Driving tipsAutomati ctransmissio n................ .161
Brakes ...........................................1 75
Break-in period .............................. 146
Checking brake lining thickness .... 176
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 186
Downhill gradient ........................... 175
Drinking and driving ....................... 173
Driving in winter .............................1 77
Driving on flooded roads ................ 177
Driving on wet roads ......................1 77
Exhaust check ............................... 173
Fuel ................................................ 173
General .......................................... 172
Hydroplaning ................................. 177
Icy road surfaces ........................... 177
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 175
Snow chains .................................. 331
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 146
Wet road surface ........................... 175
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 217
DYNAMIC SELECT button
Climate control (3-zone automatic
climate control) .............................1 35
Climate control (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 132
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) .................................................... 155
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................. 156
E
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 230
Function/notes ................................ 72
ECO display
Function/notes .............................1 74
On-board computer ....................... 214
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 152
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 152
Deactivating/activating ................. 153
General information ....................... 152 Important safety notes .................. 151
Introduction ................................... 151
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 58
Emergency release
Driver's door ....................................8 5
Trunk ............................................... 87
Vehicle ............................................. 85
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 56
Emissions control
Service and warranty information ....2 2
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .267
Display message ............................ 243
ECO start/stop function ................ 151
Engine number ............................... 365
Irregular running ............................ 154
Jump-starting ................................. 319
Starting (important safety notes) ... 149
Starting problems .......................... 154
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 149
Starting with the Start/Stop but-
ton ................................................. 150
Switching off .................................. 170
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 325
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 154
Engine jump starting
see Jump starting (engine)
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 298
Additives ........................................ 369
Checking the oil level ..................... 297
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 298
Display message ............................ 245
Filling ca
pacity ............................... 368
Notes about oil grades ................... 368
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 297
Temperature (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............... 223
Viscosity ........................................ 369
Index9
ESP®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram)
AMG menu (on-board computer) .. .224
Characteristics ................................. 69
Deactivating/activating (button
in Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ............. 70
Deactivating/activating (except
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles) ................. 70
Deactivating/activating (on-
board computer, except
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ...............2 19
Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ................................ 69
General notes .................................. 69
Important safety information ........... 69
Trailer stabilization ........................... 72
Warning lamp ................................. 263
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ...................................................... 69
Exhaust
see Exhaust pipe
Exhaust check ................................... 173
Exhaust pipe
Cleaning ......................................... 306
Exterior lighting
Cleaning ......................................... 305
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 107
Dipping (automatic) ....................... 108
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 223
Folding in/out (automatically) ....... 108
Folding in/out (electrically) ........... 107
Out of position (troubleshooting) ... 108
Setting ........................................... 108
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 110
Storing the parking position .......... 109
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 273
F
Filler cap
see Refueling
Flat tire
MOExtended tires .......................... 311
Preparing the vehicle ..................... 310 TIREFIT kit ...................................... 312
Floormats ........................................... 294
Fog lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Frequencies
Mobile phone ................................. 362
Two-way radio ................................ 362
Front fog lamps
Display message ............................ 241
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Fuel
Additives ........................................ 367
Consumption information .............. 367
Consumption statistics .................. 214
Displaying the current consump-
tion ................................................ 214
Displaying the range ...................... 214
Driving tips .................................... 173
E10 ................................................ 366
Flexible fuel vehicles ...................... 367
Fuel gauge ....................................... 31
Grade (gasoline) ............................ 366
Important safety notes .................. 365
Problem (malfunction) ................... 169
Refueling ........................................ 167
Tank content/reserve fuel ............. 366
Fuel filler flap
Opening ......................................... 168
Fuel level
Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 214
Fuel tank
Capacity ........................................ 366
Problem (malfunction) ................... 169
Fuses
Allocation chart ............................. 326
Before changing ............................. 325
Fuse box in the engine compart-
ment .............................................. 325
Fuse box in the front-passenger
footwell .......................................... 326
Important safety notes .................. 325G
Garage door openerClearing the memory ..................... 292
General notes ................................ 289
10Index
Protection of the environment
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
The objectives are for the natural resources
that form the basis of our existence on this
planet to be used sparingly and in a manner
that takes the requirements of both nature
and humanity into account.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tire wear are affected by these factors:
Roperating conditions of your vehicle
Ryour personal driving style
You can influence both factors. You should
bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
Ravoid short trips as these increase fuel con-
sumption.
Ralways make sure that the tire pressures
are correct.
Rdo not carry any unnecessary weight.
Rremove roof racks once you no longer need
them.
Ra regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
Ralways have service work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
Rdo not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
Rdo not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary.
Rdrive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front.
Ravoid frequent, sudden acceleration and
braking.
Rchange gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ôof its maximum engine speed.
Rswitch off the engine in stationary traffic.
