
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Press button 0044.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
HIGH
HIGH RANGE RANGE transfer case position appears
in the multifunction display.
Indicator lamp 0043goes out.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display:
R TC shift Conditions Not Fulfilled TC shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift
conditions.
R TC NEUTRAL On
TC NEUTRAL On
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. Transfer case
position N
N appears in the multifunction
display.
R TC shift Canceled TC shift Canceled
The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process.
X Carry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for
changing gears.
R TC Malfunction Visit Workshop
TC Malfunction Visit Workshop
There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral
position, power transmission to the driven
wheels is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle
could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and
on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it
with a device such as a wheel chock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
X Apply the parking brake. X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position
N(Y page 145).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button 0044for
approximately 10 seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
TC In Neutral TC In Neutral message appears in the
multifunction display for 5 seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display ( Ypage 233).
i If the transfer case is in Neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the TC In
TC In
Neutral
Neutral message appears in the
multifunction display. If you then release
the parking brake, a warning tone will
sound. Differential locks
General notes G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking
and the braking distance is increased. There
is a risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip.
! In order to avoid damage to the transfer
case, you must operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only
if:
R the axle not driven on is jacked up
or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is
disconnected and the transfer case
differential lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be
damaged. Off-road driving systems
195Driving and parking Z

Differential locks improve the traction of the
vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock each for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential and
differential locks When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The
differential, a transmission in the drive train,
compensates for these different rotational
speeds, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential is that more
power is transferred to the wheels that have
the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven
axle is on a snow-covered surface and
therefore does not have any traction. The
differential causes this wheel to be subjected
to the strongest driving force, as the flow of
force takes the path of least resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore
allow propulsion, receives no driving power.
4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.
4ETS provides good steerability by
automatically braking the spinning wheel.
4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface
with more drive force, which in turn provides
propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-
road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. Your
vehicle is equipped with three differential
locks: R
a central differential lock for the transfer
case,
R a differential lock for the front axle and
R a differential lock for the rear axle.
Each differential lock can be engaged with the
respective switch on the center console. If
the transfer case differential is disabled, the
front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.
If the differential for the rear axle is locked,
both rear wheels turn at the same speed,
regardless of their individual torques. Please
note that activating the differential locks
severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.
Please note that the functions of the
differential are absolutely necessary for
driving on paved roads. The differential locks
must never be engaged when driving on
paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not
be steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. The differential locks must therefore
only be engaged when driving off-road. You
may only engage the differential locks if the
functions of the 4ETS and ESP ®
driving
systems and the LOW RANGEoff-road gear
are insufficient.
i The differential locks are only available in
the LOW RANGE off-road gear.
Engaging the differential locks Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a
risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking 196
Off-road driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Left control panel
0059
0065 R
Calls up the menu and menu bar 0063
0064
Press briefly:
R
Scrolls in lists
R Selects a submenu or function
R In the Audio Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track or
a video scene
R In the Tel Tel(telephone) menu:
switches to the phone book and
selects a name or telephone
number 0063
0064
Press and hold:
R
In the Audio Audio menu: selects the
previous/next station or selects
an audio track or a video scene
using rapid scrolling
R In the Tel Tel(telephone) menu:
starts rapid scrolling if the phone
book is open 0076 R
Confirms a selection/display
message
R In the Tel Tel(telephone) menu:
switches to the telephone book
and starts dialing the selected
number
R In the Audio Audio menu: stops the
station search function at the
desired station Right control panel
0076 R
Rejects or ends a call
R Exits phone book/redial
memory 0061 R
Makes or accepts a call
R Switches to the redial memory 0081
0082 R
Adjusts the volume 0063 R
Mute Back button
0038
Press briefly:
R
Back
R Switches off the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions
R Hides display messages/calls
up the last Trip Tripmenu function
used
R Exits the telephone book/redial
memory 0038
Press and hold:
R
Calls up the standard display in
the Trip Trip menu Multifunction display
0043
Transmission position (Y page 148)
0044 Drive program (Y page 149)
0087 Description field
0085 Menu bar Displays and operation
207On-board computer and displays Z

0083
Outside temperature or speed
(Ypage 215)
0084 Time
006B Transfer case position (Y page 193)
X To show menu bar 0085:press the 0059
or 0065 button on the steering wheel.
Menu bar 0085disappears after a few seconds.
Text field 0087shows the selected menu or
submenu as well as display messages.
For further information on displaying the
transmission position, see (Y page 146).
i You can set the time using the audio
system or COMAND, see the separate
operating instructions.
The following messages may appear in the
multifunction display:
0097 Upshift indicator (Y page 151)
00B2 Cruise control (Y page 168)
LIM
LIM SPEEDTRONIC (Y
page 174)
00A7 ECO start/stop function (AMG
vehicles) (Y page 141)
LOW LOW
RANGE RANGE LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y
page 194)
00D9 HOLD function (Y page 188)Menus and submenus
Menu overview
Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to call up the menu bar and
select a menu.
