
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-skid chains
see Snow chains
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anticipatory occupant protection
see PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory
occupant protection)
Approach/departure angle .............. 175
Aquaplaning ...................................... .172
Ashtray ............................................... 298
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .226
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .226
ASSYST PLUS
Displaying a service message ....... .307
Driving abroad ............................... 307
Hiding a service message .............. 307
Information about Service ............. 307
Resetting the service interval dis-
pla y................................................ 307
Service message ............................ 306
Special service requirements ......... 307
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 76
Function ........................................... 76
Switching off the alarm .................... 76
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 227
Display message ............................ 252
Function/note s............................. 206
Audio 20
Driving dynamics display ............... 192
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 223
Authorised workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 248
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 149
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 148 Automatic front-passenger front
airbag deactivation
Display message ............................ 244
Automatic front-passenger front
airbag deactivation system
Operation ......................................... 49
Problems ......................................... 53
System self-test ............................... 52
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 116
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 158
Changing gear ............................... 158
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 155
Drive program display .................... 155
Drive programs .............................. 159
Driving tip s.................................... 158
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi- cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 151
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 152
Emergency running mode .............. 163
Engaging drive position .................. 156
Engaging neutral ............................ 156
Engaging park position
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 157
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 155
Engaging reverse gear ................... 156
Engaging the park position ............ 155
Gliding mod e................................. 159
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients .............................. 158
Kickdown ....................................... 158
Manual shifting .............................. 161
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 231
Overview ........................................ 154
Problem (fault) ............................... 163
Pulling away ................................... 146
Selector lever ................................ 156
Starting the engine ........................ 146
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 161
Trailer towing ................................. 159
Transmission position display ........ 157
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECT lever) ................... 155
Transmission positions .................. 157 Index
5

BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 69
Distance warning function ............... 69
ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 72
Important safety guidelines ............. 68
Overview .......................................... 68
Driving system
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 180
DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL ............ 191
Parking assist PARKTRONIC .......... 193
Parking Pilot .................................. 196
RACE START (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles) ........................................ 188
Speed limiter ................................. 178
Start-off assis t............................... 187
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 204
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports sus-
pension .......................................... 189
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 206
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 209
Cruise control ................................ 176
Display message ............................ 252
HOLD function ............................... 186
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 210
Lane package ................................ 209
Reversing camera .......................... 200
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 207
Driving tips
Aquaplaning ................................... 172
Automatic transmission ................. 158
Brakes ........................................... 170
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 186
Downhill gradient ........................... 171
Driving abroad ............................... 116
Driving in winter ............................. 172
Driving on flooded roads ................ 172
Driving on sand .............................. 175
Driving on wet roads ...................... 172
Fuel ................................................ 169
General .......................................... 169
Icy road surfaces ........................... 172
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 171
New brake pads/linings ................ 171
Off-road driving .............................. 173
Running-in tip s............................... 143
Snow chains .................................. 337 Symmetrical dipped beam ............. 116
The first 1500 km .......................... 143
Towing a trailer .............................. 213
Travelling uphill .............................. 175
Tyre ruts ........................................ 175
Wet road surface ........................... 171
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 252
Function/note s............................. 190
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 224
See also Digital Owner's Manua l... 277
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) .................................................... 151
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................. 152
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Climate control (air conditioning) .. 130
Climate control
(THERMOTRONIC) .......................... 131 E
EASY-PACK tailgate see Tailgate
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 237
Function/note s................................ 75
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 169
On-board computer ....................... 221
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating ................. 149
General information ....................... 148
Important safety notes .................. 148
Introduction ................................... 148
Electromagnetic compatibility
Declaration of conformity ................ 27
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 56
Emergency braking
see BAS (Brake Assist System) 10
Index

Folding the backrest (rear com-
partment) forwards/back .............. 292
Seat belt
Correct usage .................................. 44
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 231
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat bel t......................... 45
Adjusting the height ......................... 45
Cleaning ......................................... 313
Display message ............................ 242
Fastening ......................................... 45
Important safety guidelines ............. 43
Introduction ..................................... 43
Rear seat belt status indicator ......... 46
Releasing ......................................... 45
Warning lamp ................................. 265
Warning lamp (function) ................... 46
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 108
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 107
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port ................................................ 110
Adjusting the head restraint .......... 108
Cleaning the cover ......................... 313
Important safety notes .................. 106
Seat heating problem .................... 111
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 115
Switching seat heating on/of f....... 110
Securing a load .................................. 293
Securing luggage ............................... 293
Selecting a gear
see Automatic transmission
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 313
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 311
Service Centre
see Qualified specialist workshop
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 228
Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 356
Coolant (engine) ............................ 356
Engine oil ....................................... 355 Fuel ................................................ 352
Important safety notes .................. 352
Washer fluid ................................... 357
Setting a speed
see Cruise control
Setting the air distribution ............... 133
Setting the airflow ............................ 134
Setting the date/time format
See also Digital Owner's Manua l... 277
Setting the language
See also Digital Owner's Manua l... 277
Setting the time
See also Digital Owner's Manua l... 277
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 231
On-board computer ....................... 228
SETUP (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .................. 232
Shifting to neutral (manual trans-
mission) ............................................. 153
Side lamps
Switching on/of f........................... 117
Side windows
Convenience closing ........................ 99
Convenience opening ...................... 98
Important safety notes .................... 97
Opening/closing .............................. 98
Problem (malfunction) ................... 100
Resetting ....................................... 100
Reversing feature ............................. 98
Sidebag ................................................ 48
SIM card
Inserting ........................................ 284
Sliding sunroof
see Panorama sliding sunroof
SMS
See also Digital Owner's Manua l... 277
Snow chains ...................................... 337
Socket
Luggage compartment ................... 299
Sockets
Centre console .............................. 299
General notes ................................ 299
Rear compartment ......................... 299
Sound
Switching on/of f........................... 278 Index
19

