X
To activate/deactivate: press button0010.
If indicator lamp 001Ais lit, operatio nofthe
rear side windows is disabled. Operation is
only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. If indicator lamp 001Ais off,
operation is possible using the switches in
the rear compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 66)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System) (Y page 67)
R BAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System Plus)
(Y page 67)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 68)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Y page 71)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 72)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 72) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving 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,f
or vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditionsa nd maintain asafe distanc efrom
th ev ehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems describe donly
work as effectivel yaspossible when there
is adequat econtac tbetween th etires and
th er oad surface. Pleas epay special
attentio ntothenote sont ires,
recommende dminimu mtire tread depths,
etc .(Ypage 334).
In wintry drivin gconditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
sno wchains. Only in this way will the
drivin gsafet ysystems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Brakin
gSystem)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafet ynotes"
sectio n(Ypage 66). G
WARNING
If ABSisf aulty, 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.H ave ABS checked
immediately at aqualified 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 267) and
displaym essages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 238).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such away
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking. 66
Driving safety systemsSafety
As
aresult, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is arisk 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 sensor soranythin gelse
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 an arrow vehicle travelin ginfront, e.g. a
motorbike
R av ehicle travelin ginfrontonad ifferent line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the fron tend of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensor schecked at aqualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where ther eisno
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle.
Braking assistance To prevent
acollision with the vehicle in front,
BAS PLUS calculates the brake force
necessary if:
R you approach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS has detected arisk of collision
When driving at aspeed under 20 mph
(30 km/h):ify ou depress the brake pedal,
BAS PLUS is activated. The increase in brake
pressure will be carried out at the last
possible moment.
When driving at aspeed greater than
20 mph (30 km/h):ify ou depress the brake
pedal sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises
the brake pressure to avalue adapted to the
traffic situation.
If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE
®
)a re
activated simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergenc ybraking situation is over.
ABS prevent sthe wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual if:
R you release the brake pedal
R there is no longer arisk of collision
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). 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.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the parking brake is being
tested on abrake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
(Y page 330) when towing the
vehicle with araised rear axle.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0009warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 0011 warning lamp and the 0009
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to amalfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 269) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 238). 68
Driving safety systemsSafety
Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(AMG
vehicles) Activating/deactivating SPORT handling
mode G
WARNING
Whe nSPORT handling mode is activated,
there is agreater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activat eSPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. X
To activate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0005 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The SPORT handling mode message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode is designed for
driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and
understeering characteristics are desired.
Drivin ginSPORT handling mode requires
an extremely qualified and experienced
driver who is able to cope with these critical
driving conditions.
X To deactivate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0005 SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started. It may be best to activat
eSPORT handling
mode in the following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the 0011ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is only restricted to alimited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinnin gwheels 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
as top. The engine start sautomatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status. For
example, if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
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 spinnin gthe driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. 70
Driving safety systemsSafety
X
To deactivate: press button001Aunti lthe
0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The 0011OFF message appear
sinthe
multifunctio ndisplay.
Deactivate ESP ®
when drivin gon
designated roads when the vehicle's own
oversteerin gand understeering
characteristics are desired. Drivin gwithout
ESP ®
require sanextremely qualified and
experienced drive rwho is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X To activate: briefly press button 001A.
The 0009 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes out. The 0011ON message appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or mor ewheels
start to spin ,the 0011 ESP®
warnin glamp in
the instrumen tcluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivat eESP®
in the
followin gsituations:
R when using sno wchains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivat eESP®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves drivin gstability.
R traction control is still activated. R
PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brak efirmly and ESP ®
intervenes.
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is no longer available, it
is also not activated if you brak efirmly and
ESP ®
intervenes.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin .The spinning
wheels produce acuttin geffect for better
traction.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
as top. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status. For
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 66). 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 aqualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 267) as well as
displaym essages (Y page 240).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. Driving safety systems
71Safety Z
In order to maintain the appropriat
edistance
to the vehicle in front and thus prevent a
collision, you must apply the brakes yourself.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditionsm ay cause
unnecessar ywarning sortheunnecessary
intervention of PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
Followin gdamag etothe front end of the
vehicle, have the configuratio nand operation
of the rada rsensor schecked at aqualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where ther eisno
visible damage to the fron tofthe vehicle.