Operating the on-board computer
(Y page 206).
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you can call up the following menus:
R Trip
Trip menu (Y page 208)
R Navi Navi menu (navigation instructions)
(Y page 209)
R Audio
Audio menu (Y page 211)
R Tel
Tel menu (telephone) (Y page 212)R
DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu (assistance)
(Y page 213)
R Serv.
Serv. menu (Y page 214)
R Sett.
Sett. menu (Y page 214)
R AMG
AMG menu in AMG vehicles (Y page 217) Trip menu
Standard display X
Press and hold the 0038button on the
steering wheel until the Trip
Tripmenu with
trip odometer 0043and odometer 0044is
shown.
Trip computer "From start" or "From
reset" Example: trip computer "From Start"
0043
Distance
0044 Time
0087 Average speed
0085 Average fuel consumption
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Trip Tripmenu.
X Press 0063or0064 to select From Start
From Start
or From Reset
From Reset.
The values in the From Start
From Startsubmenu are
calculated from the start of a journey whilst
the values in the From Reset
From Reset submenu are208
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Driving systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions TC Shift
TC Shift
Conditions Not Conditions Not
Fulfilled Fulfilled
Apply Brake/ Apply Brake/
Parking Brake Parking Brake The parking brake has not been applied and the brake pedal has
not been depressed. The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in
Neutral. There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 194).
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC Malfunction TC Malfunction
Visit WorkshopTo Visit WorkshopTo
park, apply the park, apply the
parking brake parking brake There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X When parking, secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 156).
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop. TC Shift Canceled TC Shift Canceled
Please Reactivate Please Reactivate The transfer case has not performed the gear change process.
X
Repeat the gearshift process.
X Make sure all conditions for changing gears are met
(Y page 194). TC TC
Shift
Shift Condition
Condition
Not Fulfilled
Not Fulfilled
Drive at Max. Drive at Max.
25 mph 25 mph You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC TC
Shift
Shift Condition
Condition
Not Fulfilled
Not Fulfilled
Shift to NEUTRAL Shift to NEUTRAL You have not met one or more shift conditions.
X
Shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.
X Repeat the gearshift process. TC TC
shift
shift condition
condition
not fulfilled
not fulfilled
Drive at Max. Drive at Max.
40 mph 40 mph You have exceeded the maximum speed for the gearshift process.
X
Drive more slowly.
X Repeat the gearshift process. LOW RANGE LOW RANGE
On On The transfer case is in the
LOW RANGEoff-road position. HIGH RANGE
HIGH RANGE
On On The transfer case is in the
HIGH RANGEon-road position. Display
messages
233On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions DISTRONIC PLUS
DISTRONIC PLUS
Currently Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual DISTRONIC is deactivated and temporarily inoperative. Possible
causes are:
R
the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator trim is dirty
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the sensors in the bumpers are dirty.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
R the system is outside the operating temperature range.
R the transfer case is in the LOW RANGEtransmission position.
R the vehicle is on an uphill or downhill gradient of greater than
22%-25%.
R the on-board voltage is too low.
A warning tone also sounds.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator trim and the
bumper ( Ypage 291).
X Restart the engine.
If the system detects that the sensors are fully operational, the
display message disappears.
DISTRONIC is operational again. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
Inoperative
Inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS is defective.
BAS (Brake Assist) may also have failed.
A warning tone also sounds.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
Passive Passive You have depressed the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is no
longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS DISTRONIC PLUS
--- mph --- mph An activation condition for DISTRONIC PLUS is not fulfilled.
X
Check the activation conditions for DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 176). DISTRONIC DISTRONIC
PLUS
PLUSand
and
SPEEDTRONIC
SPEEDTRONIC
Inoperative
Inoperative DISTRONIC PLUS and SPEEDTRONIC are faulty. A warning tone
also sounds.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 236
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 0077
Check Check
Tire
TirePressure
Pressure The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
G WARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a risk of the
following hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 156).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 298).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 319).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. 0077
Correct Tire Correct Tire
Pressure Pressure The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
X
Check the tire pressures at the next opportunity (Y page 319).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050 0050Solutions Shift to 'P' or
Shift to 'P' or
'N' 'N'
to
toStart
Start Engine
Engine You have attempted to start the engine with the transmission in
position
Ror D.
X Shift the transmission to position Por N. Auxiliary Battery Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction Malfunction The auxiliary battery for the automatic transmission is no longer
being charged.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop at the next opportunity.
X Until then, set the automatic transmission to position Pbefore
you switch off the engine.
X Before leaving the vehicle, apply the parking brake. 240
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 0025
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a
malfunction. BAS (Brake Assist), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability
Program), the HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake
lights and ESP ®
trailer stabilization, for example, are therefore also
deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic
transmission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
245On-board computer and displays Z