Rkeep an eye on the vehicle's fuel consump-
tion.
Environmental concerns and recom-
mendations
Wherever the operating instructions require
you to dispose of materials, first try to regen-
erate or re-use them. Observe the relevant
environmental rules and regulations when
disposing of materials. In this way you will
help to protect the environment.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
HEnvironmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned major
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. They are covered by the
same Limited Warranty entitlements as new
parts.
!Air bags and Emergency Tensioning Devi-
ces, as well as control units and sensors for these restraint systems, may be installed in
the following areas of your vehicle:
Rdoors
Rdoor pillars
Rdoor sills
Rseats
Rcockpit
Rinstrument cluster
Rcenter console
Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have aftermarket accessories installed at a qualified specialist workshop.
Introduction21
Z
When engaging transmission positionDor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pull-
ing away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking
feature (
Ypage 222).
It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if you
depress the brake pedal. Only then can the
parking lock be deactivated.
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): if you do not depress the brake pedal,
the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved
but the parking lock remains engaged.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if you do not
depress the brake pedal, the selector lever
can still be moved but the parking lock
remains engaged.
At transmission fluid temperatures below
Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †), you can only shift out of park
position Pinto another transmission position
when the engine is running.
iUpshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Information on the automatic release of the
electric parking brake (
Ypage 171).
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
Ryou are pulling away on a level road or on a downhill gradient.
Rthe transmission is in position N.
Rthe electric parking brake is applied.
RESP®is malfunctioning.
Further information on holding the vehicle
stationary on uphill gradients (
Ypage 161).
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
Driving151
Driving and parking
Z
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:it is only possible
to use kickdown in the automatic drive pro-
gram and the temporary manual drive pro-
gram M. When manual drive program Mis
permanently activated, kickdown is not pos-
sible.
For further information on kickdown in man-
ual drive program M(
Ypage 166).
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R,
move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past the point of resistance.
Drive programs
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program
Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rsporty engine settings.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later. the fuel consumption possibly being
higher as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points.
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive program Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
Rthe suspension (vehicles with damping sys-
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)
Rthe steering
Rthe availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
Rthe climate control:
Information about the configuration of drive
program Iwith COMAND or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
iTo permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M(manual) setting for
the drive.
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive program Eis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rcomfort-oriented engine settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
162Automatic transmission
Driving and parking
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is activated automatically
when engine-internal conditions are fulfil-
led and the accelerator is not depressed. At
the same time the transmission’s clutch
opens and the vehicle rolls freely using its
kinetic energy. As a result great distances
can be completed without the engine brake
and fuel consumption reduced.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Drive program I (Individual)
In drive programIthe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
Rthe drive (engine management)
Rthe transmission management
Rthe suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE
CONTROL)
RESP®
Information about the configuration of drive
program Iwith COMAND or Audio 20 can be
found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
Drive program C (Comfort)
Drive program Cis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal handling characteristics.
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Rgliding mode is available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is available. Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program
Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-
teristics.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later. the fuel consumption possibly being
higher as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits stiff springing and
damping settings (vehicles with AIR RIDE
CONTROL).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rthe vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-
ing characteristics.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later.
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG
RIDE CONTROL)
The RACE drive program is characteriz
ed by
the following:
Rthe vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack.
Rall vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later.
Automatic transmission163
Driving and parking
Z
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points.
Rthe suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AMG adaptive sport suspension sys-
tem).
Rgliding mode is not available.
Rthe ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble.
Manual gear shifting
General notes
You can change gear yourself using the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters. The transmission
must be in position D.
Depending on which paddle shifter is pulled,
the automatic transmission immediately
shifts into the next gear down or up, if per-
mitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual
shifting, you have two options:
Rtemporary setting
Rpermanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the mul-
tifunction display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the
gears will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting
XTo activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever
to position D.
XPull steering wheel paddle shifter :or;.
Temporary setting will be 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 ter-
rain.
XTo deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter ;and hold it in place.
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XAll vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles): use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to
change the drive program.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-
gram.
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
XTo activate: shift the selector lever to posi-
tion P.
XPress button :.
XTo deactivate: press button:.
or
XIf position D (automatic transmission) is
selected for the transmission in drive pro-
gram I: shift to drive program Iwith the
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.
164Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the coun-
try in which you are driving. Some jurisdic-
tions prohibit the driver from using a mobile
phone while driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per
second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
RThe tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
RRemove unnecessary loads.
RRemove roof racks when they are not nee-
ded.
RWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
RAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
RHave all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service
interval display.
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
hilly terrain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications. Always
have work on the engine carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. In
particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out at
a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. Furthermore, all
specific service work must be carried out at
regular intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Maintenance Booklet.
Driving tips173
Driving and parking
Z