the lines in the assistance graphic
(Ypage 219) appear in green. Active Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use.
XTo deactivate: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. The Active Lane
Keeping Assist is deactivated. The Lane
Keeping Assist Offmessage appears on
the multifunction display.
Selecting Standard or Adaptive setting
XIn the DriveAssistmenu on the on-board
computer, select the Active Lane Keep‐
ing Assistfunction (Ypage 221).
XSelect settingStandardorAdaptive.
When Standardis selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if:
Ryou switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP®.
When Adaptive
is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if:
Ryou switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time.
Ra driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP®.
Ryou accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
Ryou brake hard.
Ryou steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or change lanes quickly.
Ryou cut the corner on a sharp bend.
In order that you are warned only when neces-
sary and in good time if you cross the lane mark-
ing, the system recognizes certain conditions
and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
Ryou approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
Rthe road has very wide lanes, e.g. a highway.
Rthe system detects solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
Rthe road has narrow lanes.
Ryou cut the corner on a bend.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical connection. This can be accomplished by checking the trailer
lighting.
Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Installing an unsuitable ball coupling may
result in overloading of the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle. This applies especially if the ball coupling in question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair the
driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and that
is designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle under "Technical
data" (
Ypage 371).
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi- cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
!If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may be
necessary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
The installation of a trailer tow hitch is only per-
missible if a towing weight is specified in your
vehicle documents. If this is not the case, then
the vehicle is not approved for the towing of a
trailer.
202Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking
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 278)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 278).
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.
204Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
XSwitch off the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XCouple up the trailer.
XEstablish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
XCheck that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
XPush the combination switch upwards/down-wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example:
RESP®
RPARKTRONIC
RActive Parking Assist
RActive Blind Spot Assist
RActive Lane Keeping Assist
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: if you couple
up a trailer, the vehicle always remains at high-
way level. Observe the following note when cou-
pling up a trailer:
RUnless highway level has been set manually,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to high-
way level. If a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) has
been reached, this may be the case.
These restrictions apply to accessories that are
supplied with power via the trailer socket in your
vehicle, e.g. a rear bicycle rack.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
RSafety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible.
RA separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
RSafety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature applies the
trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rat your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
To accumulate driving experience and accustom
yourself to the new handling characteristics,
practice the following at a location where there
is no traffic:
RCornering
RStopping
RBacking up
Check the following before the journey:
RTrailer tow hitch
RSafety switch for braked trailers
RSafety chains
RElectrical connections
RLighting system
RWheels and tires
RLoad securing
Adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a
clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with electronically con-
trolled brakes, pull away carefully in the car/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the brakes
function correctly.
Regularly check that the load is secure.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning circle
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
Towing a trailer205
Driving and parking
Z
When overtaking, pay particular attention to the
extended length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer combi-
nation, you require additional road space when
overtaking before you can change back to the
original lane.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on uphill or downhill gradients,
shift to a lower gear.
Driving in a lower gear and at a reduced speed
decreases the risk of engine damage.
If the coolant temperature increases signifi-
cantly when climate control is switched on,
switch climate control off.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by opening
the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the high-
est level.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XApply the vehicle's parking brake manually.
XShift the transmission to position j.
XClose all doors and the tailgate.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away.
XRemove the trailer cable.
XRemove the safety chains, if there are any.
XUncouple the trailer.
Removing the ball coupling
XObserve the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
XPress the protective cap into the ball coupling
recess.
XMake sure that the protective cap is firmly in
place.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 278)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 278).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch (
Ypage 316).
Trailer power supply
!
Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.
Permissible trailer loads and trailer
drawbar noseweights
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated as the
weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load
and the trailer's equipment.
206Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
XIf there is more than one number for a
particular name:press the6ora
button to display the numbers.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
number you want to dial.
XPress the 6ora button to start dialing.
or
XTo exit the telephone book: press the~
or % button briefly.
Redialing
The on-board computer saves the last names or
numbers dialed in the redial memory.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Telephonemenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress the 6button to switch to the redial
memory.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
desired name or number.
XPress the 6ora button to start dialing.
or
XTo exit the redial memory: press the~
or % button briefly.
Assistance graphic menu
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Assistance Graphic
menu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
The assistance graphic displays the status of
and information from the following driving
systems or driving safety systems:
RDistance display of DISTRONIC PLUS
(Ypage 168)
RTraffic Sign Assist (Ypage 193)
RDistance warning and the autonomous
braking function COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS (
Ypage 67)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 73)
RBlind Spot Assist (Ypage 193) or Active
Blind Spot Assist (Ypage 197)
RATTENTION ASSIST (Ypage 192)
RLane Keeping Assist (Ypage 195) or Active
Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 200)
RRear window wiper (Ypage 120)
XPress :to display the ATTENTION ASSIST
assessment.
Service menu
Introduction
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you have the following options in the
Service
menu:
Rcalling up display messages in message mem-
ory (Ypage 227)
Rrestarting the tire pressure loss warning sys-
tem (Canada only) (Ypage 343).
Rchecking the tire pressure electronically
(Ypage 345).
Rcalling up the service due date (Ypage 310).
Rdisplaying the DEF level and range
(Ypage 219).
Displaying the DEF level and range
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Servicemenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
Menus and submenus219
On-board computer and displays
Z
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE®
Brake
PRE‑S AF E®Brake is only available for vehicles
wit hth eDrivin gAssistanc epackage.
XPress th eò buttonon th esteering whee l
to open th emen ulist .
XPress th e: or9 buttonon th esteering
whee lto select th eSettingsmenu.
XConfir mby pressin ga on thesteering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select th eDriveAssistsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm .
XPress:or9 to select PRE-SAFEBrake.
XPressato confirm .
The curren tselection appears.
XTo act ivate/deact ivate:press th ea but-
to nagain .
When PRE-SAF E
®Brake is deactivated, th e
æ symbol appear sin th emultifunction dis-
play in th eAssistanc eGraphi c
menu.
Fo rmor einformation on PRE ‑SAFE
®Brake ,see
(Ypage 73).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot Assist
XPress theò buttonon th esteering whee l
to open th emen ulist .
XPress :or9 on thesteering whee lto
select th eSettingsmenu.
XConfir mby pressin ga on thesteering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select th eDriveAs‐sis tsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm .
XPress:or9 to select Blind Spo tAssist.
XPressato confirm .
The curren tselection appears.
XTo act ivate/deact ivate:press th ea but-
to nagain .
Fo rfurther information about Blin dSpo tAssist ,
see (
Ypage 193).
Fo rfurther information about Activ eBlin dSpo t
Assist ,see (
Ypage 197).
Setting ATTENTION ASSIST
XPress th eò buttonon th esteering whee l
to open th emen ulist .
XPress th e: or9 buttonon th esteering
whee lto select th eSettingsmenu.
XConfir mby pressin ga on thesteering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select th eDriveAssistsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm .
XPress:or9 to select ATTENTIONASSIST.
XPressato confirm .
XPress:or9 to select Off,Standardor Sensitive.
XPress th ea buttonto confirm th eselec-
tion.
When ATTENTI ONASSIST is deactivated, th e
é symbol appear sin th eAssistanc e
Graphicmenuin th emultifunction display.
Fo rfurther information about ATTENTI ON
ASSIST ,see (
Ypage 191).
Setting Lane Keeping Assist
XPress th eò buttonon th esteering whee l
to open th emen ulist .
XPress :or9 on thesteering whee lto
select th eSettingsmenu.
XConfir mby pressin ga on thesteering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select th eDriveAs‐sis tsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm .
XPress:or9 to select LaneKeepin gAssist.
XPressato confirm .
The curren tselection StandardorAdaptiveappears.
XTo change th esetting: pressaagain.
Fo rfurther information about Lan eKeepin g
Assist ,see (
Ypage 195).
Fo rfurther information about Activ eLan eKeep-
ing Assist ,see (
Ypage 200).
Menus and submenus221
On-board computer and displays
Z
Safety systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
!÷
Currently Unavaila‐ble See Operator'sManual
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and ESP®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) are temporarily not available.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunc-
tion.
In addition, the ÷and! warning lamps light up in the instru-
ment cluster.
For example, the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake
hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering move-
ments at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned above are available again.
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
!÷
Inoperative SeeOperator's Manual
ABS and ESP®are malfunctioning.
Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunc-
tion.
The $ (USA only) or J(Canada only), ÷and! warning
lamps in the instrument cluster may also light up.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake
hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affected.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
228Display messages
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
T!
÷
Inoperative SeeOperator'sManual
EB D(electronic brak eforce distribution), AB Sand ES P®are malfunc -
tioning .
Other drivin gsystems and drivin gsafet ysystems may also malfunc -
tion .
In addition ,th e÷ and! warning lamp sligh tup in th einstru-
men tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above. The fron tand rear wheels could therefor eloc k
if you brak ehard, for example.
The steerabilit yand braking characteristics may be severely affected.
The braking distanc ein an emergenc ybraking situation can increase.
If ES P
®is no toperational, ES P®is unable to stabiliz eth evehicle.
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand an accident.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Tur nOn the Igni‐
tio ntoReleas etheParkingBrake
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up.
You attempte dto release th eelectric parking brak ewhile th eignition
was switched off .
XSwitchon th eignition .
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Please
Releas ePark‐ing Brake
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and awarning tone sounds. Acondition for automatic release of th e
electric parking brak eis no tfulfilled (
Ypage 156).
You are drivin gwit hth eelectric parking brak eapplied.
XReleas eth eelectric parking brak emanually.
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes
and awarning tone sounds.
You are usin gth eelectric parking brak efor emergenc ybraking
(
Ypage 157).
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Parkin gBrake See
Operator' sManual
The yellow !warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brak eis malfunctioning .
To apply :
XSwitchth eignition off .
XPress theelectric parking brak ehandle for at least te nseconds.
XShift th etransmission to position j.
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop .
230Display messages
On-board computer and displays