2015 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class manual transmission

Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 278
Setting the color (on-board com-
puter) ............................................ .278
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ................................................ 215
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 281
Anti-lock braking system see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 194
Ashtray ............................................... 348
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .275
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .275
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ....... .371
Hiding a service message .............. 371
Notes ............................................. 370
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 371
Service message ............................ 370
Special service requirements ......... 371
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 77
Function .......................................... .77
Switching off the alarm .................... 77
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 276
Display message ............................ 304
Function/note s............................. 233
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 272
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 300
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 372Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 163
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 162
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 120
Automatic transmission Accelerator pedal position ............. 171
Automatic drive program ............... 173
Changing gear ............................... 171
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 168
Display message ............................ 315
Drive program display .................... 168
Driving tips .................................... 171
Emergency running mode .............. 177
Engaging drive position .................. 170
Engaging neutral ............................ 169
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 169
Engaging reverse gear ................... 169
Engaging the park position ............ 168
Kickdown ....................................... 171
Manual drive progra m.................... 173
Manual drive program (AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 174
Manual drive program (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) .. 174
Overview ........................................ 168
Problem (malfunction) ................... 177
Program selector button ................ 172
Pulling away ................................... 160
Starting the engine ........................ 160
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 172
Trailer towing ................................. 171
Transmission position display ........ 168
Transmission positions .................. 170
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 177
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 460 B
Bag hook ............................................ 339
Ball coupling Installing ........................................ 258
Removing ....................................... 262
Storing ........................................... 262
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 68 Index
5

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (Y page 29). SmartKey
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
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 or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. G
WARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle. G
WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten-
tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from strong
magnetic fields. Otherwise, the remote
control function could be affected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the
vicinity of powerful electrical installations.
Do not keep the SmartKey: R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can affect the functionality of the
SmartKey.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the tem-
perature-controlled cup holder. Otherwise,
the KEYLESS-GO key will not be recognized. SmartKey functions
0043
0037 To lock the vehicle
0044 0054 To open/close the tailgate
0087 0036 To unlock the vehicle
X To unlock centrally: press button0087.80
SmartKeyOpening and closing

Program selector button
General notes Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
X Press program selector button 0043.
The letter Mappears in the multifunction
display. The manual drive program Mis
activated. AMG vehicles
X
Press program selector button 0043repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift program appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving character-
istics.
In AMG vehicles, drive program Eis called
drive program C.
i The permanent drive program Mis avail-
able on the following vehicles:
R Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package
R AMG vehicles Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 174).
As well as this permanent drive program M,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M(Y page 173).
i AMG vehicles:
the automatic transmis-
sion switches to automatic drive program C
each time the engine is started.
Drive program on vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package M
Manual Permanent manual gear-
shifting
Drive programs on AMG vehicles
C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Permanent manual gear-
shifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 173). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the manual drive program, you can change
gears manually using steering wheel paddle
shifters 0043and 0044.
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 174). 172
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Further information about temporary drive
program M(Y page 173).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters when the trans-
mission is in position D.Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programs E and S Drive program
E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad- dle shifters. The transmission must be in posi-
tion D. All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
you
can activate manual drive program Musing
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
AMG vehicles: you can activate manual drive
program Min automatic drive programs Cand
S.
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package:
if manual drive program Mis deactivated
using the program selector button, you can
activate manual drive program Musing the
steering wheel paddle shifters.
i As well as temporary drive program
M,
you can also activate permanent drive pro- gram M(Y page 172).
Further information about permanent drive program M(Y page 174).
Activating
X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 172).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and Mappear in
the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program Mfor a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic trans-
mission immediately shifts into the next gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic Automatic transmission
173Driving and parking Z

transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
X To shift down: pull on the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter (Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear 0044according
to gearshift recommendation 0043when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M , it will remain active for a certain amount of
time. Under certain conditions the minimum
amount of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun phase
or when driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission shifts into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected. You can also deactivate manual drive pro-
gram Myourself:
X Pull on the right-hand steering wheel pad-
dle shifter and hold it in place (Y page 172).
or X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
X AMG vehicles: use the program selector
button to change the drive program
(Y page 172).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the drive program that was last selected, C
or S.
or
X Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD packag e:use the selector
wheel to switch to the on-road program
(Y page 247) or the off-road program
(Y page 251). Manual drive program
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in position D.
i As well as this permanent drive program
M, you can also activate temporary drive
program M(Y page 173).
Switching on the manual drive program In manual drive program
M, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
if the transmission is in position D. You can
see the currently selected drive program and
which gear is engaged in the multifunction
display. 174
Automatic transmissionDriving and pa
rking

X
AMG vehicles: press the program selector
button (Y page 172) until Mappears in the
multifunction display.
X Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: press the program selector button
(Y page 172).
The letter Mappears in the multifunction
display.
Shifting up (all vehicles except AMG
vehicles) X
If corresponding gearshift recommenda-
tion 0043appears in the multifunction display
on the instrument cluster, pull on the right- hand steering wheel paddle shifter
(Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts to rec-
ommended gear 0044.
Shifting up (AMG vehicles) !
In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage. 0043
Gear indicator
0044 Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area, an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X If the color in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the UP UPdis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Maximum acceleration X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the
optimum gear according to the speed.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
if
you apply full throttle, the automatic trans- mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This
prevents the engine from overrevving. Automatic transmission
175Driving and parking Z

i
AMG vehicles:
it is not possible to use
kickdown in manual drive program M.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: press the program selector button
(Y page 172).
The Mmessage in the multifunction display
goes out.
X AMG vehicles: press the program selector
button (Y page 172) repeatedly until Cor S
appears in the multifunction display. 176
Automatic transmissionDriving and pa
rking

Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
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.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction in the system, it may not be possible to apply
the released parking brake.
X If this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it roll- ing away.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
i The electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal. Applying/releasing manually X
To engage: push handle 0043.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the 0049(USA only) or 0024
(Canada only) red indicator lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: pull handle0043.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R if the SmartKey is in position 1in the
ignition lock (Y page 157) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage
the electric parking brake (Y page 161).
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is applied auto-
matically:
R if DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R if the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary 184
ParkingDriving and parking