R
darkness R
or if: -
pedestrians move quickly, e.g. into the path
of the vehicle -
the camera system no longer recognizes a
pedestrian as a person due to special cloth-
ing or other objects -
a pedestrian is concealed by other objects -
the typical outline of a pedestrian is not
distinguishable from the background
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at slow
speeds where there is no visible damage to the
front of the vehicle.
Following damage to the windshield, have the
configuration and operation of the camera sys-
tem checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Function X
To activate/deactivate: activate or deacti-
vate PRE-SAFE ®
Brake in the on-board com-
puter ( Y
page 221).
If the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is not activated, the
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes The sensor system of some driving and driving
safety systems adjusts automatically while a
certain distance is being driven after the vehicle
has been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of this
teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its per-
formance in the future. R
You should therefore drive at varying vehicle
and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles
(1500 km). R
Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle,
during this period. R
When changing gears manually, change up in
good time, before the tachometer needle rea-
ches
DISTRONI C PLUS
General notes DISTRONIC PLU S regulates th e speed and auto-
matically helps you maintain th e distanc e from
th e vehicle detecte d in front. Vehicles are detec -
te d wit h th e aid of th e radar sensor system.
DISTRONIC PLU S brake s automatically so that
th e set speed is no t exceeded.
Change into a lowe r gear in goo d time on lon g
and steep downhill gradients. Thi s is especially
important if th e vehicle is laden. By doin g so, you
will mak e use of th e braking effect of th e engine.
Thi s relieves th e load on th e brake syste m and
prevents th e brake s from overheatin g and wear -
in g to o quickly.
If DISTRONIC PLU S detects that there is a ris k of
a collision , you will be warned visually and
acoustically. DISTRONIC PLU S canno t preven t a
collision without your intervention . An intermit -
tent warnin g tone will then soun d and th e dis -
tanc e warnin g lamp will ligh t up in th e instru-
men t cluster. Brak e immediately in order to
increase th e distanc e to th e vehicle in fron t or
take evasiv e action provided it is saf e to do so.
DISTRONIC PLU S operates in th e speed range
between 0 mph (0 km/ h) an d 120 mph
(200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS whil e driving on
roa ds 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.
i USA 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.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
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-
approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: R
people or animals R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles R
oncoming 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.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly iden-
tify other road users and complex traffic sit-
uations.
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: R
give an unnecessary warning and then
brake the vehicle R
neither give a warning nor intervene R
accelerate or brake unexpectedly
There is a risk of an accident.
Continue to drive carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DISTRONIC PLUS.
G WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up
to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is
a risk of an accident.164
Driving systems
Driving and parking
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: R
when towing the vehicle R
in 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: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
in 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: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there 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: R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane or
an exit lane R
be so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the left (left-hand drive coun-
tries) R
be 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
C
Activates or increases speed D
Activates or reduces speed
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. Make sure that there are no persons,
animals or objects in the maneuvering area
while maneuvering and parking in/leaving park-
ing spaces.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC
does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC
to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
! Remove the detachable ball coupling if the
trailer tow hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC
measures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you: R
switch on the ignition R
shift the transmission to position [ , ^ or
\\
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/ h) . It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are: R
below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects. R
above the detection range, for example over-
hanging loads, truck overhangs or loading
ramps. C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
C
Approx. 24 in (approx. 60 cm) (corners) D
Approx. 32 in (approx. 80 cm) (corners)