Function X
To activate/deactivate: activate or
deactivate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-
board computer (Y page 228).
If the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is not activated, the
0001 symbol appears in the multifunction
display.
If you approach avehicle in front very quickly,
this function warns you from aspeed of
approximately 4mph (7 km/h). An
intermittent warning tone sounds and the
0008 distance warning signal lamp in the
instrumentc luster lightsup.
X Brake immediately to defuse the situation.
or
X Take evasiv eaction provided it is safe to do
so.
Fro mas peed of approximately 4mph
(7 km/h), if the driver and fron tpassenger
have fastened their seat belts, PRE-SAFE ®
Brak ecan brake the vehicle automatically at
speeds up to approximately 124 mph
(200 km/h).
You can preven tthe intervention of the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brak eata ny time by:
R depressin gthe accelerator pedal further.
R activating kickdown.
R releasing the brake pedal. The brakin
gaction of PRE-SAFE ®
Brak eis
ended automatically if:
R you maneuver to avoid the obstacle.
R ther eisnol onger any danger of arear-end
collision.
R ther eisnol onger an obstacle detected in
fron tofy our vehicle.
If you approach an obstacle and PRE-SAFE ®
Brak edetects arisk of acollision, the system
will alert you both visually and acoustically. If
you do not brake or tak eevasive action ,the
system will warn you by automatically braking
the vehicle gently. If ther eisanincreased risk
of collision, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)a re
activated (Y page 54). Ifarisk of collision
remains at speeds of over 20 mph
(30 km/h) and you do not brake, tak eevasive
action or significantly accelerate, automatic
brakin gmay be performed up to and including
emergency braking. Automatic emergency
brakin gisnot performed until immediately
prior to an acciden tthat can no longer be
avoided. Thef
tdeterrent locking system Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switchthe
ignition off and open the driver' sdoor.
X To deactivate: switchont he ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always tak ethe
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Anyone can start the engin eifavalid
SmartKey has been left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engin ecannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty. Theft deterrent locking system
73Safety Z
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 not ethat your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related system sand functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 26).Correct driver's seat position
G
WARNING
You could lose contro lofyour vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver' sseat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R faste nthe seat belt
There is arisk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before startingt he engine. X
Observe the safety guidelines on seat
adjustment (Y page 99).
X Make sure that seat 0024is adjusted
properly.
Electrical seat adjustment (Y page 100)
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you are as far away from the driver's air bag
as possible.
R you are sitting in anormal upright position.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly.
R you have moved the backrest to an almost
vertical position.
R you have set the seat cushion angle so that
your thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.
X Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment (Y page 106).
X Make sure that steering wheel 001Ais
adjusted properly.
Adjustingt he steering wheel electrically
(Y page 106)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrumentc luster clearly.
X Observe the safet yguideline sfor seat belts
(Y page 55).
X Check whether you have fastened seat
belt 0010properly (Y page 56). 98
Correct driver'
sseat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
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 detect sany 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 001A
High-beam headlamps
0010 Turn signal, right
0024 High-beam flasher
0021 Turn signal, left
X To switch on: turn the light switch to
000D.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow 001A.
The 0010 indicator lamp in the
multifunction display lights up if it is dark
and the light sensor activates the low-beam
headlamps.
If you are driving 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
0015indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) or other
road users have been detected or the roads
are adequately lit:
The high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The 0015indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The 0010
indicator lamp in the multifunction display
remains lit.
X To switch off: move the combination
switch back to its normal position or move
the light switch to another position.
The 0010 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 light and drive off.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at aqualified
specialist workshop. 122
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers
indicator lamp above the
0010button goes
out.
R Vehicles with COMAN DMultimedia-
System: if you change the settings of the
climate control system, the climate status
display appears for approximately three
seconds at the bottom of the screen in the
COMAND display. See also the separate
COMAND operating instructions .You will
see the current settings of the various
climate control functions.
ECO start/stop function During automatic engine switch-off, the ECO
start/stop function only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require the full
climate control output, you can switch off the
ECO start/stop function by pressing the ECO
button (Y page 152). Overview of climate control systems
133Climate control