Downhill gradients
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. Take particular
note of this when driving a laden vehicle and
when towing a trailer.
This also applies if cruise control, DISTRONIC
PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC is activated.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
less braking will be required to maintain vehicle
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
The braking system can overheat if you leave your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
This increases the braking distance and could
even cause the braking system to fail. There is
a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do
not simultaneously depress both the brake
pedal and the accelerator pedal while driving.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If heavy demands are made on the brakes, do
not park the vehicle immediately. Drive on for a
short while. This allows the airflow to cool the
brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effectiveness.
To do this, brake more firmly from a higher
speed while paying attention to the traffic con-
ditions. This improves the grip of the brakes.
Wet road surfaces 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 a car wash or
after driving through deep water.
You will have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance to 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 salt-treated roads, a layer of salt
may form on the brake discs and pads. This can
increase the braking distance considerably.
R In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply the
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
the traffic conditions.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal at the end
of the journey and when starting the next
journey.
R Maintain a much greater distance to the vehi-
cle in front.
New brake discs and brake pads/
linings Brake pads/linings and discs that are either new
or have been replaced achieve optimum braking
effect only after several hundred kilometres of
driving. Compensate for the reduced braking
effect by applying greater force to the brake
pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only fitting the following brake discs and brake pads/linings:
R brake discs that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
R brake pads/linings that have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz or that are of an equivalent
standard of quality
Other brake discs or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs and brake pads/
linings on an axle at the same time. Always fit
new brake pads/linings when replacing brake
discs.
The vehicle is equipped with lightweight brake
discs to which the wheel assembly with rim and threaded connection is matched.
The use of brake discs other than those
approved by Mercedes-Benz may alter track
width and is subject to approval, if applicable.
Shock-type loads when handling the brake
discs, such as when changing wheels, can lead
to a reduction in comfort when driving with light-
weight brake discs. Avoid shock-type loads on 172
Driving tipsDriving and pa
rking
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 68). Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. Shift to a lower gear in
good time on long and steep downhill gradients.
Take particular note of this when driving a laden vehicle and when towing a trailer. By doing so,
you will make use of the braking effect of the
engine. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions are appropriate for maintaining a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store anyroad speed above 30 km/h. If you have set a
permanent limit speed, you cannot set the
speed any higher than the fixed limit speed
(Y page 177).
Important safety notes Cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident if you fail to adapt your driving style nor
override the laws of physics. Cruise control can- not take into account road, weather or traffic
conditions. Cruise control is only an aid. You are
responsible for maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brak-
ing in good time and for staying in lane. Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions that do not allow
you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads.
R on smooth or slippery roads. Braking or accel-
erating can 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 :
To store the current speed or a higher speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower speed
A To switch between cruise control and varia-
ble SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
You can operate cruise control and variable
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selected:
R LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is
selected
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown on the multifunction display for five seconds. The ésymbol appears on the
multifunction display.
Speedometer with segments: when cruise
control is activated, the segments from the 174
Driving syste
msDriving and parking
If cruise control is deactivated, a warning tone
sounds. You will see the Cruise control off
Cruise control off
message on the multifunction display for
approximately five seconds. The message on
the multifunction display disappears and the
segments on the speedometer go out.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. SPEEDTRONIC
General notes SPEEDTRONIC is used to set a speed limit for
your vehicle. If the vehicle speed exceeds the
set speed limit, SPEEDTRONIC brakes automat- ically. Shift to a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. Take particular
note of this when driving a laden vehicle and
when 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 pre-
vents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Important safety notes SPEEDTRONIC can neither reduce the risk of an
accident if you fail to adapt your driving style nor override the laws of physics. SPEEDTRONIC
cannot take into account road, weather or traffic
conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid. You
are responsible for maintaining a safe distance
from the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time and for staying in lane.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
You can set a variable or permanent limit speed:
R variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up areas
R permanent for long-term speed restrictions,
e.g. when driving with winter tyres fitted
(Y page 177)
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed stored. Variable SPEEDTRONIC General notes
:
To store the current speed or a higher speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To store the current speed or calling up the
last stored speed
? To store the current speed or a lower speed
A To switch between cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEED-
TRONIC
B Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC
With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selected:
R LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected
You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the
engine is running. If you have set a permanent
limit speed, you can variably limit the speed up
to the fixed limit speed (Y page 177).
Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the limit speed stored. X Check whether LIM indicator lamp ;is on.
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever is on. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selec-
ted. 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
less braking will be required to maintain the
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Driving tips R
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and conse-
quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility from a standstill, decrease with increas- ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate under any circumstances.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake, if necessary. Swivelling the ball coupling in/out
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer
may come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that the ball coupling is securely
engaged and locked in position.
! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-
out procedure by applying additional pressure
with your foot. The system could otherwise be
mechanically damaged.
In order to tow a trailer with the vehicle, you
must swivel the ball coupling out.
You can swivel the ball coupling out by means of the switch on the driver's door or the tailgate.
The trailer socket is integrated in the ball cou-
pling and swivels out with it.
Swivel the ball coupling in or out only when the
swivel range is unobstructed. Swivelling out using the switch on the
driver's door
X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch the ignition on.
X Pull switch :briefly.
After a short time, the ball coupling swivels
out from under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven seconds before the ball coupling
visibly swivels out.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-
pling and store it in a safe place.
Until the ball coupling vertically engages in a
securely locked position:
R indicator lamp ;flashes
R the Trailer coupling extending…
Trailer coupling extending… mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display
If the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in the
swivel range, the ball coupling swivels back into
the out-of-use position.
Swivelling out using the switch on the
tailgate X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Open the tailgate. 220
Towing a trailerDriving and parking
The segments between the speed of the vehi-
cle in front and the stored speed light up. Rev counter
! Do not drive in the overrevving range. Doing
so will damage the engine.
The red band in the rev counter indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the measured air temperature
and not the road surface temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display (Y page 230).
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Coolant temperature gauge
G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the lower
section of the rev counter (Y page 34).
At high outside temperatures and when driving
in mountainous terrain, the coolant temperature
may rise to the end of the scale.
Under normal operating conditions and with the correct coolant level, the coolant temperature
may rise to 120 †. Operating the on-board computer
:
Multifunction display
; Right control panel
= Left control panel
X To activate the on-board computer: switch
on the power supply.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
Left control panel ò R
Opens the menu list 9
: Press briefly:
R Scrolls through lists
R Selects a menu or function
R In the Radio Radio orMedia
Media menu:
opens the track or station list and
selects a station, an audio track or a video scene
R In the Telephone Telephone menu: switches
to the phone book and selects a
name or a telephone number 9
: Press and hold:
R
Scrolls quickly through all lists
R In the Radio Radio orMedia
Media menu:
selects a station, audio track or
video scene using rapid scrolling
R In the Telephone Telephone menu: starts
rapid scrolling if the phone book is open Displays and operation
229On-board computer and displays Z
Engine compartment
Bonnet
Important safety notes G
WARNING
An unlocked bonnet may open up when the
vehicle is in motion and block your view. There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlock the bonnet when driving. Before
every trip, ensure that the bonnet is locked. G
WARNING
When being opened and closed, the bonnet
may suddenly fall into the closed position.
There is a risk of injury to persons in the range of movement of the bonnet.
Open and close the bonnet only when nobody
is in the range of movement. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade. G
WARNING
There are moving components in the engine
compartment. Certain components may con-
tinue to move or suddenly move again even
after the ignition has been switched off, e.g.
the radiator fan. There is a risk of injury.
If you have to carry out work in the engine
compartment:
R switch off the ignition
R never touch the dangerous areas surround-
ing moving components, e.g. the rotation
area of the fan R
remove jewellery and watches
R keep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts.
Hybrid vehicles: make sure that you read the
separate Owner's Manual. You could otherwise
fail to recognise dangers, e.g. due to high volt-
age.
Active bonnet (pedestrian protection) Operating principle
! An active bonnet that had been triggered
must be repaired at a qualified specialist
workshop. The active bonnet function will
then be available again. The additional pedes- trian protection provided by the active bonnet
will then be restored.
The active bonnet is available only in certain
countries.
The active bonnet can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians in certain accident situations. Rais- ing the active bonnet increases the clearance tohard components, such as the engine.
If the active bonnet has been triggered, it is
raised at the rear in the area around the hinges
by approximately 80 mm. The active bonnet is
triggered by pyrotechnics.
For the drive to the workshop, reset the trig-
gered active bonnet yourself. If the active bon-
net has been triggered, pedestrian protection
may be limited.
Resetting G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. Engine compartment
325Maintenance and care Z
Engine oil
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. G
WARNING
There are moving components in the engine
compartment. Certain components may con-
tinue to move or suddenly move again even
after the ignition has been switched off, e.g.
the radiator fan. There is a risk of injury.
If you have to carry out work in the engine
compartment:
R switch off the ignition
R never touch the dangerous areas surround-
ing moving components, e.g. the rotation
area of the fan
R remove jewellery and watches
R keep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts. G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury. Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in
the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
Hybrid vehicles: make sure that you read the
separate Owner's Manual. You could otherwise
fail to recognise dangers, e.g. due to high volt-
age.
General notes Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.8 l of oil per 1000 km. The oil
consumption may be higher than this when the
vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at high
engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be installed at different locations.
To check the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface
R The engine should be switched off for approx-
imately five minutes if the engine is at normal
operating temperature
R If the engine is not at normal operating tem-
perature, e.g. if the engine was only started
briefly, wait approximately 30 minute sbefore
carrying out the measurement
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick Check the oil level with the oil dipstick (exam-
ple)
X Pull oil dipstick :out of the dipstick tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :. Engine compartment
327Maintenance and care Z
cap, you could be scalded if hot coolant
sprays out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before you open the cap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Open
the cap slowly to release the pressure. G
WARNING
If you open the bonnet while the engine is
overheating or while there is a fire in the
engine compartment, you could come into
contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
Checking the coolant level Check the coolant level (example)
X Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Check the coolant level only if the vehicle is
on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 144).
or
X Press the Start/Stop button twice on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (Y page 144).
X Check the coolant temperature display on the
instrument cluster (Y page 229).
The coolant temperature must be below
70 †. X
Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
(Y page 144).
or X Press the Start/Stop button once on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (Y page 144).
X Slowly turn cap :half a turn anti-clockwise
and allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap :further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar =
in the filler neck when cold, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
If the coolant level is approximately 1.5 cm
above marker bar =in the filler neck when
warm, there is enough coolant in coolant
expansion tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap :and turn it clockwise as far as
it will go.
Further information on coolant (Y page 378).
Topping up the windscreen washer sys-
tem G
WARNING
If windscreen washer concentrate comes into contact with hot components of the engine or
the exhaust system, it can ignite. There is a
risk of fire and injury.
Make sure the windscreen washer concen-
trate does not come into contact with the filler neck. Topping up the windscreen washer system
(example) Engine compartment
329Maintenance and care Z