
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effective-
ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a
higher speed while paying attention to the
traffic conditions. This improves the grip of
the brakes.
Wet road surfaces If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after a car wash orafter driving through deep water.
You will have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance to the vehi-
cle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of
salt may form on the brake discs and pads.
This can increase the braking distance con-
siderably.
R In order to prevent a layer of salt forming,
apply the brakes occasionally while paying
attention to the traffic conditions.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal at the
end of the journey and when starting the
next journey.
R Maintain a much greater distance to the
vehicle in front.
New brake discs and brake pads/
linings Brake pads/linings and discs that are either
new or have been replaced only achieve opti-
mum braking effect after several hundred kil-
ometres of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying greater
force to the brake pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only fitting the following brake discs
and brake pads/linings:
R brake discs that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
R brake pads/linings that have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz or that are of
an equivalent standard of quality
Other brake discs or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs and brake
pads/linings on an axle at the same time.
Always fit new brake pads/linings when
replacing brake discs.
The vehicle is equipped with lightweight
brake discs to which the wheel assembly with
rim and threaded connection is matched.
The use of brake discs other than those
approved by Mercedes-Benz may alter track
width and is subject to approval, if applicable.
Shock-type loads when handling the brake
discs, such as when changing wheels, can
lead to a reduction in comfort when driving
with lightweight brake discs. Avoid shock-
type loads on the lightweight brake discs,
particularly on the brake plate. Driving on wet roads
Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
R you are driving at low speeds
R the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, drive in the following manner in the event of heavy rain or in conditions in
which aquaplaning can occur:
R lower your speed
R avoid tyre ruts Driving tips
225Driving and parking Z

steer the vehicle yourself to ensure that it
does not leave the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient illumination of the road, or due to
snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflection from other vehicles
(e.g. if the road surface is wet)
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up, dam-
aged or covered, for instance by a sticker,
in the vicinity of the camera
R no or several, unclear lane markings are
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction
area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions
on the road
The system is switched to passive and no lon-
ger assists you by performing steering inter-
ventions if:
R you actively change lane
R you switch on the turn signal
R you take your hands off the steering wheel
or do not steer for a prolonged period of
time
i After you have finished changing lanes,
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are auto-
matically active again. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot cannot
provide assistance:
R on very sharp corners
R when towing a trailer
R a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 236).
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 not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you
with a visual warning. A steering wheel sym-
bol appears in the multifunction display. If you have still not started to steer and have not
taken hold of the steering wheel after five
seconds at the latest, a warning tone also
sounds to remind you to take control of the
vehicle. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
switch to passive mode. DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The DTR+: DTR+:
steering assist. on
steering assist. on message appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activated. 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking

If indicator lamp
;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 25 mm compared to the normal
level.
The Vehicle rising Vehicle rising message appears in
the multifunction display.
i The message disappears after ten sec-
onds, irrespective of the level reached. If
necessary, the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R drive faster than 120 km/h
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 80 km/h
The "Raised level" remains saved when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal vehicle level X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to the height of the currently
selected drive program (Y page 195).
Suspension settings General notes
The Adaptive Damping System automatically
controls the calibration of the dampers.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sport or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock.
Sport mode
In the "Sport" and "Sport Plus" drive pro-
grams, the firmer suspension setting ensures even better contact with the road. Select this mode when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads.
X Select the Sor S+ drive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 195).
The vehicle is lowered by 15 mm compared
to the normal level.
Comfort mode
In the "Eco" and "Comfort" drive programs,
the driving characteristics of your vehicle are
more comfortable. Therefore, select this
mode if you prefer a more comfortable driving
style. Select Comfort mode also when driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of motorway.
X Select the Eor Cdrive program with the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 195).
The vehicle is raised to the normal level.
When driving at speeds above 125 km/h, the
vehicle is automatically lowered by 15 mm in the Eand Cdrive programs. When driving at
speeds below 80 km/h, the vehicle is raised
again.
Lowering the rear of the vehicle To lower using the button in the left-hand-
side luggage compartment trim:
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Pull switch :briefly.
Indicator lamp ;flashes until the vehicle
has been lowered.
The vehicle is lowered by 40 mm. Driving systems
253Driving and parking Z

Recuperative Brake System
If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is
initiated. The electric motor is operated as a
alternator when in overrun mode and when
you brake. Hybrid technology converts the
kinetic energy of the vehicle into electricity
and stores it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System (Y page 46).Important safety notes
If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function and you open the driver's door:
R a message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and
R a warning tone sounds
For further information, see (Y page 357).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the combustion engine is switched off
R the READY-indicator in the instrument clus-
ter is lit
If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the
vehicle could pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of
the ECO start/stop function (Y page 298).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate sig-
nificantly less noise than vehicles with inter-
nal combustion engines. As a result, your
vehicle may not be heard by other road users
in certain situations. This is the case, for
example, when you are parking and your vehi-
cle is not seen by other road users.
This requires you to adopt a particularly antic-
ipatory driving style, as it is necessary to allow for the possibility that other road users may
behave unpredictably. PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
287Driving and parking Z

R
the climate control
- the climate control settings
- the rear window heating operation period
- the performance of the seat heating
R the availability of the Eco Assistant
If the ignition is switched off for less than four hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. If
the ignition is switched off for more than four hours, drive program Cis activated when the
engine is next started. X
Push DYNAMIC SELECT switch :up or
down until the desired drive program is
selected.
The status icon of the selected drive pro-
gram is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program set-
tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online display.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated at the factory due to the quality of the available fuel. In this case,
the ECO start/stop function is not available in any drive program, regardless of the dis-
play in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online
display.
Available drive programs: I
Individual Individual settings
S+
Sport Plus R
Extremely sporty driving
style with boost mode
R Electric-only drive is not
possible S
Sport R
Sporty driving style with
boost mode
R Electric-only drive is not
possible C
Comfort R
Comfortable, economi-
cal driving style
R Electric-only drive is
possible E
Economy R
Particularly economical
driving style
R Electric operation mode
is used as often as pos-
sible
R Double pulses in the
haptic accelerator
pedal, as an indication
to release the accelera-
tor pedal (Y page 297)
R After the accelerator
pedal has been
released, the coasting
characteristics of the
vehicle are adapted to
the traffic conditions Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 200).
Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles,
you can temporarily change gear yourself.
Further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (Y page 296).
Manual gearshifting
Using the steering wheel gearshift paddles,
you can temporarily change gear yourself.
The transmission must be in position D. Dur-
ing manual gearshifting, the combustion
engine is always switched on.
Activating when driving with the electric
motor:
X Pull the left or right steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 201).
The combustion engine is switched on.
Manual gearshifting is activated tempora- 296
PLUG
‑IN HYBRI D operationDriving an d parking

rily. The selected gear and
Mappear in the
multifunction display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine:
X Pull the left or right steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 201).
Manual gearshifting is activated tempora-
rily. The selected gear and Mappear in the
multifunction display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when manually changing gear.
Further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (Y page 201).
Haptic accelerator pedal General notes
The haptic accelerator pedal helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
There are two different functions available for
this purpose:
R an additional point of resistance in E-MODE
operating mode (Y page 290)
R a double pulse in drive program E
(Y page 295)
Additional point of resistance in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal
The maximum available electric performance
is indicated by a tangible point of resistance
in the haptic accelerator pedal.
The additional point of resistance is available in E-MODE operating mode (Y page 290).
If you depress the haptic accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point, the combustion
engine is switched on.
Double pulses in the haptic accelerator
pedal
A noticeable double pulse in the haptic accel-
erator pedal is a recommendation that you
should release the accelerator pedal. By this
means, in HYBRID,E-MODE orE-SAVE oper-
ating mode the combustion engine can be switched off and disconnected from the
power train (overrun mode).
The double pulse is available in drive program
E (Y page 295).
After the accelerator pedal has been
released, the coasting characteristics of the
vehicle are adapted to the traffic conditions
To avoid getting too close to the vehicle in
front, you must apply the brakes manually
when necessary.
Driving tips General driving tips
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent
and sudden acceleration as well as abrupt
braking.
During partial electric drive, pulling away and acceleration, the electric motor supports the internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position Dand
braking, the electric motor operates as an
alternator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 298).
Additional driving tips (Y page 222).
Stationary vehicle
If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion
engine is, for the most part, switched off.
Automatic climate control continues to func-
tion. The electro-mechanically assisted steer-
ing gear allows use of the power steering
without loss of comfort.
Acceleration
Depending on the operating mode, pulling
away and driving under low load conditions
are performed:
R entirely by electric propulsion
R in combination with the internal combus-
tion engine
When accelerating at an increased or full
load, boost mode is utilised. The electric
motor supports the internal combustion PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
297Driving and parking Z

