
sion automatically shifts up in order to pre-
vent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull on the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 138).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
iAutomatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program M, it
will remain 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 terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deactiva-
ted, the automatic transmission shifts into the
automatic drive program that was last selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive program
M yourself:
XPull on the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in place (Ypage 138).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position (Ypage 134). or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 137).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated. The
automatic transmission switches into the
automatic drive program that was last selec-
ted.
Manual drive program
General information
In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D.
iAs well as this permanent drive program M,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M(
Ypage 138).
Switching on the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 137) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
The manual drive program is only available on
vehicles with the dynamic handling package or
AMG sports package.
Manual drive program Mis different from drive
program Swith regard to spontaneity, respon-
siveness and smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive program Mcan be selected using
the program selector button. In manual drive
program M, you can change gear using the
steering wheel paddle shifters if the transmis-
sion is in position D. The gear selected is shown
in the multifunction display.
Upshifting
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Automatic transmission139
Driving and parking
Z

Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XIf corresponding gearshift recommenda-
tion:appears in the multifunction display
on the instrument cluster, pull on the right-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter
(
Ypage 138).
The automatic transmission shifts to recom-
mended gear ;.
Downshifting
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf you brake the vehicle or stop without shift-
ing down, the automatic transmission will
shift down to a gear that will allow the vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the automatic transmission does not
shift to a lower gear if this would result in the
maximum engine speed being exceeded.
Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum accel- eration in manual drive program M.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
Switching off the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 137).
140Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

There are several ways to deactivate cruise con-
trol:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards:.
or
XBrake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
Ryou depress the parking brake
Ryou are driving at less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Ryou shift the transmission to position Nwhile
driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the Cruise Con‐
trol Offmessage in the multifunction display
for approximately five seconds.
iWhen you switch off the engine, the last
speed stored is cleared.
DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and auto-
matically helps you maintain the distance to the
vehicle detected in front. Vehicles are detected with the aid of the radar sensor system.
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden. 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 overheating and wear-
ing too quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a
collision without your intervention. An intermit-
tent warning tone will then sound and the dis-
tance warning lamp will light up in the instru-
ment cluster. Brake immediately in order to
increase the distance to the vehicle in front or
take evasive action provided it is safe to do so.
For DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be operational.
DISTRONIC PLUS operates in range between
0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h). Do not use DISTRONI
C P
LUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it
can resemble the radar detectors of the respon-
sible authorities. You can refer to the relevant
chapter in the Operator's Manual if questions
are asked about this.
iUSA only: This device has been approved by
the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The
radar sensor is intended for use in an auto-
motive radar system only. Removal, tamper-
ing, or altering of the device will void any war-
ranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do
not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device
will void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
ap prove
d way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop- ped or parked vehicles
Roncoming and crossing traffic
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give
warnings nor intervene in such situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
Driving system s153
Driving an d parking
Z

Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
Observe the notes on cleaning
(
Ypage 267)
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 vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
leaving the standard height can result in inac-
curacies in the guide lines, depending on tech-
nical conditions.
iThe rear view camera is protected from rain-
drops and dust by means of a flap. When the
rear view camera is activated, this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
Ryou have finished the maneuvering process
Ryou switch off the engine
Ryou open the trunk
Observe the notes on cleaning (
Ypage 267).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the rear view camera has
been deactivated.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
XTo activate: make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 2in the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the Activation by R gearfunction is selected in the multimedia system
(see the Digital Operator's Manual).
XEngage reverse gear.
The rear view camera flap opens. The area
behind the vehicle is shown with guide lines in
the multimedia system display.
The image from the rear view camera is avail-
able throughout the maneuvering process.
To deactivate: the rear view camera deacti-
vates if you shift the transmission to Por after
driving forwards a short distance.
Messages in the multimedia system dis- play
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 bottom-
most guideline.
:Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
;White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking tires at current steering
wheel angle (dynamic)
Driving systems171
Driving and parking
Z

Back button
%Press briefly:
RBack
RSwitches off voice-operated navi-
gation or the Voice Control System
RHides display messages or calls up
the lastTripmenu function used
RExits the telephone book/redial
memory
%Press and hold:
RCalls up the standard display in the
Tripmenu
Multifunction display
:Text field
;Menu bar
=Drive program
?Transmission position
APermanent display: outside temperature or
speed
XTo display menu bar ;:press the =
or ; button on the steering wheel.
If you do not press the buttons any longer,
menu bar ;is faded out after a few seconds.
Text field :shows the selected menu or sub-
menu as well as display messages.
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play:
RZ Gearshift recommendation, when shifting
manually (Ypage 138)
Rj Active Parking Assist (Ypage 166)
RCRUISECruise control (Ypage 151)
R_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Ypage 112)
R¤ ECO start/stop function (Ypage 131)
RëHOLD function (Ypage 162)
Menus and submenus
Menu overview
Press the =or; button on the steering
wheel to call up the menu bar and select a menu.
Operating the on-board computer (
Ypage 190).
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you can call up the following menus:
RTripmenu (Ypage 191)
RNavimenu (navigation instructions)
(Ypage 193)
RAudiomenu (Ypage 194)
RTelmenu (telephone) (Ypage 195)
RDriveAssistmenu (assistance)
(Ypage 196)
RServ.menu (Ypage 198)
RSett.menu (settings) (Ypage 198)
The displays are controlled by the multimedia
system. For this reason, the displays for the
Audio
, Naviand Telmenus may differ slightly
to those in your vehicle.
Trip menu
Standard display
XPress and hold the %button on the steer-
ing wheel until the Tripmenu with trip odom-
eter :and odometer ;appears.
Menus and submenus191
On-board computer and displays
Z

from the data shown here. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
XSlide the right-hand front seat to its rearmost
position.
XSlightly raise front floor covering=and fold
floor covering flap :upwards.
You will see VIN ;.
Engine number
:Emission control information plate, includ-
ing the certification of both federal and Cali-
fornian emissions standards
;Engine number (stamped into the crank-
case)
=VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
Service products and filling capaci-
ties
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
RFuels
RLubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
RCoolant
RBrake fluid
RWindshield washer fluid
RClimate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. Only use products recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Damage which is caused by the
use of products which have not been recom-
mended is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
warranty or goodwill gestures. They are listed in
this Mercedes-Benz Operator's Manual in the
appropriate section.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
You can recognize service products approved by
Mercedes-Benz by the following inscription on
the containers:
RMB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
RMB-Approval (e.g. MB-Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g. MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
312Service products and filling capacities
Technical data