
This speed can:
R be too high for a filter lane or a slip road
R be so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the left
R be so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
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
A To activate or reduce speed
B To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
C To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
You can operate DISTRONIC PLUS and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
LIM indicator lamp =on the cruise control lever
indicates which function you have selected:
R LIM indicator lamp = =off: DISTRONIC PLUS
is selected
R LIM indicator lamp =
= on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected.
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp =is off.
If it is off, DISTRONIC PLUS is already selec-
ted.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow B.
LIM indicator lamp =in the cruise control
lever goes out. DISTRONIC PLUS is selected. Activating DISTRONIC PLUS Activation conditions
To activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine must be running. It may take up to
two minutes of driving before DISTRONIC
PLUS is ready for use.
R the electric parking brake must be released.
R ESP ®
must be switched on, but not interven-
ing.
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 the rear doors
must be closed.
R DSR must be deactivated.
R the vehicle must not be skidding.
R the DISTRONIC PLUS function must be selec-
ted (Y page 184).
Activating
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, up :or down A.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS inactive DISTRONIC PLUS inactive mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. The
set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in
front will then not be maintained. The position of the accelerator pedal will determine the
speed.
You can also activate DISTRONIC PLUS when
stationary. The lowest speed that can be set is
30 km/h. X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?, up :or down A.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up a stored speed and this is dif-
ferent from the current speed, the vehicle 184
Driving systemsDriving and parking

R
turn off at a motorway exit
R approach a tollgate
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the detection
range, DISTRONIC PLUS temporarily maintains
the current driving speed and does not acceler-
ate. This is based on the current map data in the navigation system.
Afterwards, the vehicle accelerates back to the
set speed you specified.
The system takes into account the fact that
overtaking on the right is not permitted on
motorways or high-speed major roads at speeds
above 80 km/h. The driving speed is adjusted to the speed of the queue of vehicles in the adja-
cent lane to the left.
i Prevention of overtaking on the right applies
to countries where traffic drives on the right.
In countries where traffic drives on the left,
overtaking on the left is prevented accord-
ingly.
Stopping G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake. After a short period, the vehicle is secured by
the electric parking brake, thus relieving the
service brake.
Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever.
When the vehicle is stationary and DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated, position P is automatically
selected if:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
R a system fault occurs
R the power supply is insufficient
On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted into position P.
Setting a speed Bear in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to
the set speed.
X Press the cruise control lever up :for a
higher speed or down Afor a lower speed
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until the
desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored. DISTRONIC PLUS is
activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed to
the new speed stored.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-
ments:
briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down Ato the pressure point.
The last stored speed increases or decreases in 1 km/h increments.
X To adjust the set speed in 10 km/
hincre-
ments: briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down Abeyond the pressure point.
The last stored speed increases or decreases
in 10 km/h increments.
i If you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC
PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last 186
Driving systemsDriving and parking

speed stored after you have finished overtak-
ing.
Setting the specified minimum distance You can set the specified minimum distance for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS maintains to the vehicle in
front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can see
this distance in the multifunction display
(Y page 188).
X To increase: turn control;in direction =.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front.
X To decrease: turn control;in direction :.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front.
i Make sure that you maintain a sufficient and
safe distance from the vehicle in front. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if neces-
sary.
Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.
or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM indi-
cator lamp ;in the cruise control lever is on.
If you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
DISTRONIC PLUS off DISTRONIC PLUS off message appears in the
multifunction display for approximately five sec-
onds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you acceler- ate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after
you have finished overtaking.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactivated
if: R you apply the electric parking brake or if the
vehicle is automatically secured with the elec-
tric parking brake
R you are driving slower than 25 km/h and
there is no vehicle in front, or if the vehicle in
front is no longer detected
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition
R you pull the cruise control lever towards you
in order to pull away and the front-passenger
door or one of the rear doors is open
R you activate DSR
R the vehicle has skidded
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. The DISTRONIC DISTRONICPLUS
PLUSoff
offmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display for
approximately five seconds. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

The system is switched to passive and no longer
assists you by performing steering interventions
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 pro-
vide 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 183).
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 symbol
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 Activate the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot function using the
on-board computer (Y page 244).
The DTR+: steering assistant On
DTR+: steering assistant On mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are active. Information in the multifunction display If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activa-
ted but not ready for a steering intervention,
steering wheel symbol :appears in grey. If the
system provides you with support by means of
steering interventions, symbol :is shown in
green.
Deactivating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot
X Deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer-
ing Assist and Stop&Go Pilot function using
the on-board computer (Y page 244).
The DTR+: steering assistant Off DTR+: steering assistant Off mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are deac-
tivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated or not
available, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are deactivated automatically. 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 manoeuvring 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 cancelled and the HOLD
function is deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-faces. Driving systems
191Driving and parking Z

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply
R the HOLD function is deactivated by the
accelerator pedal being depressed, e.g. by
a vehicle occupant
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
from rolling away.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat- ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (Y page 192).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
R the driver's door is closed or if your seat belt
is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions are
met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until :appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first time
does not activate the HOLD function, wait
briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
R you depress the accelerator and the trans-
mission is in position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a cer-
tain amount of pressure until :disappears
from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric park-
ing brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a short period, the vehicle is secured
by the electric parking brake, thus relieving
the service brake.
When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to position Pif:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle is stationary and:
R a system fault occurs
R the power supply is insufficient 192
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction, the transmission may also be
automatically shifted into position P.4MATIC
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP ®
and 4ETS, it
improves the traction of your vehicle whenever
a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of an accident nor over-
ride 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
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 implied warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
! A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a twin-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.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow
chains if necessary. DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
General notes DSR is an aid to assist you when driving down-
hill. It keeps the speed of travel at the speed
selected on the on-board computer. The steeper
the downhill gradient, the greater the DSR brak-
ing effect on the vehicle. When driving on flat
stretches of road or on an uphill gradient, the
DSR braking effect is minimal or non-existent.
DSR controls the vehicle’s speed when it is acti- vated and the transmission is in position D,Ror
N. By accelerating or braking, you can always drive at a higher or a lower speed than that set
on the on-board computer.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the speed driven and the set speed deviate and you activate DSR on a slippery road sur-
face, the wheels may lose traction. This
increases the risk of skidding and having an
accident.
Before switching DSR on, please take into
consideration the road surface and the differ-
ence between driving speed and the set
speed.
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 ofroad, weather and traffic conditions. DSR is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brak-
ing in good time and for staying in 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, depend-
ing on road surface and tyre conditions. Select a set speed suitable for the prevailing conditions
and when necessary, apply the brakes manually.
Activating DSR X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
The à DSR symbol appears in the multi-
function display with the on onmessage.
You can only activate DSR when driving at
speeds below 40 km/h. Driving systems
193Driving and parking Z

If the current vehicle speed is too high, the
Ã
DSR symbol appears in the multifunction display
with the Max. speed 40 km/h
Max. speed 40 km/h message.
You cannot activate DSR if the SportorSport
Plus drive program is activated. The ÃDSR
symbol and the Not
Not in
indrive
drive program
program SPORT
SPORT
message then appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If you have activated DSR and then change drive programs, DSR is deactivated.
Deactivating DSR X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
The à DSR symbol appears in the multi-
function display with the off offmessage.
DSR switches off automatically if you drive
faster than 45 km/h. The ÃDSR symbol
appears in the multifunction display with the
off
off message. The status indicator in the multi-
function display goes out. You also hear a warn-
ing tone.
Changing the set speed X
To increase or reduce the set speed in
1 km/h increments:
briefly press the cruise control lever up
:for a higher set speed or
down ;for a lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the ÃDSR symbol.
When DSR is activated, you can change the set
speed to a value between 2 km/h and 18 km/h.
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 km/h increments. This is regardless of
whether you press the cruise control lever to
or beyond the pressure point. AIRMATIC package
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with var-
iable damping for improved driving comfort.
Level control ensures the best possible suspen- sion and constant ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of:
R level settings
R level control and
R ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping System)
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): your vehicle may also be equipped with
the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (Y page 196).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: your vehicle is equip-
ped with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM.
(Y page 196).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 227).
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller (Y page 153) or the level but-
ton (Y page 196). The setting always corre-
sponds to the last selected function.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury. 194
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Selecting Sport Plus mode
The very firm setting of the suspension setting in
the Sport Plus drive program ensures the best
possible contact with the road. Select this mode
when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on
winding country roads or, ideally, when driving
on closed race circuits.
DSR is not available in the Sport Plusdrive pro-
gram. Further information on DSR (Y page 193).
X Select the Sport Plus drive program using
DYNAMIC SELECT controller :.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): the vehicle is lowered by 25 mm com-
pared to the normal level.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the vehicle is low-
ered by 10 mm compared to the normal level.
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM uses active stabil-
isers to optimise both driving comfort and vehi- cle dynamics. Depending on the drive program
selected (Y page 195), the ACTIVE CURVE SYS-
TEM also changes the setting.
If you have selected the Comfortdrive program:
R rolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations
R the roll angle when cornering is reduced
R the driving is dynamic
If you have selected the Sportdrive program:
R the roll angle is reduced significantly
R the driving is even more dynamic
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if you have selected
the Sport Plus drive program:
R the roll angle is again reduced significantly
R the driving is designed for maximum dyna-
mism Vehicle level Important safety notes
G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury.
When lowering the vehicle, make sure no one
is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches. G
WARNING
When driving at a raised vehicle level, the driv- ing characteristics may be significantly affec-ted by the vehicle's raised centre of gravity.
The vehicle may be more liable to tip when
cornering, for example. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as possi-
ble and adjust your driving style accordingly. G
WARNING
When driving with a lowered or raised chassis frame, the driving and braking characteristics
may be seriously affected. A raised chassis
frame may also exceed the permissible vehi-
cle height. There is a risk of an accident.
Set the driving level before pulling away. G
WARNING
Due to the high centre of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and overturn in the event of abrupt steering manoeuvres and/or when the
vehicle's speed is not adapted to the road
conditions. There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to
the vehicle's driving characteristics and to the prevailing road and weather conditions.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time. Make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance. You will otherwise damage the vehicle.
R SUVs overturn considerably more often than
other vehicle types. 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking