After a break, another recommendation to take
a break cannot be displayed until after approxi‐
mately 45 minutes.
System limits
The function may be limited in the following
situations, for instance, and will either output
an incorrect warning or no warning at all:▷When the clock is set incorrectly.▷When the vehicle speed is mainly below
about 43 mph/70 km/h.▷With a sporty driving style, such as during
rapid acceleration or when cornering fast.▷In active driving situations, such as when
changing lanes frequently.▷When the road surface is poor.▷In the event of strong side winds.Seite 117SafetyControls117
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Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power even
during full brake applications, thus increasing
active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the power
wheels when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Withinthe physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehi‐
cle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Note Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Do not deactivate DSC when driving with
roof load
Do not deactivate Dynamic Stability Control
DSC when driving with roof load, e.g. roof-
mounted luggage rack.
Otherwise, driving safety is not given in driv‐
ing-critical situation due to the elevated center
of gravity.◀
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF button
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Indicator/warning lightsThe indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
The steering and, depending on the equip‐
ment, suspension are tuned for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept
The DTC system is a version of the DSC where
forward momentum is optimized.The system ensures maximum headway on
special road conditions or loose road surfaces,
e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with some‐
what limited driving stability.
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction. Driving stability is
limited during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
Therefore drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating DTC Press button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
xDrive xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
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Dynamic Damping Control
The concept This system reduces undesirable vehicle mo‐
tion when using a dynamic driving style or trav‐
eling on uneven road surfaces.
The system enhances driving dynamics and
comfort fitting road surface and driving style.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
Select the programs via the Driving Dynamics
Control, refer to page 121.
SPORT
Consistently sporty control of the shock ab‐
sorbers for greater driving agility.
SPORT+ Consistently sporty control of the shock ab‐
sorbers for greater driving agility when driving
with limited driving stabilization.
COMFORT/ECO PRO
Balanced control of the vehicle.
Variable sport steering The variable sport steering increases the
steering angle of the front wheels at large
steering wheel angles, e.g., in tight curves or
when parking. Steering becomes more direct.
It also varies the force required to turn the
wheels in accordance with the vehicle speed.
This results in a sporty steering response. In
addition, it becomes easier to steer during
parking and maneuvering.Active rear spoiler
The concept The active rear spoiler increases driving stabil‐
ity. It extends and retracts automatically de‐
pending on the driving speed.
Hints Keep the movement area unobstructed
Keep the movement area of the rear
spoiler free from obstructions such as icing,
otherwise it may be damaged.◀
Do not take hold of the rear spoiler to
push the vehicle
Do not use the rear spoiler to push the vehicle,
as this may damage the vehicle or lead to inju‐
ries.◀
Follow the instructions for car-wash systems,
refer to page 221, and Care instructions, refer
to page 223.
At a glance
Activate manual/ automatic mode
Press button.
▷LED on: manual mode.▷LED off: automatic mode.
The selected operating mode is retained even
after the ignition has been switched off.
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Automatic mode
A retracted rear spoiler is in automatic mode
when the engine is started. The system may
be initialized while driving, and if this happens
the rear spoiler moves slightly.
Automatic extension When traveling faster than 65 mph/110 km/h.
Automatic retraction When slowing to a speed below
45 mph/70 km/h.
Note
Rear spoilers cannot be retracted manually
when traveling at speeds above
65 mph/110 km/h.
Manual modeManual mode can be used for example for
cleaning the rear spoiler with the ignition
switched on or the engine running.
Keep the movement area unobstructedKeep the movement area of the rear
spoiler free from icing, e.g., otherwise injuries
may occur.◀
Extending the rear spoiler Press button.
The LED lights up, the rear spoiler is extended.
Retracting the rear spoiler Possible at vehicle speeds below
65 mph/110 km/h.
Press button.
The rear spoiler is retracted and the LED goes
out.
The system is in automatic mode.
At vehicle speeds below 10 mph/20 km/h:Hold down button.
The rear spoiler is retracted and the LED goes
out.
The system is in automatic mode.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed. The
rear spoiler is no longer extended or retracted
automatically.
Allow the system to cool down, and if needed
have it checked by the service center.
If a malfunction occurs, the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC is activated at speeds higher than
45 mph/70 km/h.
If the rear spoiler no longer extends, do not ex‐
ceed a speed of 80 mph/130 km/h for the rest
of the journey.
Driving Dynamics Control The conceptThe Driving Dynamics Control helps to fine-
tune the vehicle's settings and features. Vari‐
ous programs can be selected for this purpose.
The Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC
OFF buttons can each be used to activate a
program.
At a glance
Button in the vehicleSeite 121Driving stability control systemsControls121
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Operating the programsPress buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically reel to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 119, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in curves.
TRACTION When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 119, is
activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in curves.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized suspension and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+
Press button repeatedly until SPORT+
appears in the instrument cluster and
the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic program change When activating cruise control, the program
automatically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lights
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT
Depending on the equipment, consistently
sporty tuning of the suspension, steering, and
engine control for greater driving agility with
maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications. The configuration is stored for
the profile currently in use.
Activating SPORT Press button repeatedly until SPORT
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Configuring SPORT When the display is activated on the Control
Display, refer to page 123, the SPORT driving
mode can be set to individual specifications.▷Activating SPORT.▷"Configure SPORT"▷Configuring the SPORT driving mode.
SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐
vated:
1."Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Configure SPORT"4.Configure driving mode.Seite 122ControlsDriving stability control systems122
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This configuration is retrieved when the
SPORT driving mode is activated.
COMFORT For a balanced tuning with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating COMFORT Press button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 122.
ECO PRO ECO PRO, refer to page 175, provides consis‐
tent tuning to minimize fuel consumption for
maximum range with maximum driving stabili‐
zation.
Comfort functions and the engine controller
are adjusted.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
Activating ECO PRO Press button repeatedly until ECO
PRO is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Configuring ECO PRO1.Activate ECO PRO.2."Configure ECO PRO"
Make the desired settings.
Configuring driving program Settings can be made for the following driving
programs in Driving mode:
▷SPORT, refer to page 122.▷ECO PRO, refer to page 176.Displays
Program selection Pressing the button displays a
list of the selectable programs.
Depending on your vehicle's op‐
tional features, the list in the in‐
strument cluster can differ from
the illustration shown.
Selected program The instrument cluster displays
the selected program.
Display on the Control Display Program changes can be displayed on the
Control Display.1."Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Driving mode info"
Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving off on inclines.
The parking brake is not required.
1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive off with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
For vehicles with respective equipment ver‐
sions, the possible holding duration amounts
to 2 minutes.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
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Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin to
roll back.◀
Servotronic The conceptThe Servotronic varies the steering force re‐
quired to turn the wheels in accordance with
the vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering
force is strongly supported, i. e. during steer‐
ing, low force is required. As the speed in‐ creases, the assistance of the steering force is
reduced.
Furthermore, the steering force adapts accord‐
ing to the driving program, so that a direct, sporty feel and/or comfortable steering is con‐
veyed.Seite 124ControlsDriving stability control systems124
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