
In addition to driving style, the actual consump-
tion is affected by other factors, such as: R
load R
tire pressure R
cold start R
choice of route R
electrical consumers switched on
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-
play.
An economical driving style specially requires
driving at moderate engine speeds.
Achieving a higher value in the categories
"Acceleration" and "Constant": R
observe the gearshift recommendations. R
drive in drive program E .
On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g. on the
highway, only the outer area for "constant" will
change.
The ECO display summarizes the driving style
from the start of the journey to its completion.
Therefore, there are more marked changes in
the outer areas at the start of a journey. On lon-
ger journeys, there are fewer changes. For more
marked changes, perform a manual rest
( Y
page 241).
For further information on the ECO display, see
( Y
page 240).
Braking
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting early
to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive wear
of the brakes. When you take advantage of the engine brak-
ing effect, a drive wheel may not turn for some
time, e.g. on a slippery road surface. This
could cause damage to the drive train. This
type of damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
G WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive
on for a short while. This allows the airflow to
cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads 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 the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.182
Driving tips
Driving and parking

aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain more information on this from a
qualified specialist workshop.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note
any brake status messages in the multifunction
display. Especially for high performance driving,
it is important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if: R
you drive at low speeds. R
the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner: R
lower your speed. R
avoid ruts. R
avoid sudden steering movements. R
brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
! Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in front
or in the opposite direction create waves. This
may cause the maximum permissible water
depth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result in
damage to the engine, electrical systems and
transmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that: R
in the case of standing water, the water level
may be no higher than the lower edge of the
vehicle body R
you should drive no faster than at a walking
pace Winter driving
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed: X
Shift the transmission to position N .
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always
adapt your driving style an d drive at a speed to
suit
the prevailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.184
Driving tips
Driving and parking

For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( Y
page 363).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see ( Y
page 362).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion ( Y
page 362).
Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for inno-
vative driver assistance and safety systems
which enhance comfort and support the driver in
critical situations. With these intelligent co-ordi-
nated systems Mercedes-Benz has set a mile-
stone on the path towards autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one well
thought out system – for the safety of the vehi-
cle occupants and that of other road users.
Further information on driving safety systems
( Y
page 67).
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. Change into a lower
gear in good time on long and steep downhill
gradients. This is especially important if the
vehicle is laden. By doing so, you will make use
of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves
the load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can store any
road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise con-
trol can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control
cannot take into account the road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruise control 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 your lane.
Do not use cruise control: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
C
Activates or increases speed D
Activates or reduces speed

Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
impo rtant if the veh icle is laden. By doin g so, you
will make use of the braking effect of the engine.
This relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and wear-
ing too quic kly.
If DI ST RONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk of
a co llisio n, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DI ST RONIC PLUS cannot prevent a
co llisio n wit hout your intervention. An intermit-
tent warning tone will then sound and the dis-
tance warning lamp will light up in the instru-
ment cluster. Brake immediately in order to
increase the dist ance to the veh icle in front or
take evasive action pro vide d it is safe to do so.
DI ST RONIC PLUS operates in range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Do not use DI ST RONIC PLUS while driv ing on
roads wit h steep gradients.
As DI ST RONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the respon-
sible authorities. You can refer to the relevant
chapter in the Operator's Manual if questions
are asked about this.
i USA only: This device has been appr oved by
the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The
radar sensor is intended for use in an auto-
motive radar system only. Removal, tamper-
in g , or altering of the device will void any war-
ranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do
not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
approved way.
Any unauthorized mod ific ation to th is device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipm ent.
i Canada only: This device co mplie s wit h
RSS -210 of In dustry Canada. Operation is
subject to the foll owin g two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
receive d, inc ludin g interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device
will void any warranties, and is not permitte d.
Do not tamper wit h, alter, or use in any non-
approved way.
Any unauthorized mod ific ation to th is device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipm ent. Important safety notes
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles R
oncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DI ST RONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Alwa ys pay careful attention to the traff ic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden-
tify other road users and co mple x traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DI ST RONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate or brake unexpect edly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLU S.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 50 %o f the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is
a risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function is
activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in
certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car washDriving systems 187
Driving and parking Z

X
Releas e th e brak e pedal .X
Carefully depress th e accelerato r pedal .
Fo r further information on pullin g away
( Y
page 149).
Driving
DYNAMIC SELECT switch Dri ve program sUse th e DYNAMIC SELECT switch to chang e th e
driv e program . Dependin g on th e driv e program
selected th e followin g vehicl e characteristics
will change: R
th e driv e (engin e and transmission manage-
ment) R
th e suspensionR
th e steeringR
th e climat e control :-
th e climat e control setting s-
th e rear window defroste r operation period-
th e performance of th e seat heatingR
th e availabilit y of th e Ec o Assistant
Eac h time you start th e engin e usin g th e Smart -
Key or th e Start/Sto p button, driv e program C is
activated. Fo r further information about starting
th e engine, see ( Y
page 148).
X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT switch C forwards
or backwards until th e desired driv e program
is selected.
The status ico n of th e selected driv e program
is shown in th e multifunction display.
In addition , th e curren t driv e program setting s
are displayed briefly in th e multimedia system
display.
i In a few countries, th e ECO start/sto p func-
tion is deactivated at th e factory due to th e available fuel grade. In this case, th e ECO
start/sto p function is no t available in any
driv e program , regardless of th e display in th e
multimedia system display.
Available drive programs:
I Individual Individual setting s
S+ Sport Plus R
Extremely sport y driving
style wit h boos t mod e R
Electric-only operation is
no t possibl e
S Sport R
Sport y driving style wit h
boos t mod e R
Electric-only operation is
no t possibl e
C Comfort R
Comfortable, economical
driving style R
Electric-only driv e is pos -
sibl e
E Economy R
Particularly economical
driving style R
Electric operation mod e
is used as often as possi-
ble R
Double pulse s in th e hap-
ti c accelerato r pedal , as
an indication to release
th e accelerato r pedal
( Y
page 230) R
Afte r th e accelerato r
pedal has been released,
th e coasting characteris -
tics of th e vehicl e are
adapted to th e traffic
conditions.
Additional information for driv e program s
( Y
page 159).
Using th e steering whee l paddl e shifters, you
can temporarily chang e gear s yourself . Fo r fur -
ther information on th e manual driv e program
( Y
page 229).
Manua l gear shi ft ing
Using th e steering whee l paddl e shifters, you
can temporarily chang e gear s yourself . The
transmission mus t be in position D . During man -
ual gearshifting , th e combustion engin e is
always switched on .PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 229
Driving and parking Z