Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) .....................................425
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) .............................4 26
Maximum tire load ......................... 423
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 426
MOExtended tires .......................... 406
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 426
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................4 26
Replacing ....................................... 427
Service life ..................................... 406
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 426
Speed rating (definition) ................ 425
Storing ...........................................4 27
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 424
Temperature .................................. 420
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 426
Tire bead (definition) ......................4 26
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 426
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 425
Tire size (data) ............................... 432
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 421
Tire tread ....................................... 405
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 426
Total load limit (definition) ............. 427
Traction ......................................... 420
Traction (definition) ....................... 426
Tread wear ..................................... 420
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 426
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 419
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 425
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 427
Wheel and tire combination ........... 434
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 425
see Flat tire
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 64
To
w-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 400 Important safety notes .................. 397
Towing a trailer
Active Parking Assist ..................... 231
Axle load, permissible .................... 458
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 381
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 266
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 268
Driving tips .................................... 264
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 75
Important safety notes .................. 263
Installing the ball coupling ............. 265
Lights display message .................. 303
Mounting dimensions .................... 457
Power supply ................................. 269
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 168
Removing the ball coupling ............ 269
Trailer drive program ..................... 256
Trailer loads ................................... 458
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 397
Installing the towing eye ................ 398
Removing the towing eye ............... 399
With both axles on the ground ....... 399
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 269
Trailer towing
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 251
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 254
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 246
PARKTRONIC ................................. 226
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 269
Transfer case ..................................... 182
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display ......... 174
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ...................... 174
Transporting the vehicle .................. 399
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 202
Driving downhill ............................. 202
Maximum gradient-climbing capa-
bility ............................................... 202
Index21
Rif there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(
Ypage 380)
Rif the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the
rear view camera may be restricted due to
additional accessories on the rear of the vehi-
cle (e.g. license plate holder, bicycle rack).
For technical reasons, leaving the standard
height can result in inaccuracies in the guide
lines on vehicles with a height-adjustable
chassis.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
XTo activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the "Show rear view camera
display" function is selected in COMAND
(see the Digital Operator's Manual).
XEngage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
XTo change the function mode for vehi-
cles with trailer tow hitch: using the
COMAND controller, select symbol :for
the "Reverse parking" function or sym- bol
;for "Coupling up a trailer" (see the
separate COMAND operating instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
To deactivate: the rear view camera deacti-
vates if you shift the transmission to Por after
driving forwards a short distance.
Displays in the COMAND display
The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
Rvery close to the rear bumper
Runder the rear bumper
Rin the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
!Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe rear section of an HGV
Ra slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline.
:White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
;Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0m) from the rear of the
vehicle
232Driving system s
Driving an d parking
apply to objects that are at the same level
as the ball coupling.
XBack up carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar marker assistant=points
approximately in the direction of trailer
drawbar ?.
XBack up carefully until trailer drawbar ?
reaches red guide line ;.
XCouple up the trailer .
360° camera (surround view)
General notes
The 360° camera is a system consisting of
four cameras.
The system analyzes images from the follow-
ing cameras:
RRear view camera
RFront camera
RTwo cameras in the exterior rear view mir-
rors
The cameras capture the immediate sur-
roundings of the vehicle. The system sup-
ports you, e.g. when parking or if vision is
restricted at an exit.
The 360° camera images can be shown in full
screen mode or in seven different split-screen
views on the COMAND display. A split-screen
view also includes a top view of the vehicle.
This view is calculated from the data supplied
by the installed cameras (virtual camera).
The seven split-screen views are:
Rtop view and picture from the rear view
camera (130° viewing angle)
Rtop view and picture from the front camera
(without displaying the maximum steering
wheel angle)
Rtop view and enlarged rear view
Rtop view and enlarged front view
Rtop view and trailer view (vehicles with
trailer tow hitch)
Rtop view and rear-view images from the
exterior mirror cameras (rear wheel view)
Rtop view and forward-view images from the
exterior mirror cameras (front wheel view)
iThe top view and trailer view are available
for vehicles equipped with a trailer tow
hitch.
When the function is active and you shift the
transmission from position Dor Rto N, you
see t
he previous view in the COMAND dis-
play. The dynamic guidelines are hidden.
When you change between transmission
positions Dand R, you see the previously
selected front or rear view.
Important safety notes
The 360° camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your imme-
diate surroundings. You are always responsi- ble for safe maneuvering and parking. When
maneuvering or parking, make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the area
in which you are maneuvering.
The 360° camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at
all. It cannot show objects in the following
areas:
Runder the front bumper
Rvery close to the front bumper
Rvery close to the rear bumper
Runder the rear bumper
Rin close range above the handle on the
trunk lid
Rvery close to the exterior mirrors
You are always responsible for safety, and
must always pay attention to your surround-
ings when parking and maneuvering. This
applies to the areas behind, in front of and
beside the vehicle. You could otherwise
endanger yourself and others.
The 360° camera will not function or will
function in a limited manner:
Rif the doors are open
Rif the exterior mirrors are folded in
236Driving systems
Driving and parking
XTo switch to full screen mode:select
Full Screen
by turning cVdthe
COMAND controller and press Wto con-
firm.
