2014 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class Engine

Off-road program 2
X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Off-road indicator 0023appears in the
multifunction display.
R Off-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in
(+60 mm) above the highway level.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
Off-road program 2automatically switches to
off-road program 1 if you drive faster than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Select off-road program 2 for rough terrain,
e.g. for steep and/o rrough terrain or driving
on rocky terrain.
i Your vehicle has an automatically
activated differential lock for the transfer
case. It controls the balance between the
front and rear axles. The differential lock improves the vehicle’s
traction. 4ETS (Y
page 71) controls the
balance between both wheels on an axle.
You can only activate off-road program 2
when driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h).
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another position. Driving systems
249Driving and parking Z

General notes
0002
LOW RANGE off-road gear button
0003 LOW RANGE off-road gear indicator lamp HIGH RANGE
Positio
nfor all normal on-
road driving conditions LOW RANGE
Off-road position for
driving off-road and
fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only
approximately one third of
that in the HIGH RANGE
road position. Drive torque
is thus proportionately
higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
R
on slippery road
surfaces, e.g. in the case
of slush
R on snow or ice-covered
roads
R if you have mounted
snow chains to your
vehicle The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y
page 187). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section
(Y page 66).
From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position N
R you are driving at a speed below
40 km/h
X Press LOW RANGE button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003flashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lamp 0003lights up. LOW RANGE
indicator appears in the multifunction
display and in the status indicator.
While indicator lamp 0003is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button 0002again.
i You cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT on-road program is activated. The
LOW RANGE Not in Drive Program SPORT message then appears in the
multifunction display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
! Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position N
R you are driving at a speed below
70 km/h
X Press LOW RANGE button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003flashes.
When the gear change is complete,
indicator lamp 0003goes out. In the
multifunction display, the LOW RANGE Off message appears and status indicator
0023
goes out. 250
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Messages in the multifunction display
If a gearc
hange process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed
in the multifunction display: Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 40 km/h You have been driving faster than 40 km/h. Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console blinks.
X
Drive more slowly to carry out the gear change process. LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position
Dand you are driving at below
40 km/h.
X Shift the transmission to Nto complete the gear change
process. LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please
Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out.
X
Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out
the gear change process again. LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Parking Brake Aw
arning tone also sounds. The gear change proces shas no tbeen
completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position .There is no
connection between the engine and the drive wheels.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle's drive train.
X Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic
conditions when doing this.
X Depress the electric parking brake (Y page 180).
X Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW RANGE
Stop Apply Parking Brake message disappears.
ON&OFFROAD menu in the COMAND
display (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) You can display some driving systems, driving
programs and additional information in the
COMAND display.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that COMAND is activated, see
the separate COMAND operating
instructions.
X Press function button 0002.
The corresponding displays appearint he
COMAND display:
R level control
R steering angle
R vehicle's angle of inclination 252
Driving systemsDriving and parking

i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to
maintain the speed. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. If
you need additional braking, depress the
brake pedal repeatedly rather than
continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in frontt han when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine
and, consequently, the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decreases with
increasing altitude. Installing the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly it can become detached while the
vehicle is in motion and fall onto the road.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or
not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as
described in the ball coupling installation
instructions. Make sure that the ball coupling
is installed and secured correctly before every
journey. Cover cap
X
Pull protective cap 0002in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
X Place protective cap 0002in the ball coupling
recess. Towing
atrailer
255Driving an d parking Z

of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
X Vehicles with ADS: set ADS toAUTOor
COMF.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R Unless highway level has been set
manually, the vehicle is automatically
lowered to highway level. This is the case
if a speed of 5mph(8km/h) is reached.
R High-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connectio nto the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadia nprovinces
require by law:
R Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle. Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
R As eparate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R As afety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes. Towing
atrailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g .speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R In order to accumulate driving experience
and accustom yourself to the new handling
characteristics, practice the following at a
location where there is no traffic:
-Cornering
- Stopping
- Backing up
R Before driving, check:
-the trailer tow hitch
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly. Towing
atrailer
257Driving an d parking Z

R
Secure any objects on the traile rto prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
that the cargo is securely fastened and
make sure that the trailer lamps and (if
applicable) the trailer brakes are
functioning correctly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.
Al ower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination. Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an
additional distance beyond the vehicle you
are overtaking before returning to the
previous lane. Decoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overru nbrake
is engaged. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you
disconnect the trailer cable. This could result
in yourl imbs or those of other people that are
betwee nthe vehicle body and tires or
underneath the vehicle being trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnectt he trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the
rebounding of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. 258
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Displays and operation
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster: miles
0002
Speedometer with segments (Y page 264)
0003 Fuel gauge
0023 Tachometer (Y page 264)
0022 Coolant temperature ( Ypage 263)
0020 Multifunction display (Y page 265)
0021 Instrumen tcluster lighting (Y page 263) Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrumen tcluster, in the
displays and the controls in the vehicle
interior can be adjusted using the brightness
control knob.
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster
(Y page 33).
X Turn the brightness control knob clockwise
or counter-clockwise.
If the light switch is set to 0006,0016or
000D, the brightness is dependent upon
the brightness of the ambien tlight.
i The light sensor in the instrumen tcluster
automatically controls the brightness of
the multifunction display. In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated. Coolant temperature display
G
WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is
overheated or when there is a fire in the
engine compartmen tcould expose you to hot
gases or other service products. There is a
risk of injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
! Adisplay message is shown if the coolant
temperature is too high. Displays and operation
263On-board computer and displays Z

If the coolant temperature is over
248 ‡(120 †), do not continue driving. The
engine will otherwise be damaged.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side
(Y page 33).
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant
temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †). Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display (Y page 265).
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
R Cruise control activated (Y page 191):
The segments lightu p from the stored
speed to the maximum speed.
R DISTRONIC PLUS activated (Y page 194):
One or two segments in the set speed
range light up.
R DISTRONIC PLUS detects avehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in fron tand the stored speed light
up. Operating the on-board computer
Overview 0002
Multifunctio ndisplay
0003 Switches on the Voice Control System;
see the separate operating instructions
0023 Right control panel
0022 Left control panel
0020 Back button
X To activat ethe on-board computer: turn
the SmartKey to position 1in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel. 264
Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays