
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces .Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 347).
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. The
vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your
driving style .Always adapt your driving style
and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing
weathe rconditions.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point. Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must shift to a lower gear
in time. 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.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control 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.
Do not use cruise control:
R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed 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
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0002
To activate or increase speed
0003 To activate or reduce speed
0023 To deactivate cruise control
0022 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed Driving systems
189Driving and parking Z

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

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

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

Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of you rvehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detec tsuch objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damag ethe vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction. PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into
consideration that are:
R
below the detection range, e.g. people,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps. 0002
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function
correctly. Cleant he sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 323). 204
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Cleant he PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 323).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. Aparking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering interventio nand brake application
can assist you during parking .You may also
use PARKTRONIC (Y page 204).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objects are in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable. G
WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active
Parking Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
R where parking or stopping is prohibited
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R on unsuitable surfaces Driving systems
207Driving and parking Z

Active Parking Assist is switched on
automatically when driving forwards
.The
system is operational at speeds of up to
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). While in
operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides
of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider
than your vehicle
i In the case of parking spaces that are at
right angles to the direction of travel,
please ensure that the parking space is
long enough to accommodate your vehicle.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see parking symbol as a
status indicator in the instrument cluster.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
only displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the
driver's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain
switched on until you acknowledge the use of
Active Parking Assist by pressing the 000B
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at
right-angles to the direction of travel.
Ap arking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it. Parking i
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: 0007
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0007 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the 000Bbuttonont he multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. When backing up, drive at a
speed below approximately 6mph
(10 km/h). Otherwise Active Parking Assist
will be canceled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to
a standstill when the vehicle is in the
parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight
parking spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. Driving systems
209Driving and parking Z

The
Park Assist Active Accelerate and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to
a standstill.
The Park Assist Active Select R Observe Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
Further transmission shifts may be
necessary.
As soon as the parking procedure is
complete, the Park Assist Disabled message appears in the multifunction display
and you will hear a tone. The vehicle is now
parked. The vehicle is kept stationary without
the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled when you
depress the accelerator pedal.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions and brake
applications. When Active Parking Assist is
finished, you must steer and brake again
yourself. PARKTRONIC is still available.
X
Maneuver if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC (Y page 205).
Parking tips:
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in fronta nd behind it and the conditions of
the location. It may be the case tha tActive
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb .Ifnecessary, you should cancel the parking procedure with Active
Parking Assist.
R You can also engage forward gear
prematurely. The vehicle redirects and
does not drive as far into the parking space.
Should a gear be changed too early, the
parking procedure will be canceled. A
sensible parking position can no longer be
achieved from this position.
Exiting aparking space In order that Active Parking Assist can
support you whe
nyou exit the parking space:
R the border of the parking space must be
high enough at the front and the rear. A
curb is too small, for example.
R the border of the parking space must not
be too wide, as the position of the vehicle
must not exceed an angle of 45° to the
starting position as it is maneuvering into
the parking space.
R a maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
i Vehicles with automatic transmission:
If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst
the vehicle exits the parking space. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist.
X Start the engine.
X Switch on the turn signal in the direction
you are pulling away.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: 0007
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0007 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking