
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from 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 salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, apply the
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
the traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine is
running
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop to
arrange this.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or per-
formance tests may only be carried out on a 2-
axle dynamometer. If you wish to operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop in
advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®sys-
tem operates automatically, the engine and
the ignition must be switched off (SmartKey in
position 0or 1in the ignition lock or Start/
Stop button in position 0or 1) while the park- ing brake is being tested on a brake dyna-
mometer.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP
®may seriously damage the brake sys-
tem.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®sys-
tem operates automatically, the engine and
the ignition system must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0or 1in the ignition
lock or Start/Stop button in position 0or 1)
when:
Rtesting the parking brake on a brake dyna-
mometer.
Ryou intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP
®may seriously damage the brake sys-
tem.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake
system must be carried out at a qualified spe-
c
ialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the functional-
ity of your brakes at regular intervals. To do so,
press firmly on the brake pedal when driving at a
high speed. This improves the grip of the brake
pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS) on (
Ypage 62) or of BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist on (Ypage 62).
The braking characteristics of the vehicle can be
seriously impaired if:
Rbrake pads other than those recommended
are installed
Rthe recommended brake fluid is not used
Safe braking can no longer be guaranteed.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.
Driving tips149
Driving and parking
Z

For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Ravoid sudden steering movements.
Rbrake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
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.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter. Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position
N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always
adapt your driving style and drive at a speed to
sui t the p
revailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 287).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 287).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion (
Ypage 287).
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
(
Ypage 61).
150Driving systems
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

Drivingwit hDISTRONI CPLUS
Pullin gawa yan ddrivin g
XIf you wan tto pull awa ywit hDISTRONI C
PLUS :remov eyour foot from th ebrake pedal.
XBriefly pull th ecruise contro llever toward s
you :.
or
XAccelerat ebriefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapt sits speed
to that of th evehicle in front.
If no vehicle is detecte din front, your vehicle
accelerates to th eset speed.
The vehicle can also pull away when it is facin g
an unidentifie dobstacl eor is drivin gon adiffer-
en tlin efrom another vehicle. The vehicle then
brake sautomatically.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLU S
operates in th esam eway as cruise control.
If DISTRONIC PLU Sdetects that th evehicle in
fron thas slowed down ,it brake syour vehicle. In
this way, th edistanc eyou hav eselecte dis main -
tained.
If DISTRONIC PLU Sdetects afaster-movin g
vehicle in front, it increase sth edrivin gspeed.
However, th evehicle is only accelerated up to
th espeed you hav estored.
Selecting th edrive program
DISTRONIC Plus supports asport ydrivin gstyle
when you hav eselecte dth eS or Mdrivin gpro -
gram (
Ypage 137). Acceleration behin dth e
vehicle in fron tor to th eset speed is then notice -
ably more dynamic .If you hav eselecte dth eE
drivin gprogram, th evehicle accelerates more
gently. Thi ssetting is recommended in stop-
and-start traffic .
Changinglanes
If you chang eto th epassin glane, DISTRONIC
PLU Ssupports you when :
Ryou are drivingfaste rthan 45 mph (70 km/h)
RDISTRONIC PLU Sis maintainin gth edistanc e
to avehicle in fron t
Ryou switch on th eappropriat eturn signal
RDISTRONIC PLU Sdoe sno tdetec t adanger of
collision
If these condition sare fulfilled, your vehicle is
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted if
changin glanes take sto olon gor if th edistanc e
between your vehicle and th evehicle in fron t
becomes to osmall.
iWhe nyou chang elanes, DISTRONIC PLU S
monitors th elef tlan eon left-hand-drive vehi-
cles or th eright lan eon right-hand-driv evehi-
cles.
Stopping
GWARNING
Whe nleavin gth evehicle, eve nif it is brake d
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:
Rthere is amalfunction in th esyste mor in
th evoltage supply.
RDISTRONIC PLU Shas bee ndeactivated
wit hth ecruise contro llever, e.g. by avehi-
cl e occupant or from outsid eth evehicle.
Rth eelectrical system in th eengin ecom-
partment, th ebattery or th efuses hav e
bee ntampered with.
Rth ebattery is disconnected.
Rth eaccelerator peda lhas bee ndepressed,
e.g. by avehicle occupant .
There is aris kof an accident.
If you wish to exit th evehicle, always turn of f
DISTRONIC PLU Sand secure th evehicle
against rollin gaway.
Fo rfurther information on deactivatin g
DISTRONIC PLU S (
Ypage 158).
If DISTRONIC PLU Sdetects that th evehicle in
fron tis stopping, it brake syour vehicle until it is
stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remain ssta-
tionary and you do no tneed to depress th e
brake .
156Driving systems
Driving an d parking

Depending on the specified minimum distance,
your vehicle will come to a standstill at a suffi-
cient distance behind the vehicle in front. The
specified minimum distance is set using the
control on the cruise control lever.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to positionPif:
Rthe driver's door is open and the driver's seat
belt is unfastened.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
Setting a speed
XPress the cruise control lever up :for a
higher speed or down ;for a lower speed.
XTo adjust the set speed in 1 mph incre-
ments (1 km/h increments): briefly press
the cruise control lever up :or down ;to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up : or down ;, the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
XTo adjust the set speed in 5 mph incre-
ments (10 km/h increments): briefly press
the cruise control lever up :or down ;to
the pressure point.
Every time the cruise control lever is pressed
up : or down ;, the last speed stored is
increased or reduced.
iIf you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC
PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last
speed stored after you have finished overtak-
ing.
Setting a specified minimum distance
You can set the specified minimum distance for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in front,
dependent on vehicle speed. You can see this
distance in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 158).
iMake sure that you maintain a sufficient
distance to the vehicle in front and comply
with the minimum distance as required by
law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front
if necessary.
You can set the specified minimum distance for
DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. With this func-
tion, you can set the minimum distance that
DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in front,
dependent on vehicle speed. You can see this
distance in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 158).
XTo increase: turn control;in direction =.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front.
XTo decrease: turn control;in direction :.
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front.
Driving systems157
Driving and parking
Z

Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obstacles
or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detec-
ted vehicle turns a corner and reveals an obsta-cle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS will
not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect vehi-
cles that are crossing your lane. Activating
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with crossing
traffic, for example, could cause your vehicle to
pull away unintentionally.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot aids you in keeping the vehicle in
the center of the driving lane by means of mod-
erate steering interventions in the speed range
from 0 - 125 mph (0 - 200 km/ h).
It monitors the area in front of your vehicle by
means of multifunction camera :, at the top of
the windshield.
At speeds of 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h), Stop&Go Pilot focuses on the vehicle in front, taking into
account lane markings, e.g. when following vehi-
cles in a traffic jam.
At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h)
Steering Assist focuses on detected lane mark-
ings (left and right), and only on the vehicle in
front if lane markings are missing.
If these conditions are not present, Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot cannot provide assis-
tance.
DISTRONIC PLUS must be active in order for the
function to be available.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DISTRONIC
PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor
override the laws of physics. It cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot is only an aid. You are responsible
for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehi-
cle speed, for braking in good time and for stay-
ing in your lane.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot does not detect road and traffic
conditions. If you are following a vehicle which is
driving towards the edge of the road, your vehi-
160Driving systems
Driving and parking

cle could come into contact with the curb or
other road boundaries. Be particularly aware of
other road users, e.g. cyclists, that are directly
next to your vehicle.
Obstacles such as building site huts on the lane
or projecting out into the lane are not detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g. afterintentionally driving over a lane marking, can be
corrected at any time if you steer slightly in the
opposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot cannot continuously keep your
vehicle in lane. In some cases, the steering
intervention is not sufficient to bring the vehicle
back to the lane. In such cases, you must steerthe vehicle yourself to ensure that it does not
leave the lane.
The support provided by the system can be
impaired if:
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficient
illumination of the road, or due to snow, rain,
fog or spray
Rthere is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic, the
sun or reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if
the road surface is wet)
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicin-
ity of the camera
Rno, or several, unclear lane markings are pres-
ent for one lane, e.g. in a construction area
Rthe lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
ered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
Rthe distance to the vehicle in front is too small
and the lane markings thus cannot be detec-
ted
Rthe lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge
Rthe road is narrow and winding
Rthere are strong shadows cast on the road
The system is switched to passive and no longer
assists you by performing steering interventions if:
Ryou actively change lanes
Ryou switch on the turn signal
Rtake your hands off the steering wheel or do
not steer for a prolonged period of time
iAfter you have finished changing lanes,
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are auto-
matically active again. DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not pro-
vide assistance:
Ron very sharp corners
Rwhen a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (
Ypage 153).
The steering interventions are carried out with a
limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with
a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears in the multifunction display. If you have
still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel after five seconds at the
l
atest, a warning tone also sounds to remind you
to take control of the vehicle. Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot are switched to passive.
DISTRONIC PLUS remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot
XActivate the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot function using the
on-board computer (
Ypage 197).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant Onmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are active.
Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activa-
ted but not ready for a steering intervention,
steering wheel symbol :appears in gray. If the
system provides you with support by means of
steering interventions, symbol :is shown in
green.
Driving systems161
Driving and parking
Z

Deactivating Steering Assistand Stop&Go
Pilot
XDeactivat eth eDISTRONIC PLU Swit hSteer -
in g Assis tand Stop&Go Pilo tfunction usin g
th eon-boar dcomputer (
Ypage 197).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant Offmes-
sage appears in th emultifunction display.
Steerin gAssis tand Stop&Go Pilo tare deac -
tivated.
Whe nDISTRONIC PLU Sis deactivated or no t
available, Steerin gAssis tand Stop&Go Pilo tare
deactivated automatically.
HOL Dfunction
General notes
The HOLD function can assist th edriver in th e
following situations:
Rwhen pullin gaway, especially on steep slopes
Rwhen maneuverin gon steep slopes
Rwhen waitin gin traffic
The vehicl eis kept stationary without th edriver
havin gto depress th ebrak epedal.
The brakin geffec tis canceled and th eHOLD
function deactivated when you depress th e
accelerato rpeda lto pull away.
Important safet ynotes
GWARNIN G
Whe nleavin gth evehicle, it can still rol laway
despit ebein gbraked by th eHOLD function if:
Rthere is amalfunction in th esystem or in
th evoltag esupply.
Rth eHOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing th eaccelerato rpeda lor th ebrak e
pedal, e.g. by avehicl eoccupant .
Rtheelectrica lsystem in th eengin ecom-
partment, th ebattery or th efuses hav e
been tampered with.
Rth ebattery is disconnected
There is aris kof an accident.
If you wish to exit th evehicle, always tur nof f
th eHOLD function and secure th evehicl e
against rollin gaway.
!If DISTRONIC PLU Sor th eHOLD function is
activated, th evehicl ebrakes automatically in
certain situations.
To preven tdamage to th evehicle, deactivat e
DISTRONIC PLU Sand th eHOLD function in
th efollowing or other similar situations:
Rwhen towin gth evehicl e
Rin thecar wash
Activation conditions
You can activat eth eHOLD function if:
Rth evehicl eis stationary
Rth eengin eis running or if it has been auto-
matically switched of fby th eECO start/sto p
function
Rth edriver's doo ris closed or your seat belt is
fastene d
Rtheparkin gbrak eis release d
Rthetransmissio nis in position D,Ror N
RDISTRONIC PLU Sis deactivated
Activating th eHOL Dfunction
XMak esur ethat th eactivation condition sare
met .
XDepress th ebrak epedal.
XQuickl ydepress th ebrak epeda lfurther until
ë :appears in th emultifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th ebrak epedal.
iIf depressin gth ebrak epeda lth efirst time
doe sno tactivat eth eHOLD function ,wait
briefl yand then tr yagain .
Deactivating th eHOL Dfunction
The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
Ryou accelerate and th etransmissio nis in
position Dor R.
Ryou shift th etransmissio nto position P.
162Driving systems
Driving and parking