
The percent value is the average value of the
three bars. The three bars and the mean value
begin at the value of 50%. A higher percent-
age indicates a more economical driving
style.
The ECO display does not indicate the actual
fuel consumption. A fixed percentage count
in the ECO display does not indicate a fixed
consumption.
Apart from driving style, consumption is
dependent on many factors such as, e.g.:
Rload
Rtire pressure
Rcold start
Rchoice of route
Relectrical consumers switched on
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-
play.
The evaluation of your driving style is carried
out using the following three categories:
RAccel.(evaluation of all acceleration pro-
cesses):
-The bar fills up: moderate acceleration,
especially at higher speeds
-The bar empties: sporty acceleration
RConstant(assessment of driving behavior
at all times):
-The bar fills up: constant speed and
avoidance of unnecessary acceleration
and deceleration
-The bar empties: fluctuations in speed
RCoasting(assessment of all deceleration
processes):
-The bar fills up: anticipatory driving,
keeping your distance and early release
of the accelerator. The vehicle can coast
without use of the brakes.
-The bar empties: frequent braking
iAn economical driving style specially
requires driving at moderate engine
speeds.
To achieve a higher value in the categories
Accel.
and Constant, observe the gear-
shift recommendations.
iOn long journeys at a constant speed, e.g.
on the highway, only the bar for Constant
will change.
iThe ECO display summarizes the driving
characteristics from the start of the journey
to its completion. For this reason, the bars change dynamically at the beginning of the
journey. On longer journeys, there are
fewer changes. For more dynamic changes,
carry out a manual reset.
For further information on the ECO display,
see (
Ypage 276).
Braking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road sur-
face. This could cause damage to the drive
train. This type of damage is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Do not depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light
pressure to the pedal. This results in exces-
sive and premature wear to the brake pads.
194Driving tips
Driving and parking

ues are requiredbylaw and must therefore
always beaccurate.
The outside temperature indicator isnot
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and istherefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes inthe outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indic ated temperatures just above the freez-
ing poin tdo not guarantee that the road sur-
face isfree of ice. The road may still beicy,
especial ly inwooded areas or on bridges. You
should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 407).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 406).
Observe the notes inthe "Winter operation"
section (
Ypage 406).
Off-road driving
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
If you driv eon asteep inclin eat an angle or
tur nwhen driving on an incline, th evehicl e
could slip sideways, ti pand rollover. Ther eis a
ris kof an accident.
Always driv eon asteep inclin ein th elin eof
fall (straight up or down )and do no ttur nth e
vehicle.
GWARNIN G
Flammable materia lsuc has leaves, gras sor
twigs may ignit eif they come int ocontact wit h
hot part sof th eexhaust system. Ther eis aris k
of fire.
When driving off road or on unpaved roads,
check th evehicle's underside regularly. In
particular, remove part sof plants or other
flammable materials whic hhave become
trapped .In th ecas eof damage, contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNIN G
If th evehicl eleve lis high ,th evehicl ecente rof
gravity is raised. This could caus eth evehicl e
to tip ove rmor eeasil yon uphill or downhill
gradients .Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Selec tth elowes tpossible vehicl elevel.
!There isa risk of damage to the vehicle if:
Rthe vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
curb or an unpaved road
Ryou drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. a
curb or a hole inthe road
Ra heavy object strikes the undercarriage
or parts of the chassis
In situations like this, the body, the under-
carriage, chassis parts, wheels or tires
could bedamaged without the damage
being visible. Components damaged inthis
way can unexpectedly fail or, inthe case of
an acc ident, no longer withstand the strain
they are designed to.
If the underbody paneling isdamaged,
combusti blematerials such as leaves,
grass or twigs can gather between the
underbody and the underbody paneling. If
these materials come incontact with hot
parts of the exhaust system, they can catch
fire.
In such situations, have the vehicle
checked and repaired immediately at a
qualif ied specialist workshop. Ifon con-
tinuing your journey you notice that driving
safety isimpaired, pullover and st op t
he
vehicle immediately, paying attention to
road and traff iccond itions. Insuch cases,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
When driving off-road, substances such as
sand, mud and water or water mixed with oil
may get into the brakes. This could result ina
reduced braking effect or intotal brake failure
and also inincreased wear and tear. The brak-
ing characteristics change depending on the
material ingressing the brakes. Clean the
brakes after driving off-road. Ifyou detect a
reduced braking effect or grinding noises,
have the brake system checked inaqualif ied
198Driving tips
Driving and parking

select a lower gear in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. 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 over-
heating 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).
iCruise control should not be activated
when driving off-road.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent 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 dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel- erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen 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.
Cruise control lever
:To activate or increase speed
;To activate or reduce speed
=To deactivate cruise control
?To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds.
Activation conditions
To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation conditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe electric parking brake must be
released.
Ryou are driving faster than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
Rthe transmission must be in position D.
RDSR must be deactivated.
Roff-road program 2 must be deactivated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Driving systems203
Driving and parking
Z

Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rwhen there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example, in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi- cle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpect-
edly accelerate the vehicle to the stored
speed.
This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
Rbe so high when driving in the right-hand
lane that you overtake vehicles in the left-
hand lane
Rbe so high when driving in the left-hand lane
that you overtake vehicles in the right-hand
lane
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
:To activate or increase speed
;To activate or reduce speed
=To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
?To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
ATo set the specified minimum distance
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the fol-
lowing conditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
Rthe electric parking brake must be
released.
RESP®must be active, but not intervening.
Rthe transmission must be in position D.
Rthe driver's door must be closed when you
shift from Pto Dor your seat belt must be
fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door and rear doors
must be closed.
Roff-road program 2 must be deactivated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
RDSR must be deactivated.
Rthe vehicle must not skid.
Driving system s207
Driving an d parking
Z

Sports tuning
Example: vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package
:
Suspension tuning button
;Indicator lamp for sports tuning
=Indicator lamp for comfort tuning
XStart the engine.
XPress button:.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected. The vehicle is low-
ered by 0.6 in (15 mm).
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
Comfort tuning
Example: vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package
:
Suspension tuning button
;Indicator lamp for sports tuning
=Indicator lamp for comfort tuning
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected. The vehicle is raised by 0.6 in
(15 mm).
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. There-
fore, select this mode if you favor a more
comfortable driving style. Select comfort
mode also when driving fast on straight roads,
e.g. on straight stretches of highway.
Active Curve System
The Active Curve System uses active stabil-
izers to optimize both driving comfort and
vehicle agility. Depending on the ADS mode
selected (
Ypage 218), the Active Curve Sys-
tem also changes the setting.
If you select ADS comfort mode:
Rrolling movement is reduced in the event of
changing surface undulations
Rthe roll angle when cornering is reduced
Rthe driving style is agile
If you select ADS sport mode:
Rthe roll angle is reduced significantly
Rthe driving style is even more agile
Level control
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
GWARNING
When you drive with the vehicle raised, the
driving characteristics could be impaired by
the vehicle's raised center of gravity. The vehi-
Driving systems219
Driving and parking
Z

cle could rollover more easily, for example on
a bend. There is a risk of an accident.
Always select as low a vehicle level as possi-
ble and adjust your driving style.
GWARNING
When you drive with the chassis lowered or
raised, the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics can be significantly impaired. You
could also exceed the permissible vehicle
height if the chassis is raised. There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the vehicle level before pulling away.
GWARNING
Due to the high center of gravity, the vehicle
may start to skid and roll over in the event of
an abrupt steering maneuver 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
clearance. You will otherwise damage the
vehicle.
!When you raise the vehicle in such a way
that not all wheels have contact with the
ground, remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
RUtility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal injury.
RIn a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a per-
son wearing a seat belt.
You and all vehicle occupants should
always wear your seat belts. General notes
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(
Ypage 198).
Level control adapts the vehicle level auto-
matically to the current operating and driving
situation. This results in reduced fuel con-
sumption and improved ha
ndling.
If you select ADS comfort mode (
Ypage 218),
the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level as
the speed increases. As the vehicle speed
decreases, the vehicle is raised back up to
highway level.
If you select ADS sport mode (
Ypage 218),
the vehicle skips highway level and lowers
directly to high-speed level depending on the
basic setting (
Ypage 220).
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle
to adjust to the new level as quickly as pos-
sible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the vehi-
cle level is lower; with an increase in temper- ature, the vehicle level rises.
If you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the
vehicle begins to compensate for load dis-
crepancies while still parked. However, for
significant level changes, such as after the
vehicle has been stationary for a long period,
the engine must be on. For safety reasons,
the vehicle is only lowered when the doors areclosed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened, and it continues once the door has
been closed.
Basic settings (excluding Mercedes-AMG
vehicles)
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting selec-
ted. Sele ct ra
ised level for off-road driving or
highway/high-speed level for normal roads.
220Driving systems
Driving and parking

In Comfort and Sport driving modes, after
locking the vehicle it lowers to the Sport+
level. When locking the vehicle at the raised
level, the vehicle does not lower.
The settings will remain stored after you
switch off the engine. When starting the
engine, the selected setting, e.g. AMG adap-
tive suspension system Comfort, is restored.
iThe vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside tempera-
ture changes. If the temperature drops, the
vehicle level lowers; with an increase in
temperature, the vehicle level rises.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style
Rthe road surface conditions
Ryour individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
XPress button :once.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted Sport mode.
The AMG
SuspensionSystemSPORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode pref-
erably when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps =and ;are off:
XPress button :twice.
Indicator lamps =and ;light up. You
have selected Sport + mode. The vehicle is
lowered by 10 mm.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If indicator lamp ;lights up:
XPress button :once.
Second indicator lamp =lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode. The vehicle is
lowered by 10 mm.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT +
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Comfort mode
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a comfortable driving
style. Select comfort mode also when driving
fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway.
XPress button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps =and ;go out.
You have selected Comfort mode. The vehi-
cle is raised by 10 mm compared with
Sport + mode.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Driving systems223
Driving and parking
Z

some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb. If necessary, you should can-
cel the parking procedure with Active Park-
ing Assist.
RYou can also select preselect transmission
positionD. The vehicle redirects and does
not drive as far into the parking space.
Should the gear change occur too soon to
achieve a sensible parking position, the
parking procedure will be aborted.
Exiting a parking space
In order that Active Parking Assist can sup-
port you when you exit the parking space:
Ryou need to have parked using Active Park-
ing Assist.
Rthe border of the parking space must be
high enough at the front and the rear. A
curb stone is too small, for example.
Rthe border of the parking space must not be
too wide, as the position of the vehicle must
not exceed an angle of 45° to the starting
position as it is maneuvered into the park-
ing space.
Ra maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available.
XStart the engine.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the turn signal in the direction
you are pulling away.
XShift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
XTo cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel
or pull away.
or
XTo exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press theabutton on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
andBrakeObserveSurroundingsmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XLet go of the multifunction steering wheel.
XReverse the vehicle or drive forwards, being
ready to brake at all times. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h) when exiting a parking space.
Otherwise Active Parking Assist will be can-
celed.
XStop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
XShift the transmission to position Dor Ras
required while the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
iYou will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete
before pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forwards or back up the vehicle, being
ready to brake at all times.
XStop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
XDrive forwards and back up as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist Finished
message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering, before the vehicle
has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
230Driving systems
Driving and parking