Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, 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
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 regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra
iler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing 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 moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure.
RWhen driving downhill, shift to a lower gear toutilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
216Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking
Service menu
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you have the following options in the
Serv.
menu:
RCalling up display messages in message
memory (Ypage 234)
RRestarting the tire pressure loss warning sys-
tem (Ypage 337) or checking the tire pres-
sure electronically (Ypage 339)
RCalling up the service due date
(Ypage 306)
Settings menu
Introduction
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, In the Sett.menu you have the follow-
ing options:
RChanging the instrument cluster settings
(Ypage 229)
RChanging the light settings (Ypage 229)
RChanging the vehicle settings (Ypage 230)
RChanging the convenience settings
(Ypage 230)
RRestoring the factory settings (Ypage 231)
Instrument cluster submenu
Selecting the distance unit
The Display Unit Speedometer / Odome‐ter:function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles in
the multifunction display.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Instrument Clustersubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Display Unit Speedometer / Odometer
function.
You will see the selected setting: kmormiles.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for distance
applies to:
RDigital speedometer in the Tripmenu
ROdometer and the trip odometer
RTrip computer
RCurrent consumption and the range
RNavigation instructions in the Navimenu
RCruise control
RDISTRONIC PLUS
RASSYST PLUS service interval display
Selecting permanent display
ThePermanent Display:function allows you
to choose whether the multifunction display
always shows the outside temperature or the
speed.
The speed display is inverse to the speedome-
ter.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Instrument Clustersubmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Permanent Display:function.
The current setting, Outside Temperature,
Speedometer [km/h]or Speedometer[mph]appears.
XTo change the setting: pressaagain.
Light submenu
Setting the daytime running lamps
This function is not available in Canada.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Lightsubmenu.
Menus and submenus229
On-board computer and displays
Z
Tires
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
CheckTirePressureSoonThe tire pressure loss warning system has detected a significant loss
in pressure.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
Ryou have changed the positions of the wheels and tires or installed
new wheels and tires.
Rthe tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly
GWARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose the following hazards:
Rthey may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed increase.
Rthey may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be
greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 156).
XCheck the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat
tire (Ypage 315).
XCheck the tire pressures and, if necessary, correct the tire pressure.
XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system when the tire pres-
sure is correct (Ypage 337).
CheckTirePressureThen Restart RunFlat Indicator
The tire pressure loss warning system generated a display message
and has not been restarted since.
XSet the correct tire pressure in all four tires.
XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system (Ypage 337).
Run Flat IndicatorInoperativeThe tire pressure loss warning system is faulty.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
PleaseCorrectTirePressureThe tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
XCheck the tire pressures at the next opportunity (Ypage 337).
XIf necessary, correct the tire pressure.
XRestart the tire pressure monitor (Ypage 340).
Displa y messages259
On-board computer and displays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Check TiresThe tire pressurein on eor mor etires has dropped significantly. The
whee lposition is displayed in th emultifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
Tir epressures that are to olow pos eth efollowin ghazards :
Rthey may burst, especially as th eload and vehicl espeed increase.
Rthey may wear excessivel yand/o runevenly, whic hmay greatl y
impair tire traction .
Rthedrivin gcharacteristics ,as well as steering and braking ,may be
greatl yimpaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XStop th evehicl ewithout making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers .Pay attention to th etraffic condition sas you do so.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 156).
XCheckth etires and ,if necessary, follow th einstruction sfor aflat
tire (Ypage 315).
XChec kth etire pressur e (Ypage 337).
XIf necessary, correc tth etire pressure.
Warnin gTir eMal ‐functionThe tire pressur ein on eor mor etires has dropped suddenly. The whee l
position is shown in th emultifunction display.
GWARNIN G
Drivin gwit h a flat tire poses aris kof th efollowin ghazards :
Raflat tire affects th eabilit yto steer or brak eth evehicle.
Ryou could lose control of th evehicle.
Rcontinued drivin gwit h a flat tire will caus eexcessive heat build-up
and possibl y afire.
There is aris kof an accident.
XStop th evehicl ewithout making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers .Pay attention to th etraffic condition sas you do so.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 156).
XCheckth etires and ,if necessary, follow th einstruction sfor aflat
tire (Ypage 315).
TirePress.Monito rCurrently Unavaila‐ble
Becausethere is interferenc efrom astron gsource of radi owaves, no
signals from th etire pressur esensor sare detected. The tire pressur e
monitor is temporarily malfunctioning .
XDrive on.
The tire pressur emonitor restarts automatically as soo nas th e
problem has been resolved.
Tir ePress. Sen ‐sor(s) Missin gThere is no signal from th etire pressur esensor of on eor several
wheels. The pressur eof th eaffecte dtire is no tdisplayed in th emul-
tifunction display.
XHav eth efault ytire pressur esensor replace dat aqualified special -
ist workshop .
260Display messages
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
TirePressure Moni‐tor Inoperative NoWheel Sensor s
The wheels mounte ddo no thav e a suitable tire pressur esensor .The
tire pressur emonitor is deactivated.
XMoun twheels wit hsuitable tire pressur esensors.
The tire pressur emonitor is activated automatically after drivin gfor
a few minutes.
Tir ePress.Monito rInoperativeThe tire pressur emonitor is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Shiftto'P'or'N'to Start EngineYou haveattempte dto start th eengin ewit hth etransmission in posi-
tion Ror D.
XShift th etransmission to position Por N.
Apply Brake toShift fro m'P'You hav eattempte dto shift th etransmission to position D,Ror N
without depressing th ebrak epedal .
XDepress th ebrak epedal .
ToDeselectPorN,Depres sBrake andStart Engine
Wit hth eengin eswitched off ,you hav eattempte dto shift th etrans -
mission out of position Por Nint oanother transmission position .
XDepress thebrak epedal .
XStart th eengine.
TransmissionNotinP Ris kof Vehicl eRollingAwa y
The driver's door is open/not completely closed and th etransmission
is in position R,N or D.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
The vehicl emay rol laway.
There is aris kof an accident.
XShift th etransmission to position P.
XSecureth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 156).
XCloseth edriver's door completely.
Onl yShift to 'P'whe nVehicl eisSta‐tionar y
The vehicl eis moving .
XStop thevehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin gattention to roa d
and traffic conditions.
XShift th etransmission to position P.
Display messages261
On-board computer and displays
Z
Tires
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction) is lit.
The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at least one of the tires.
GWARNING
Tire pressures that are too low pose the following hazards:
Rthey may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed increase.
Rthey may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly impair tire trac-
tion.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XStop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking maneuvers. Pay
attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 156).
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XCheck the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a flat tire
(Ypage 315).
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 337).
XIf necessary, correct the tire pressure.
hN The yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction)
flashes for approximately one minute and then remains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
GWARNING
The system is possibly unable to recognize or register low tire pressure.
There is a risk of an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction display.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster277
On-board computer and displays
Z
XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
make sure that the normal vehicle level is
selected (
Ypage 183).
XSwitch off the engine.
XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO:remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the driv-
er's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(
Ypage 134).
XMake sure that the engine cannot be started
via your smartphone (Ypage 136).
XMake sure that the passengers are not endan-
gered as they do so. Make sure that no one is
near the danger area while a wheel is being
changed. Anyone who is not directly assisting
in the wheel change should, for example,
stand behind the barrier.
XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traffic
conditions when doing so.
XClose the driver's door.
iOnly operate the tire inflation compressor
using a 12 V socket, even if the ignition is
turned off (
Ypage 289).
An emergency cut-out ensures that the on-
board voltage does not drop too low. If the on-
board voltage is too low, the power to the
sockets is automatically cut. This ensures
that there is sufficient power to start the
engine.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
General notes
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat char-
acteristics), you can continue to drive your vehi-
cle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one
or more tires. The affected tire must not show
any clearly visible damage.
You can recognize MOExtended tires by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
sidewall of the tire. You will find this marking
next to the tire size designation, the load-bear-
ing capacity and the speed index (
Ypage 346). MOExtended tires may only be used in conjunc-
tion with an active tire pressure loss warning
system or with an active tire pressure monitor.
If a pressure loss warning message appears
in the multifunction display:
Robserve the instructions in the display mes-
sages (Ypage 259).
Rcheck the tire for damage.
Rif driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the vehi-
cle is partially laden and approximately 18 miles
(30 km) when the vehicle is fully laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis-
tance possible depends upon:
Rvehicle speed
Rroad condition
Routside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving conditions
or maneuvers, or it can be increased through a
moderate style of driving.
The driving dista
nce possible in run-flat mode is
counted from the moment the tire pressure loss
warning appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
When replacing one or all tires, please observe
the following specifications for your vehicle's
tires:
Rsize
Rtype and
Rthe "MOExtended" mark
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you additionally
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not feature run-flat properties, e.g.
winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may be obtained from
a qualified specialist workshop.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of an accident.
316Flat tire
Breakdown assitance
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
Ryou hear banging noises.
Rthe vehicle starts to shake.
Ryou see smoke and smell rubber.
RESP®is intervening constantly.
Rthere are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
defective tire must be replaced in every case.
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes
TIREFIT is a tire sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up to
0.16 in (4 mm), particularly those in the tire
tread. You can use TIREFIT at outside tempera-
tures down to Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †).
GWARNING
In the following situations, the tire sealant is
unable to provide sufficient breakdown assis-
tance, as it is unable to seal the tire properly:
Rthere are cuts or punctures in the tire larger
than those mentioned above.
Rthe wheel rim is damaged.
Ryou have driven at very low tire pressures or on a flat tire.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNING
The tire sealant is harmful and causes irrita-
tion. It must not come into contact with your
skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed. Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tire sealant away
from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tire sealant,observe the following:
RRinse off the tire sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
RIf the tire sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water.
RIf tire sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tire sealant.
RIf an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
!Do not operate the tire inflation compressor
for longer than eight minutes at a time without a break. It may otherwise overheat.
The tire inflation compressor can be operated
again once it has cooled down.
Comply with the manufacturer’s safety instruc-
tions on the sticker on the tire inflation com-
pressor.
Using the TIREFIT kit
XDo not remove any foreign objects which have
penetrated the tire, e.g. screws or nails.
XRemove the tire sealant bottle, the accompa-
nying TIREFIT sticker and the tire inflation
compressor from the stowage well under-
neath the cargo compartment floor
(
Ypage 315).
Flat tire317
Breakdown assitance
Z