
The KEYLESS-GO function is changed as
follows:
X To unlock the driver's door: touch the
inner surface of the door handle on the
driver's door.
X To unlock centrally: touch the inner
surface of the front-passenger door handle.
X To lock centrally: touch the outer sensor
surface on one of the door handles.
X To restore the factory settings: press
and hold down the 0010and000F buttons
simultaneously for approximately six
seconds until the battery check lamp
flashes twice (Y page 73). Mechanical key
General notes If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the SmartKey, use the
mechanical key.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door or the trunk lid, the
anti-theft alarm system will be triggered
(Y
page 67).
There are several ways to turn off the alarm:
X To turn the alarm off with the
SmartKey: press the0010or000F button
on the SmartKey.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
or
X To deactivate the alarm with KEYLESS-
GO: press the Start/Stop button in the
ignition lock. The SmartKey must be in the
vehicle. 72
SmartKeyOpening/closing