2014 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class page 6

R
ESP ®
is switched off.
R the transmission is not in position D.
R on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the
electrical connectio nto the trailer has been
correctly established.
R the off-road program is activated (vehicles
without the ON&OFFROAD package).
R off-road program 1 or 2 is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
R the LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed.
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic situations or road users. An
inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you:
R steer slightly in the opposite direction
R switch on the turn signal
R clearly brake or accelerate
Al ane-correcting brake applicatio nis
interrupted automatically if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R lane markings can no longer be recognized.
Switching on Active Lane Keeping Assist
X Switch on Active Lane Keeping Assist using
the on-board computer; to do so, select
Standard or
Adaptive (Y
page 273).
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,
the lines in the assistance graphics display
(Y page 272) are shown in green. Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use.
If Standard is selected, no warning
vibration occurs if:
R you switch on the tur nsignals .Inthis
event, the warnings are suppressed for a
certain period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, such
as ABS, BAS or ESP ®
. When
Adaptive is selected, no warning
vibration occurs if:
R you switch on the turn signals. In this
event, the warnings are suppressed for a
certain period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
R you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
R you brake hard.
R you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid
an obstacle or change lanes quickly.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
Towing atrailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. On-road programs (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package)
General notes The on-road programs assist you during on-
road driving and the off-road programs when
driving off-road (Y
page 248).
The following progra mmessages remain in
the multifunction display until the
corresponding vehicle level has been set. Up
to off-road level 2, you can hide the program
messages using the 0007or000B button on
the multifunction steering wheel. Driving systems
243Driving and parking Z

X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Trailer indicator 0023appears in the
multifunction display.
R Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption, changing
gear at optimum points.
R While pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged. Off-road driving systems
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.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
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.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwo-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop .You could otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficien tgrip.
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.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
DSR (Downhill Spee dRegulation) Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle .When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the set speed when it is active
and the automatic transmission is in the D,
R or Nposition. By accelerating or braking,
you can always drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board
computer.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. DSR 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.
You are always responsible for keeping
control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be
managed. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
To increase or decrease in 1 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments): briefly press the cruise
control lever up 0002for a highe rset speed
or down 0003for a lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the 0001DSR symbol. It is also
displayed in status indicator 0023.
When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 1mph and
11 mph (Canada: between 2 km/h and
18 km/h).
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments). This is regardless of whether
you press the cruise control lever to or
beyond the pressure point.
Off-road programs (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) General notes
The off-road programs assist you in driving
off-road. The engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP
®
and
4ET Sprograms especially adapted to off-road
driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e.
the accelerator pedal must be depressed
further to accelerate.
Do not use the off-road programs on roads
that are snow-covered or icy or if you have
mounted snow chains on yourv ehicle.
For information on driving off-road, see
(Y page 187).
The following program messages are shown
in the multifunction display until the
applicable vehicle level is set. Up to off-road
level 2, you can hide the program messages
using the 0007or the 000Bbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel. Off-road program 1
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.
Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the highway level.
If you drive at a speed above 70 mph
(110 km/h), off-road program 1 switches to
AUTO program.
Select off-road program 1 for gentle off-road
terrain, e.g. for gravel or sand surfaces or
tracks. The engine's torque is restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can spin.
The spinning wheels produce acutting effect
for better traction.
You can only activate off-road program 1
when driving at speeds below 60 mph
(100 km/h). The Drive Program OFFROAD 1 Max Speed 60 mph (100 km/h ) message
appears in the multifunction display. 248
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

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

plates and those for the towing vehicle under
"Technical data" (Y
page 456).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be differen tincomparison
with when driving without atrailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and
gradient-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning radius
This could impair the handling
characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather
conditions. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible speed for yourv ehicle/trailer
combination.
General notes R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed
maximum speed for vehicle/trailer
combinations in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not
suitable for installing detachable trailer
couplings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
R If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
This will reduce the risk of damage to the
ball coupling.
i When towing a trailer, set the tire
pressure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a maximum load; see the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap
(Y
page 419).
Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC ( Ypage 213) and Blind Spot
Assist (Y page 233) are only available with
limitations, or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter
according to the load placed on the vehicle.
If necessary, use a trailer with a height-
adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 455).
Driving tips i
Observe the information on ESP ®
trailer
stabilization (Y page 73) and on pulling
away with a trailer (Y page 160).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the
maximum permissible speed is. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed in the
relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benzv ehicles, the
maximum permissible rear axle load is
increased when towing a trailer. See
"Technical data" to find out whether this
applies to your vehicle (Y page 456). If you
utilize any of the added maximum rear axle
load when towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer
combination may not exceed a maximum
speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for reasons
concerning the operating permit .This also
applies in countries in which the permissible
maximum speed for vehicle/trailer
combinations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without atrailer.
Use the left-hand paddle shifter to shift into
a lower gearing ood time on long and steep
downhill gradients. 254
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications Maximump
ermissible gross vehicle
weight rating
The gross trailer weight is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight
of the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Ypage 455).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Ypage 455).
Loading atrailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that
neithe rthe permissible gross weight of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible
values on the type plates of your vehicle
and the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
pay attention to the respective lowest
values.
R The trailer drawbarl oad on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends atrailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's
permissible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories,
passengers, and cargo reduces the
permissible trailer load and drawbar load
for yourv ehicle. Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To chec kthat the weights of the towing
vehicle and the trailer comply with the
maximum permissible values, have the
vehicle/trailer combination (including the
driver, passengers, and cargo with a fully
laden trailer) weighed on a calibrated
weighbridge.
R Check the gross axle weight rating of the
front and rear axles, the gross weight of the
trailer and trailer drawbarl oad. Removing the ball coupling
X Remove the spring cotter.
X Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess.
X Remove the ball coupling from the ball
coupling recess.
X Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch can be found at (Y page 374). Storing the ball coupling
G
WARNING
Do not carry the ball coupling in the vehicle
interior if it is not secured.
Otherwise, you and others could be injured by
the ball coupling being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a
maximum power consumption of 240 Wto
the permanent powe rsupply.
You must no tcharge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with apermanen tpower supply. Towing
atrailer
259Driving an d parking Z