Driving safet
ysystems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......59
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 65
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............60
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .60
Electroni cbrake force distribution ...64
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .61
ETS (Electronic Traction System) .....62
Important safety information ...........59
Overview .......................................... 59
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .65
Driving systems
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 184
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 185
Cruis econtrol ................................ 163
Display message ............................ 228
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 166
Driving Assistance package ...........185
Dynami chandling package ............176
HOLD function ............................... 176
Lane Keeping Assist ......................187
Parking Guidance ........................... 181
PARKTRONI C................................. 178
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................147
Brakes ........................................... 160
Break-in period .............................. 134
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 174
Downhill gradient ........................... 160
Drinking and driving .......................159
Driving abroad ............................... 106
Driving in winter ............................ .163
Driving on flooded road s................ 162
Driving on wet road s...................... 162
Exhaus tcheck ............................... 159
Fuel ................................................ 159
General .......................................... 158
Hydroplaning ................................. 162
Icy road surfaces ........................... 163
Limited braking efficiency on
salted road s................................... 161
Snow chains .................................. 311
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 106
Wet road surface ........................... 161Drowsiness detection assistance
system
see ATTENTION ASSIST
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....199
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....200
Dynamic handling package
Function/notes ............................. 176 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................206
Function/notes ................................ 99
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 100
Function/notes ................................ 99
Switching on/off ........................... 206
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Display message ............................ 214
Function/notes ................................ 64
ECO display
Function/notes ............................. 159
On-board computer .......................196
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................140
General information .......................139
Important safety notes ..................139
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electroni cStability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergenc yrelease
Driver's door .................................... 78
Trunk ............................................... 81
Vehicle ............................................. 78
Emergency spare wheel
Important safety notes ..................339
Points to remember .......................339
Removing ....................................... 340
Stowing .......................................... 340
Technical data ............................... 343
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function .......................................... .55
Safety guideline s............................. 408
Index
If necessary:
X
Additionally move the seat backwards.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated.
If necessary:
X Additionally remove the seat belt from the
seat belt guide on the seat backrest and
guide the seat belt back to the belt sash
guide.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 59)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System) (Y page 60)
R BAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System PLUS)
(Y page 60)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 61)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
(Y page 64)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE(Y page 65)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 65) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt yourd riving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt yourd riving style to
suitt he prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain asafe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully. i
The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Please pay special
attention to the note son tires,
recommended minimu mtire tread depths,
etc. (Y page 308).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 59). G
WARNING
If ABSi s faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 244) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 212).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
The yellow 0016ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition Driving safety systems
59Safety Z
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
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
when the low-beam headlamps are switched
on.
Active:
R
if you are driving at speeds below
25mph (40 km/h) and switch on the turn
signal or tur nthe steering wheel.
R if you are driving at speeds between
25mph (40 km/h) and45mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signals or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes. Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the
steering movements of the front wheels. In
this way, relevant areas remain illuminated
while driving. This allows you to recognize
pedestrians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
R
visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary. 110
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers
Activating when driving towards a
stationary vehicle
X
Briefly pull the cruise control leve rtoward
you 0024, up 0003or down 0023.
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0003to the
pressure point for a higher speed or
down 0023for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
or
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0003 past the pressure point for a higher
speed or down 0023for a lower speed.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up or down, the last speed stored
is increased or reduced.
If the vehicle in front of you is stationary, you
can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your
vehicle is stationary as well.
i DISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at
under 20 mph (30km/h) if a vehicle in front
has been detected. Therefore, the
DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the
instrumen tcluster should be activated
(Y page 201).
i You can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the
cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance (Y page 172).
Pulling away and driving G
WARNING
When you step on the brake pedal, you switch
off the DISTRONIC PLUS except when the
vehicle is at a standstill. The DISTRONIC PLUS
will no longer brake your vehicle. You are
always responsible for maintaining a distance
fro mo thervehicles, observing road speeds
and braking well in advance. X
If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever toward
you 0024.
or
X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its
speed to that of the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in fron thas slowed down, it brakes your
vehicle. It maintains the preset distance to
the vehicle in front.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving
vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed.
However, the vehicle is only accelerated up
to the speed you have stored.
Changing lanes G
WARNING
DISTRONI CPLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only aids designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention. The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and yours urroundings.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an acciden tand injure yourself
and others.
If you wish to change to the passing lane (in
countries where traffic drives on the right, the
passing lane is the left-hand lane),
DISTRONIC PLU Ssupports you if:
R you are driving faster than 40mph
(60 km/h).
R DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the
distance to a vehicle in front. 170
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking
until the arrow is white and a warning tone
sounds.
X To reverse into the parking space:
maintai nthe steering wheel angle and
reverse carefully.
X Stop as soon as you hear a warning tone,
The vehicle has reached the position in
which you need to countersteer.
The Please Steer Wheel to the Right or
Please Steer Wheel to the Left message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Countersteering: while the vehicle is
stationary, turn the steering wheel in the
specified direction until the arrow is white
and a warning tone sounds.
X To reverse into the parking space:
maintain the steering wheel angle and
reverse carefully.
X Stop as soon as you hear a warning tone,
at the latest when PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone.
The Parking Guidance Finished message appears in the multifunction
display and a tone sounds. You may be
asked to steer in
adifferent direction and
the nchange gear. In this case, further
displays in the multifunction display will
direct you to the final position.
X Maneuver if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC (Y page 179).
Canceling Parking Guidance X
Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
center console (Y page 180).
Parking Guidance is canceled immediately
and PARKTRONIC is deactivated.
Parking Guidance is canceled automatically if
it is no longer possible to guide you into the
parking space, or if a malfunction occurs.
The parking space symbol goes out and a
warning tone sounds. The ParkingGuidance Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display. ATTENTION ASSIST
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not recognize fatigue or
increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system cannot
substitute a rested and attentive driver.
Fatigue can cause you to recognize dangers
too late, to misjudge potential dangers, or to
react slower. Therefore, make sure to be
rested before and during your trip. Take rests
early enough and regularly, especially during
long trips. Failure to do so could cause you to
recognize dangers too late which could result
in an accident and serious injury to you and/
or others.
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous journeys such as on freeways
and interstate highways. It is active in the
range between 50 mph (80 km/h) and
112 mph (180 km/h).
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical
indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in
concentration on the part of the driver, it
suggests you take a break.
ATTENTION ASSIST assesses your level of
fatigue or lapses in concentration by taking
the following criteria into account:
R your personal driving style, e.g. steering
characteristics
R driving conditions, e.g. time, driving time
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the
surface is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration 184
Driving systemsDriving and parking
R
if you are predominantly driving slower
than 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster than
112 mph (180 km/h)
R if you are currently using COMAND or
making a telephone call with it
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction display X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 202).
Symbol 0003appears in the multifunction
display.
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after your
journey has begun. You the nhear an
intermittent warning tonet wice and the
Attention Assist: Take a Break! message appears in the multifunction
display.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the 000Bor0007 button to confirm
the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good
time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST
still detects increasing lapses in
concentration, you will be warned again after
15 minutes at the earliest. ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you
continue your journey and starts assessing
your tiredness again if:
R
you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g .for a change of drivers or
to take a break. Driving Assistance package
General notes The Driving Assistance package consists of
DISTRONIC PLUS (Y
page 166), Blind Spot
Assist (Y page 186) and Lane Keeping Assist
(Y page 187).
Blind Spot Assist Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid designed to
assist driving. It may fail to detect some
vehicles and is no substitute for attentive
driving.
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions. It may fail to detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
may only detect them too late.
Monitoring may be affected by dirty sensors,
strong spray or poor visibility caused by snow,
rain or mist, for example. In this case, vehicles
are detected late or not at all.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular RadarS ystem”.The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z