X
Press the cruise control lever up 0002for a
higher speed or down 0003for a lower speed.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up 0002or
down 0003to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0002or down 0003the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
X To adjust the set speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0002 or down 0003to the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is
pressed up 0002or down 0003the last speed
stored is increased or reduced.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise control adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0002.
or
X Brake. Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R
you depress the parking brake
R you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. You will see the Cruise Control Off message in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i When you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared. DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and
automatically helps you maintain the
distance to the vehicle detected in front.
Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar
sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
automatically so that the set speed is not
exceeded.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is
especially importan
tifthe vehicle is laden. By
doing so, you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk
of a collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot
prevent a collision without your intervention.
An intermittent warning tone will then sound
and the distance warning lamp will light up in
the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in
order to increase the distance to the vehicle
in front or take evasive action provided it is
safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational. Driving systems
191Driving and parking Z
DISTRONIC PLU
Soperates in range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System".
The radar senso ris 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
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
R people or animals
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g.
stopped or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly
identify other road users and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle
R neither give a warning nor intervene
R accelerate unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is
a risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourselfa nd
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or othe rsimilar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot tak einto account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in 192
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in you
rlane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constan tspeed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces .Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other rada rsources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed.
This speed may:
R be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-hand drive
countries)
R be so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Cruise control lever 0002
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0003 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0023 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0022 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
0020 To set the specified minimum distance
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the parking brake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R Active Parking Assist must not be
activated.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R the driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
R the front-passenger door must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid. Driving systems
193Driving and parking Z
i
You will see the stored speed for about
five seconds when you activate DISTRONIC
PLUS.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0002.
or
X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message
in the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remain sstored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLU Sis not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically
deactivated if:
R you engage the parking brake
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull awaya nd the front-
passenge rdoor is open
R the vehicle has skidded
R you activate Active Parking Assist
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in themultifunction display for approximately five
seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations:
R
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
R Vehicles traveling on a different line
R Other vehicles changing lanes
R Narrow vehicles
R Obstructions and stationary vehicles
R Crossing vehicles
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on
adifferent line 198
Driving systemsDriving and parking
DISTRONIC PLUS wit
hSteering Assist General notes
DISTRONIC PLU
SSteering Assist aids you in
keeping the vehicle in the cente rofthe driving
lane by means of moderate steering
interventions at speeds of 0 - 125 mph
(0 - 200 km/h).
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist monitors
the area in front of your vehicle by means of
camera system 0002, at the top of the
windshield.
At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h)
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist focuses on
lane markings that are present.
At speeds of 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h)
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist focuses on
the vehicle in front, taking into account lane
markings, e.g. when following vehicles in a
traffic jam.
DISTRONIC PLUS must be active in order for
the Steering Assist function to be available.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS SteeringA ssist can neither
reduce the risk of an accident nor override the
laws of physics. DISTRONIC PLUS Steering
Assist cannot take into account road,
weather or traffic conditions. DISTRONIC
PLUS Steering Assist is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not
detect road and traffic conditions. If you are following a vehicle which is driving towards
the edge of the road, your vehicle could come
into contact with the curb or other road
boundaries. In the case of deviations in road
markings, beware of other road users, e.g.
cyclists, that are in the direct vicinity of your
vehicle.
Obstacles such as building site huts on the
lane or projecting out into the lane are not
detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g.
after intentionally driving over a lane marking,
can be corrected at any time if you steer
slightly in the opposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist cannot
continuously keep your vehicle in lane. In
some cases, the steering intervention is not
sufficient to bring the vehicle back to the lane.
In such cases, you must steer the vehicle
yourselft
o ensure that it does not leave the
lane.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflections (e.g. when the road
surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R no, or several, unclear lane markings are
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction
area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are strong shadows cast on the lane 200
Driving systemsDriving and parking
Pay attention also to the importan
tsafety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 192).
The steering interventions are carried out
with a limited steering moment. The system
requires the driver to keep his hands on the
steering wheel and to steer himself.
If you do no tstee ryourself or if take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you
with a visual warning. Asteering wheel
symbol appears in the multifunctio ndisplay.
If you have still not started to steer and have
not taken hold of the steering wheel after five
seconds, a warning tone also sounds to
remind you to take control of the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is then
switched to passive .DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active.
The system is switched to passive and no
longer assists you by performing steering
interventions if:
R you actively change lanes
R you switch on the turn signal
R take yourh ands off the steering wheel or
do no tstee rfor a prolonged period of time
i After you have finished changing lanes,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
automatically active once more.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not
provide assistance:
R on very sharp corners
R if no lane markings or no clear lane
markings have been detected
R if the vehicle in front is not detected at
speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h)
R in tire run-flat mode
Activating Steering Assist
X Select the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist function using the on-board
computer (Y page 242).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant On message appears in the multifunction
display .DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist
is activated. Information in the multifunction display
If DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
activated but is not ready for a steering
intervention, steering wheels
ymbol0002
appears in grey. If th esystem provides you
with suppor tby means of steering
interventions, symbol 0002is shown in green.
Deactivating Steering Assist
X Deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS with
Steering Assis tfunction using the on-board
computer (Y page 242).
The DTR+ Steering Assistant Off message appears in the multifunction
display. DISTRONIC PLU
SSteering Assist
is deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLU Sis deactivated,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Driving systems
201Driving and parking Z
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by th eHOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similars ituations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until 00010002 appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and the ntry again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until 0001
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
When the HOLD function is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
position Pif:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belti s unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. 202
Driving systemsDriving and parking
Dynamic handling package with
sports mode
General notes The most important part of the dynamic
handling package with sports mode is the
adjustable damping system. This
automatically controls and adapts the
suspensio nto the respective driving
situation.
The calibration of the suspension depends
on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R your individual selection; see the following
description
Vehicles with dynamic handling package
with sports mode: In addition to the drive
programs Eand S, there is also the manual
drive program M(Ypage 176).
Sports tuning Example: position of dynamic handling package
with sports mode button
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads.
X Start the engine.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. The sports
suspension setting is selected. i
Your selection remains stored until you
switch off the engine.
Comfort tuning In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfor
tmode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X If indicator lamp 0023 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0023lights up. The
comfortable suspension setting is
selected. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z