Important safety notes .................. 334
Information on driving .................... 334
Removing a wheel
.......................... 345
Storing ........................................... 343
Tightening torque ........................... 346
Wheel size/tyre size ...................... 347
Wheels and tyres
Changing a whee l.......................... 343
Windowbag
Display message ............................ 243
Operation ......................................... 49
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 310
see Side windows
Windscreen
Demisting ...................................... 134
Windscreen washer fluid
see Windscreen washer system
Windscreen washer system
Important safety notes .................. 357
Topping up ..................................... 306
Windscreen wipers
Display message ............................ 263
Problem (malfunction) ................... 127
Rear window wipe r........................ 124
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 125
Switching on/of f........................... 124
Winter driving
General notes ................................ 336
Winter operation
Slippery road surfaces ................... 172
Snow chains .................................. 337
Winter tyres
Limiting the speed (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 229
M+S tyres ...................................... 336
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 310
Important safety notes .................. 125
Replacing (on the rear window )..... 126
Wooden trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 313
Workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop Z
ZONE function Switching on/of f........................... 134 24
Index

Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 68)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 69)
R Active Brake Assist (Y page 69)
R Adaptive brake lights (Y page 71)
R ESP ®
(E lectronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 72)
R EBD (electronic brake forcedistribution)
(Y page 75)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 75)
R STEER CONTROL (Y page 75)Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described work as
effectively as possible only when there is ade-
quate contact between the tyres and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tyres, recommended minimum tyre
tread depths etc. (Y page 335).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as effec-
tively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when braking. The
! ABS warning lamp on the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h,
regardless of road-surface conditions. ABS
works on slippery surfaces, even when you
brake only gently.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid- ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems, includ-
ing driving safety systems, will also become
inoperative. Observe the information on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 267) and display mes-
sages that may be shown on the instrument
cluster (Y page 235).
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions; this serves as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y
page 192).
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels lock
cyclically during braking. The digging-in effect
achieved in the process reduces the stopping 68
Driving safety syste
msSafety

Activating/deactivating ESP
®
(except
Mercedes ‑AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68).
You can select between the following ESP ®
sta-
tuses:
R ESP ®
is activated
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the follow-
ing situations:
R when snow chains are used
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
You can deactivate or activate ESP ®
via the on-
board computer(Y page 227) .
ESP ®
deactivated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp on the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
ESP ®
activated:
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp on the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle. If you deactivate ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels may start to spin
R traction control is still activated
R Active Brake Assist is not available; it is not
activated even if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP ®
R PRE-SAFE ®
is not available; it is not activated
even if you brake firmly with assistance from
ESP ®
R STEER CONTROL is no longer active
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(Mercedes ‑AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 68).
You can select between the following ESP ®
sta-
tuses:
R ESP ®
is activated
R SPORT handling mode is activated
R ESP ®
is deactivated
ESP ®
is activated every time the engine is star-
ted, regardless of whether ESP ®
was deactiva-
ted before the engine was switched off. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit- uations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following. Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when snow chains are used
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires a highly qualified and experi-
enced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode SPORT handling mode message appears in
the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button
:.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster goes out.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press button :until
the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷ OFF
OFF message appears in the multi-
function display.
X To activate ESP ®
:briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp on the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ESP® ON
ON message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics when SPORT handling
mode is activated
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warn-
ing lamp on the instrument cluster flashes. In
such situations, ESP ®
will stabilise the vehicle
only to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
improves driving stability only to a limi-
ted degree
R traction control is still activated
R the engine's torque is only restricted to a limi-
ted degree and the drive wheels may start to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for better traction on loose surfaces.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels may start to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
R traction control is still activated
R Active Brake Assist is no longer available; it is
not activated even if you brake firmly with
assistance from ESP ®
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; it is not
activated even if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP ®
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 192).74
Driving safety systemsSafety

Driving on wet roads
Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of aquaplan- ing occurring, even if:
R you are driving at low speeds
R the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, drive in the following manner in the event of heavy rain or in conditions in which
aquaplaning can occur:
R lower your speed
R avoid tyre ruts
R avoid sudden steering movements
R brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads !
Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in front
or in the opposite direction create waves. This may cause the maximum permissible water
depth to be exceeded.
These notes must be observed under all cir-
cumstances. You could otherwise damage
the engine, the electronics or the transmis-
sion.
If you must drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that:
R in the case of standing water, the water level
must be no higher than the lower edge of the
vehicle body
R you should drive no faster than walking pace Winter driving
G
WARNING
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.
This increases the risk of skidding and having
an accident.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
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 winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration,
steering and braking manoeuvres. Do not use
cruise control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Vehicles with manual transmission: shift
to neutral.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control by using
corrective steering.
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.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Further information on driving with snow chains
(Y page 337).
Further information on driving with summer
tyres (Y page 336).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion (Y page 336). 172
Driving tipsDriving and pa
rking