In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk of
an accident if you fail to adapt your driving style
nor override the laws of physics. DISTRONIC
PLUS cannot take account of road, weather and traffic conditions. DISTRONIC PLUS is only an
aid. You are responsible for maintaining a safe
distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
Rin poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or
snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehicle
in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpectedly
accelerate the vehicle to the stored speed. This speed may:
Rbe too high if you are driving in a filter lane or
an exit lane
Rbe so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-cles driving on the left (left-hand drive coun-
tries)
Rbe so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right (in countries where
they drive on the left)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
:Activates or increases speed
;Activates or reduces speed
=Deactivates DISTRONIC PLUS
?Activates at the current speed/last stored
speed
ASets a specified minimum distance
When you activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the stored
speed appears in the multifunction display for
five seconds.
Speedometer with segments: when
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the segments
from the stored speed to the end of the scale or
to a permanently set speed limit light up.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions
To activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine must be started. It may take up to two minutes of driving before DISTRONIC
PLUS is ready for use.
Rthe electric parking brake must be released.
RESP®must be activated, but not intervening
at present.
160Driving systems
Driving and parking
RActive Parking Assist must not be activated.
Rthe transmission must be in positionh.
Rthe driver's door must be closed when you
shift the transmission from positionjtoh
or your seat belt must be fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door and rear doors must
be closed.
Rthe vehicle must not slide.
Activating
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?or push it up :or down ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC
PLUSSuspendedmes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
The set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in
front will then not be maintained. You will be
driving at the speed you determine by the
position of the accelerator pedal.
You can also activate DISTRONIC PLUS when
stationary. The lowest speed that can be set is
20 mph (30 km/h).
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?or push it up :or down ;.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Activating at the current speed/last
stored speed
GWARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle acceler-
ates or decelerates. If you do not know the
stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Pay attention to the road and traffic condi-
tions before calling up the stored speed. If you
do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.
XRemove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first time it
is activated, the current speed is stored. Oth- erwise, it sets the vehicle speed to the previ-
ously stored value.
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
Pulling away and driving
XIf you want to pull away with DISTRONIC
PLUS:
remove your foot from the brake pedal.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you?.
or
XAccelerate briefly.
The vehicle pulls away and adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front. If no vehicle is
detected in front, your vehicle accelerates to
the stored speed.
The vehicle can also pull away when it is facing
an unidentified obstacle or is driving on a differ- ent line from another vehicle. The vehicle then
brakes automatically.
If DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a vehicle in
front, the system operates like a cruise control.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is driving slower, your vehicle brakes. In
this way, the specified minimum distance you
have selected is maintained.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front is driving faster, your vehicle accelerates
to the stored speed.
Selects the drive program
DISTRONIC PLUS supports a sporty driving style
when you have selected the Sor S+ driving pro-
gram (
Ypage 139). Acceleration behind the
vehicle in front or to the set speed is then notice-
ably more dynamic. If you have selected the Cor
E driving program, the vehicle acce lera
tes more
gently. This setting is recommended in stop-
and-start traffic.
Changing lanes
DISTRONIC PLUS aids you when switching to
the overtaking lane, if:
Ryou are driving faster than 45 mph (70 km/h)
Ryou switch on the appropriate turn signal
RDISTRONIC PLUS does not currently detect a danger of a collision
If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle is
accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted if
changing lanes takes too long or if the distance
Driving systems161
Driving an d parking
Z
between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
becomes too small.
When you change lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS mon-
itors the left lane (on left-hand-drive vehicles) or
the right lane (on right-hand-drive vehicles).
Stopping
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:
Rthere is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
RDISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle.
Rthe electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
Rthe battery is disconnected.
Rthe accelerator pedal has been depressed, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
For further information on deactivating
DISTRONIC PLUS (
Ypage 164).
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in
front has stopped, it will cause your vehicle to
brake and come to a halt.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains sta-
tionary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
After a time, the electric parking brake secures
the vehicle and relieves the service brake.
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 position
j,
if:
Rthe driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open.
Rthe engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is insufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission may
also be shifted to position jautomatically.
Setting a speed
XPush 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 push
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 push
the cruise control lever up :or down ;
beyond 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 back to the
last speed stored after you have finished over-
taking.
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 maintains to the vehicle in
front, depending on the driving speed. You can
see this distance in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 163).
Make sure that you maintain the minimum dis-
tance to the vehicle in front as required by law.
162Driving systems
Driving and parking
Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if nec-
essary.
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.
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the instru-
ment cluster
Displays in the speedometer
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front,
the segments between the speed of the vehicle
in front :and stored speed ;light up.
Vehicles with the Driving Assistance Plus
package: the segments likewise light up if a
vehicle in front is detected in the fast lane.
For design reasons, the speed displayed in the
speedometer may differ slightly from the speed
set for DISTRONIC PLUS.
Displays in the assistance graphic
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deac-
tivated
:Vehicle in front, if detected
;Distance indicator, current distance to the
vehicle in front
=Specified minimum distance to the vehicle
in front; adjustable
?Own vehicle
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is activa-
ted
:DISTRONIC PLUS active (text only appears
when the cruise control lever is actuated)
;Vehicle in front, if detected
=Specified minimum distance to the vehicle
in front; adjustable
?Own vehicle
XTo call up the assistance graphic:select the
Assistance Graphic
function using the on-
board computer (Ypage 214).
