
Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Anti-lock Braking System
ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power even
during full brake applications, thus increasing
active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.
Automatic Differential Brake The system controls the driving force by auto‐
matic braking intervention on individual
wheels. The function corresponds to a differ‐
ential lock: the system detects if a wheel be‐gins to spin, because of loose road surface,
e.g., and automatically brakes it.
The driving force is diverted to the wheel with
better traction.
As a result, the engine force is transferred
more efficiently to the wheels during accelera‐
tions.
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the power
wheels when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Within
the physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehi‐
cle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
InformationAdapt your driving style to the situation, for an
appropriate driving style is always the respon‐
sibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.
WARNING
When driving with roof load, e.g. with
roof-mounted luggage rack, driving safety may
not be ensured in driving-critical situations due
to the elevated center of gravity. There is risk
of accidents or risk of property damage. Do not
deactivate Dynamic Stability Control DSC
when driving with roof load.◀Seite 120ControlsDriving stability control systems120
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Overview
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF button
Indicator/warning lights The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFFGeneral information
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
Automatic activation When DSC is deactivated, automatic activation
occurs in the following situations:▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept The DTC system is a version of the DSC where
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum headway on
special road conditions or loose road surfaces,
e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with some‐
what limited driving stability.
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction. Driving stability is
limited during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
Therefore drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.Seite 121Driving stability control systemsControls121
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Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating DTC Press button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Performance Control Performance Control enhances the agility of
the vehicle.
To increase maneuverability, with a corre‐
spondingly sporty driving style, wheels are
braked individually. The resulting braking
power is simultaneously largely compensated
by an engine intervention.
xDrive xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep
downhill gradients. Without applying thebrakes, the vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approx. walking speed and then keeps its
speed constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system
is on standby. The system does not brake the
vehicle during this time.
Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever
position D or R.
Increasing or decreasing vehicle
speed
Specify desired speed in the range from ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h
using the rocker switch of the cruise control on
the steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be
changed by lightly accelerating.▷Press the rocker switch up to the point of
resistance: the speed increases gradually.▷Press up the rocker switch past the point
of resistance: the speed increases while
the rocker switch is pressed.▷Press the rocker switch down to the point
of resistance: the speed decreases gradu‐
ally.▷Press the rocker switch down past the
point of resistance: when driving forward,
the speed decreases to approx.
6 mph/10 km/h; when reversing, the speed
decreases to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h.Seite 122ControlsDriving stability control systems122
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Overview
Buttons on the steering wheelPress but‐
tonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt‐
ing, refer to page 127.Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 128.Resume speed, refer to
page 129.Reduce distance, refer to
page 128.Increase distance, refer to
page 129.Rocker switch.
Change/maintain speed, refer
to page 128.
Buttons are arranged according to vehicle's
series, optional features and country specifica‐
tions.
Camera A camera serves to detect vehicles.
The camera is installed near the interior rear‐
view mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/off and interrupting cruise control
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Switch off
To switch off the system while standing, step
on brake pedal at the same time.
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting Press button on the steering wheel.
If interrupting the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷When selector lever position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When Dynamic Traction Control DTC is
activated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened while the vehicle is standing still.▷If the detection range of the camera is im‐
paired, e.g., by soiling, heavy precipitation
or glare effects from the sun.Seite 127Driving comfortControls127
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▷After a longer stationary period when the
vehicle has been braked to a stop by the
system.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Information WARNING
The desired speed can be incorrectly ad‐
justed or called up by mistake. There is risk of
an accident. Adjust the desired speed to the
traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and ac‐
tively interfere in the respective situations.◀
WARNING
Risk of accident due to too high speed
differences to other vehicles, e.g. in the follow‐
ing situations:
▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷Suddenly swerving vehicle onto the own
lane.▷When fast approaching standing vehicles.
There is risk of injuries or danger to life. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 129.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
Distance WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility. Due to the system lim‐
its, braking can be late. There is risk of acci‐
dents or risk of property damage. Be aware to
the traffic situation at all times. Adjust the dis‐
tance to the traffic and weather conditions and
maintain the prescribed safety distance, possi‐
bly by braking.◀
Reduce distance Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
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InformationWARNING
The use of the system can lead to an in‐
creased risk of accidents in the following situa‐
tions:▷On winding roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
There is risk of accidents or risk of property
damage. Only use the system if driving at con‐
stant speed is possible.◀
Overview
Buttons on the steering wheel
Press buttonFunctionCruise control on, off, pause,
refer to page 133.Store speed, refer to
page 134.Resume speed, refer to
page 134.Rocker switch: change, hold,
store speed, refer to
page 134.
Controls
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Switch off
WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjustthe driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button on the
steering wheel.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷If the clutch pedal is depressed for a few
seconds or released while a gear is not en‐
gaged.▷If the gear engaged is too high for the cur‐
rent speed.▷If selector lever position N is set.▷If DTC Dynamic Traction Control is acti‐
vated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷If HDC is activated.Seite 133Driving comfortControls133
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Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Information WARNING
The desired speed can be incorrectly ad‐
justed or called up by mistake. There is risk of
an accident. Adjust the desired speed to the
traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and ac‐
tively interfere in the respective situations.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 134.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.
▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set de‐
pends on the vehicle.▷Pressing the rocker switch to the resist‐
ance point and holding it accelerates or de‐
celerates the vehicle without requiring
pressure on the accelerator pedal.
After the rocker switch is released, the ve‐
hicle maintains its final speed. Pressing the
switch beyond the resistance point causes
the vehicle to accelerate more rapidly.
Call up desired speed
Press button on the steering wheel.
The stored speed is reached and maintained. Displays in the instrument cluster
Indicator lamp Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐
ped, the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster indicates whether the sys‐
tem is switched on.
Desired speed
▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.Seite 134ControlsDriving comfort134
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Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair
the function of a variety of systems such as
ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
WARNING
Wheels and tires which are not suitable
for your vehicle can damage parts of the vehi‐
cle, e. g. due to contact with the body due to
tolerances despite the same official size rating.
There is risk of an accident.◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
New tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
WARNING
Retreated tires can have different tire
casing structures. With advanced age the serv‐
ice life can be limited. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Do not use retreated tires.◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. The plate is available from a
dealer’s service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.
With mounted winter tires, observe and adhere
to the permissible maximum speed.
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. A dealer’s service center or
another qualified service center or repair shop
will be glad to answer additional questions at
any time.
Rotating wheels between axles Different wear patterns can occur on the front
and rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. A dealer’s
service center or another qualified service cen‐
ter or repair shop will be glad to answer addi‐
tional questions at any time. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.Seite 191Wheels and tiresMobility191
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