engine by providing additional torque when
the accelerator is depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes
when the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
R When coasting and decelerating, energy
recuperation is already taking place
(Y page 287). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R When braking gently, the electric motor
increases the deceleration of the vehicle.
Energy recuperation is increased
(Y page 287). The electric motor functions
as an alternator and stores the recuperated energy in the high-voltage battery.
R During heavy braking, the service brake is
also used to slow down the vehicle. Both
systems work together.
Driving in the city
Energy is recuperated during frequent decel-
eration and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric
motor alone up to a speed of approximately
140 km/h.
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
alone only when all conditions for the auto-
matic engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 298).
Driving on inter-urban roads
The following phases are possible when driv-
ing on inter-urban roads:
R rapid acceleration (boost mode)
R constant energy consumption
R energy recuperation
R electric operation mode
Depending on the characteristics of the
route, there may be a lot of recuperated
energy available. This reduces consumption
and emissions. Driving on the motorway
When driving on a motorway, the decrease in
wasted power has a particularly positive
effect on fuel consumption and emissions.
If the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator pedal in drive program Eand a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded, the combustion
engine is automatically switched off.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 298).
ECO start/stop function General notes
The ECO start/stop function switches the
internal combustion engine off automatically
when the vehicle stops moving and at high
speeds (Y page 299).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the
automatic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in drive programs Cand E. Electric-only oper-
ation is only possible in drive programs Cand
E. Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 295).
Automatic engine switch-off
The internal combustion engine is switched
off automatically if:
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator in drive program Eand a speed of
160 km/h is not exceeded (Y page 299)
R the internal combustion engine has
reached its operating temperature
R the driver's seat belt is fastened and the
driver's door is closed
R the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, main- tain the current speed for a limited distance
R the bonnet is closed and engaged properly
R the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently
R no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system 298
PLUG‑IN HYBRID operationDriving and parking

Right control panel
~ R
Rejects or ends a call
R Exits the telephone book/redial
memory 6 R
Makes or accepts a call
R Switches to the redial memory W
X R
Adjusts the volume 8 R
Mute ó R
Vehicles with Audio 20:
Switches on voice-operated con-
trol for navigation (see manufac-
turer's operating instructions)
R Vehicles with COMAND Online:
Switches on LINGUATRONIC
(see the separate operating
instructions) Multifunction display
:
Drive program (Y page 198)
; Transmission position (Y page 199)
= All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles: additional speedometer
(Y page 333)
? Display A
Time
B PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: outside tem-
perature or additional speedometer
(Ypage 333)
Display panel =shows the selected menu or
submenu and display messages.
X To open the menu list: press theò
button on the steering wheel.
Display panel =appears in the menu list.
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play:
R ZGearshift recommendation, when shifting
manually (Y page 201)
R j Active Parking Assist (Y page 257)
R ¯ Cruise control (Y page 230)
R È SPEEDTRONIC (Y page 233)
R DSR DSR Downhill Speed Regulation
(Y page 248)
R READY READY PLUG-IN HYBRID operation activa-
ted (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
(Y page 295)
R HYBRID HYBRID operating mode, additional operat-
ing mode displays (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles) (Y page 289)
R è Electric range (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles) (Y page 289)
R _ Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
(Y page 143)
R è ECO start/stop function
(Y page 192)
R ë HOLD function (Y page 247)
R a DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot (Y page 245)
R 120 120 km/h!
km/h! (only for certain countries) max-
imum permissible speed exceeded Head-up display
General notes The head-up display projects information
from the navigation system and the driver
assistance system above the dashboard into
the driver's field of vision. Displays and operation
315On-board computer and displays Z