The multifunction display will show the stored speed for about five seconds when you acti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS.
Driving systems163
Driving an d parking
Z
which the maximum permissible speed for vehi-
cle/trailer combinations is above 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison towhen driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
Shift to a lower gear on long and steep downhill
gradients.
This also applies to:
Ractivated DISTRONIC PLUS
Ractivated cruise control
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem 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
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe 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, decreases with increasing altitude.
Installing the ball coupling
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal- lation instructions. Make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
XPull protective cap :in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
XStow protective cap :so that it cannot be
thrown around.
XObserve the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 273)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 273).
Coupling up a trailer
!
Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the
towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake
manually.
XStart the engine.
XShift the transmission to position j.
XVehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: select
the Comfort drive program.
Towing a trailer199
Driving and parking
Z
aRIn all menus: confirms the selected
entry in the list
RIn theRadioorMediamenu:
opens the list of available radio
sources or media
RIn the Telephonemenu: switches
to the phone book and starts dial-
ing the selected number
ñRVehicles with multimedia system
Audio 20:
Switches off voice-operated con-
trol for navigation (see the manu-
facturer's operating instructions)
RVehicles with multimedia system
COMAND:
Switches off the Voice Control
System (see the separate operat-
ing instructions)
%Press briefly:
RBack
RIn the RadioorMediamenu: exits
the track or station list or list of
available radio sources or media
RHides display messages
RExits the phone book/redial mem-
ory
%Press and hold:
RCalls up the standard display in the
Tripmenu
Right control panel
~RRejects or ends a call
RExits the phone book/redial mem-
ory
6RMakes or accepts a call
RSwitches to the redial memory
W
XRAdjusts the volume
8RMute
óRVehicles with multimedia system
Audio 20:
Switches on voice-operated con-
trol for navigation (see the manu-
facturer's operating instructions)
RVehicles with multimedia system
COMAND:
Switches on the Voice Control Sys-
tem (see the separate operating
instructions)
Multifunction display
:Drive program (Ypage 137)
;Transmission position (Ypage 138)
=Additional speedometer
?Display
ATime
BOutside temperature (Ypage 204)
Display panel ?shows the selected menu or
submenu and display messages.
XTo open the menu list: press theòbut-
ton on the steering wheel.
Display panel ?appears in the menu list.
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play:
RZ Gearshift recommendation, when shifting
manually (Ypage 142)
Rj Active Parking Assist (Ypage 173)
R¯ Cruise control (Ypage 157)
Displays and operation205
On-board computer and displays
Z
RaDISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot (Ypage 164)
R_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Ypage 110)
Rè ECO start/stop function (Ypage 131)
RëHOLD function (Ypage 166)
Head-up display
General notes
The head-up display projects information from
the navigation system and the driver assistance
system above the dashboard into the driver's
field of vision. The head-up display allows the
driver to see all of the information without hav-
ing to take their eyes off the road.
A requirement for the display of the contents is that the following functions are available in the
vehicle and are switched on:
RCruise control
RDISTRONIC PLUS
RTraffic Sign Assist
RNavigation
Important safety notes
The head-up display is only an aid and is not a
substitute for attentive driving.
The visibility of the head-up display is influencedby the following conditions:
Rthe driver's seat position
Rthe positioning of the display image
Rthe general ambient light
Rsunglasses with polarization filters
Rwet roads
Rblocking of sunlight by objects on the display
cover
In the event of extreme sunlight, sections of the
display may fade. This can be reversed by
switching the head-up display off and on again.
iVehicles with the head-up display are equip-
ped with a special windshield. Should repairs
be necessary, have the windshield replaced at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Displays and operation
Switching the head-up display on/off
XPress button :.
When the head-up display is switched on, the display appears in the driver's field of vision.
Standard displays in the head-up display
:Navigation messages
;Current speed
=Detected traffic signs
?Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS set
speed
206Displays an doperation
On-boa rd computer and displays
shows the cone of light and theWsymbol
in yellow.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on daytime running
lampsDaytime
RunningLights(Ypage 108).
Instrument cluster submenu
Selecting the distance unit
The DisplayUnitSpeed-/Odometerfunction
allows you to choose whether certain displays
appear in kilometers or miles in the multifunc-
tion display.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the InstrumentClustersubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select the DisplayUnit Speed-/Odometerfunction.
The current setting kmorMilesappears.
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 with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot
RASSYST PLUS service interval display
Switching the additional speedometer
on/off
If the additional speedometer is switched on,
the speed is shown in the status bar in the mul-
tifunction display instead of the outside tem-
perature.
The speed display is inverse to the speedome-
ter.
XPress theòbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the InstrumentClustersubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XUsing :or9, select the AdditionalSpeedometer [km/h]function.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
Restoring the factory settings
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the FactorySettingssubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
The Reset All Settings?function
appears.
XPress :or9 to select NoorYes.
XPress ato confirm the selection.
If you have selected Yes, the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
For safety reasons, the Daytime Running
Lightsfunction in theLightssubmenu is only
reset when the vehicle is stationary.
218Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays