GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parkingbrake.
Information in the Digital Operator'sManual
A description of how to switch off the engine
can be found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Parking brake
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is anincreased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
iWhen you apply parking brake ;to brake
the vehicle, the brake lamps do not light up.
X To apply: pull parking brake ;up firmly.
Parking brake ;is applied.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the F(USA only) or
J (Canada only) indicator lamp is lit in
the instrument cluster.
Parking111
Driving and parking
Z
XTo release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Pull parking brake ;up firmly.
X Press release button :on parking
brake ;and move parking brake ;down
to the stop.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the F(USA only)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp goes
out in the instrument cluster.
iIf you pull away with parking brake ;
applied, a warning tone sounds.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge.
X Connect a trickle charger.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics: R
General driving tips
R Engine oil R
Braking
- Important safety notes
- Downhill gradients
- Heavy and light loads
- Wet roads
- Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
- New brake pads/linings
- Servicing the brakes
- AMG high-performance and ceramic
brakes
R Driving on wet roads
R Winter driving
- General notes
- Driving with summer tires
- Slippery road surfaces
R Off-road driving
- General notes
- Driving on sand
- Tire ruts and gravel roads
- Driving over obstacles
R Traveling uphill
- Approach/departure angle
- Maximum gradient-climbing capability
- Hilltops
- Driving downhill
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The brake pedal moves when cruise control
brakes the vehicle. A foot in the area under
the brake pedal could become trapped. The
movement of the pedal, and therefore the
vehicle's ability to brake, may be restricted by objects in the area under the brake. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
112Driving systems
Driving an d parking
iCanada 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 inter- ference, 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.
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics: R Setting a speed
R Setting the specified minimum distance
R DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the instru-
ment cluster
Cruise control lever
:To activate or increase speed
;To set the specified minimum distance
=LIM indicator lamp
?To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
ATo activate or reduce speed
BTo switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
CTo deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
With the cruise control lever, you can operate
DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEED-
TRONIC. X To switch between variable SPEED-
TRONIC and DISTRONIC PLUS: press the
cruise control lever in the direction of arrow B .
LIM indicator lamp =on the cruise control
lever indicates which function you have selec-
ted:
R LIM indicator lamp =
off:DISTRONIC
PLUS is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp =
on:variable
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the fol- lowing 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 the differential lock must be disengaged.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
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 and rear doors
must be closed.
R the vehicle must not skid.
R the DISTRONIC PLUS function must be
selected ( Ypage 119).
R the transfer case must be in the HIGH
RANGE transmission position.
Driving systems119
Driving and pa rking
Z
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the
corresponding turn signal, a double warning
tone sounds. Red warning lamp :flashes. If
the turn signal remains on, vehicles detected
are indicated by the flashing of red warninglamp :. There are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
X Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is activa-
ted in the on-board computer(Y page 147).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately 1.5 seconds
and then turn yellow.
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.
iDo not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra- dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if: R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or it has been
switched off by the ECO start/stop func-
tion (AMG vehicles).
R the engine is running.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the transmission is in position D,R or N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function while in the car
wash or while towing.
X Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal furtheruntil ë appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
iIf depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
126Driving systems
Driving and parking
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
:Indicator lamp
;To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp :lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock.
Towing a trailer
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
130Driving syste ms
Driving and parking
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
:Rear view camera
XTo activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the rear view camera func-
tion is selected in COMAND (see the sepa-
rate operating instructions for COMAND).
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is deac-
tivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forward ten meters
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position after 15 seconds
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5 mph
(10 km/h)
Off-road driving systems
Transfer case
General notes
The vehicle has permanent all-wheel drive.
Power is always transmitted to both axles.
For more information on driving off-road, see the Digital Operator's Manual.
Shift ranges
GWARNING
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 switch off the engine while changing
gear and do not shift the automatic transmis-
sion to another gear.
HIGH
RANGEPosition for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW
RANGELow-range position for driv-
ing off-road.
Also for use on steep uphill
or downhill gradients, espe-
cially when towing a trailer.
The vehicle travels around
half the speed of on-road
driving range HIGH RANGE .
The tractive power is corre-
spondingly higher.
Shifting the transfer case
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, power transmission to the driven wheels
132Off-road driving systems
Driving and pa rking
positionNappears in the multifunction dis-
play.
R
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 chang-
ing gears.
R
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 pos-
sible at a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral
GWARNING
When the transfer case is in the neutral posi-
tion, 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 igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position N
( Y page 106).
X Press and hold LOW RANGE button ;for
approximately ten seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
TC neutral onmessage appears in the
multifunction display for five seconds.
If the gear change is not completed, the fol-
lowing messages could appear in the display( Y page 148).
iIf the transfer case is in neutral, the
SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you
open the driver's door, the
TCInNeutral
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play. If you then release the parking brake, a warning tone will sound.
Differential locks
General notes
GWARNING
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) onlyif:
R the axle not driven on is jacked up or
R the corresponding propeller shaft is dis-
connected and the transfer case differ-
ential lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be dam-aged.
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 gear system
and differential lock
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 differen-
tial, a gear system in the drive train, allows for
differing rotational speeds and facilitates cor- nering.
134Off-road driving systems
Driving and parking
The disadvantage of a differential is that the
wheels that have the least grip, get the most
drive. An example: a wheel of a driven axle is
on a snow-covered surface and therefore
does not have any traction. The differential
sends most of the drive force to this wheel
because the force takes the route of the low-
est resistance. The opposite wheel on this
axle, however, which stands on firm ground
and could therefore allow propulsion,
receives no driving power. 4ETS compen-
sates 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.
More challenging off-road conditions require
additional measures such as locking one or
more differential. Your vehicle is equipped
with three differential locks:
R a central differential lock for the transfercase
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 corresponding switch on the center console.
If the differential in the transfer case is
locked, the front and rear wheels rotate at the same speed. If the differential for the rear axle
is locked, both rear wheels rotate at the same
speed, regardless of their respective torque.
Note, engaging the differential lock greatly
impairs the vehicle's steerability.
Note, it is imperative to use the differential
function when driving on firm road surfaces.
Under no circumstances should the differen-
tial be locked when driving on firm road sur-
faces. Otherwise, the vehicle may not be
steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. Therefore, only engage the differen-
tial lock when driving off-road. You should
only engage the differential lock if activating 4ETS and ESP
®
driving systems and LOW
RANGE off-road gear prove to be insufficient.
Engaging the differential locks
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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.
!Only engage the differential locks when:
R you are driving at walking pace.
R the driven wheels are not spinning.
R you are not driving on a firm road surface.
General notes
The switches are located on the center con- sole.
:Function indicator lamps (red)
;Differential lock for the front axle
Off-road driving systems135
Driving and parking
Z