Displays in the COMAND display
Important safety notes
!Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe rear section of an HGV
Ra slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bot-
tom-most guideline.
Top view with picture from the rear view
camera
:Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rear view camera image
;Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
AYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
BVehicle center axle (marker assistance)
CRed guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
DBumper
The guide lines are shown when the trans-
mission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
Top view with picture from the front cam- era
:Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and front camera image
;Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m)from the front of the
vehicle
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking tires at current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
238Driving systems
Driving and parking
Either no braking application, or a course-
correcting brake application adapted to the
driving situation occurs if:
Rthere are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, close to both sides of your vehicle.
Ra vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
Ryou have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
Ryou brake or accelerate significantly.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP®or PRE-SAFE®Brake.
RESP®is switched off.
Rthe off-road program is activated (vehicles
without the ON&OFFROAD package).
Roff-road program 1 or 2 is activated (vehi-
cles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Rthe LOW RANGE off-road gear is activated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Ra loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that Active Blind Spot Assist is
activated in the on-board computer
(
Ypage 282).
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
Warning lamps :in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately 1.5 seconds
and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure y
ou have
correctly established the electrical connec-
tion. This can be accomplished by checking
the trailer lighting. Active Blind Spot Assist is
then deactivated. The indicator lamp lights up
yellow in the exterior mirrors and the Active
BlindSpotAssistCurrentlyUnavail‐
able See Operator's Manualmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Lane Keeping Assist
General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area
in front of your vehicle by means of camera :
at the top of the windshield. Active Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and warns you before you leave your
lane unintentionally. If you do not react to the
warning, a lane-correcting application of the
brakes can bring the vehicle back into the
original lane.
This function is available in a speed range
between 40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and
200 km/h).
For Active Lane Keeping Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be operational
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Active
Lane Keeping Assist can neither reduce the
risk of accident nor override the laws of phys-
ics. Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot take
into account road, weather or traffic condi-
tions. Active Lane Keeping Assist 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.
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot continu-
ously keep your vehicle in its lane.
GWARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings.
Driving system s251
Driving an d parking
Z
RUphill or downhill gradient in percentage
ROn-road/off-road program selected
RCondition of the differential lock for the
transfer case
RLOW RANGE off-road gear is selected
RCondition of the LOW RANGE off-road
gear
ROn-road trailer program is selected
Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Installing an unsuitable ball coupling may
result in overloading of the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle. This applies especially if the ball coupling in question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair the
driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and that
is designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech-
nical data" (
Ypage 458).
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin the vehicle documents
Ron the identification plates for the trailer
tow hitch and the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning radius
Towing a trailer263
Driving and parking
Z
so will result in a loss of function of the
brake systems of both the vehicle and the
trailer.
XShift the transmission to positionP.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
XVehicles with ADS:set ADS toAUTOor
COMF .
XSwitch off the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XCouple up the trailer.
XEstablish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
XCheck that the trailer lighting system is
working.
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When cou-
pling up a trailer, please observe the fol-
lowing:
RUnless highway level has been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically low-
ered to highway level. This is the case if a
speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
RHigh-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
RSafety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle. Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
RA separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
RSafety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to
your state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the
towing vehicle, the safety switch applies
the trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local regula-
tions:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling charac-
teristics, you should practice the following
in a traffic-free location:
-cornering
-stopping
-backing up
RBefore driving, check:
-trailer tow hitch
-safety switch for braked trailers
-safety chains
-electrical connections
-lights
-wheels
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
Towing a trailer267
Driving and parking
Z
using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly.
RSecure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
RWhen you couple up a trailer, check at reg-
ular intervals that the load isfirmly secured.
If the trailer isequipped with trailer lights
and brakes, check the trailer to ensure that
these are working.
RBear inmind that the handlin g will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination isheavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient cli mbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but
instead depress the brake pedal moder-
ate lyat first so that the trailer can activate
it s brakes. Then increase the pressure on
the brake pedal.
RIf the automat ictransmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddleshifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
RWhen drivingdown hill, shift to a lower gear
to uti lize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid co ntin
uous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
instal led,the trailer brakes.
RIfthe coolant temperature increases dra-
matical ly while the air-cond itioning system
is swit ched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can also bedissipated by
opening the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temper-
ature to the highest leve l.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
spaceinrelation to the vehicle you are
overtaking before you can change back to
the original lane.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNIN G
If you uncouple atrailer wit hth eoverrun
brak eengaged ,you could trap your han d
between th evehicl eand th etrailer drawbar.
Ther eis aris kof injury.
Do no tuncouple atrailer if th eoverrun brak e
is engaged .
GWARNING
Vehicles wit hleve lcontrol :
The vehicl eis lowered as soo nas you discon -
nect th etrailer cable. This could result in your
limb sor those of other people that are
between th evehicl ebody and tires or under-
neath th evehicl ebein gtrapped .Ther eis a
ris kof injury.
Mak esure that nobody is in th eimmediat e
vicinity of th ewhee lhousing sor under th e
vehicl ewhen you disconnect th etrailer cable.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could bedamaged bythe rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
XSh ift the transmission to position P.
XApply the vehicle's electr icparking brake.
XStart the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XApply the trailer's parking brake.
268Towing a trailer
Driving and parking