Ball couplingInstalling ........................................ 201
Removing ....................................... 205
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 61
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 74
Important safety notes .................... 74
Replacing ......................................... 74
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 313
Display message ............................ 235
Important safety notes .................. 311
Jump starting ................................. 313
Overview ........................................ 311
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 214
Display message ............................ 240
Notes/function .............................. 191
Trailer towing ................................. 193
see Active Blind Spot Assist
Blootooth
®
Connecting a different mobile
phone ............................................ 268
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 142
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 355
Bluetooth
®
Searching for a mobile phone ........ 267
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 263
Telephony ...................................... 266
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 227
Notes ............................................. 356
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 233
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 63
BAS .................................................. 61
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 356
Display message ............................ 222
Hill start assist ............................... 128
Important safety notes .................. 150 Maintenance .................................. 151
Parking brake ................................ 146
Riding tips ...................................... 150
Warning lamp ................................. 252
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 306
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 33
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 25
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Care
360° camera ................................. 303
Car wash ........................................ 299
Carpets .......................................... 305
Display ........................................... 304
Exhaust pipe .................................. 303
Exterior lights ................................ 302
Gear or selector lever .................... 304
Interior ........................................... 304
Matte finish ................................... 301
Notes ............................................. 299
Paint .............................................. 301
Plastic trim .................................... 304
Power washer ................................ 300
Rear view camera .......................... 303
Roof lining ...................................... 305
Seat belt ........................................ 305
Seat cover ..................................... 305
Sensors ......................................... 303
Side running board ........................ 302
Steering wheel ............................... 304
Trim pieces .................................... 305
Washing by hand ........................... 300
Wheels ........................................... 301
Windows ........................................ 302
Wiper blades .................................. 302
Wooden trim .................................. 305
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 273
6Index
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) .......................................71
Control panel .................................. .38
Display message ............................ 248
Emergency locking ........................... 78
Emergency unlocking ....................... 78
Important safety notes .................... 77
Opening (from inside) ...................... 77
Overview .......................................... 77
Power closing .................................. 78
Drinking and driving ......................... 149
Drive program
Automatic transmission ................. 135
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 218
Drive programs
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 134
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving
Important safety notes .................. 124
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 299
Driving Assistance PLUS package ... 194
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angle ............ 156
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety system
Active Brake Assist .......................... 62
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 61
Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function ................................. 67
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 67
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 63
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 61
Distance warning function ............... 62
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 66
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 64
Important safety information ........... 60
Overview .......................................... 60
STEER CONTROL ............................. 69
Driving system
ADS PLUS ...................................... 170 AIRMATIC package ........................ 169
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 159
Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC w
ith
Steering Pilot ................................. 165
Parking assist PARKTRONIC .......... 174
Parking Pilot .................................. 177
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 185
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 194
Active Curve System ...................... 171
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 197
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 173
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 189
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 191
Cruise control ................................ 157
Display message ............................ 238
Driving Assistance Plus package ... 194
HOLD function ............................... 167
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 193
Rear view camera .......................... 181
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 190
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 135
Brakes ........................................... 150
Break-in period .............................. 124
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 165
Downhill gradient ........................... 150
Drinking and driving ....................... 149
Driving in winter ............................. 153
Driving on flooded roads ................ 152
Driving on sand .............................. 155
Driving on wet roads ...................... 152
Driving over obstacles ................... 156
Exhaust check ............................... 149
Fuel ................................................ 148
General .......................................... 148
Hydroplaning ................................. 152
Icy road surfaces ........................... 153
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 151
Off-road driving .............................. 154
Off-road fording ............................. 152
Snow chains .................................. 323
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 124
Tire ruts ......................................... 155
Towing a trailer .............................. 200
Traveling uphill ............................... 156
Index9
Restraintsystem warnin glamp ........ 40
Seat belt .......................................... 40
OCS
Condition s...................................... .47
Faults ............................................... 50
Operation ......................................... 47
System self-test ............................... 49
Odometer ........................................... 209
Off-road driving
Approach/departure angle ............ 360
Checklist after driving off-road ...... 155
Checklist before driving off-road .... 155
Fording depth ................................ 359
General information ....................... 154
Important safety notes .................. 153
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 360
Traveling uphill ............................... 156
Off-road system
4MATIC .......................................... 168
DSR ............................................... 168
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 218
Assistance menu ........................... 213
Audio menu ................................... 211
Convenience submenu .................. 217
Display messages .......................... 220
Displaying a service message ........ 298
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ............. 164
Factory settings submenu ............. 217
Important safety notes .................. 206
Instrument cluster submenu .......... 215
Lighting submenu .......................... 216
Menu overview .............................. 209
Message memory .......................... 221
Navigation menu ............................ 210
Operation ....................................... 207
RACETIMER ................................... 218
Settings menu ............................... 215
Standard display ............................ 209
Telephone menu ............................ 212
Trip menu ...................................... 209
Vehicle submenu ........................... 216
Video DVD operation ..................... 212
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 27 Important safety notes .................... 27
Operating system
see On-board computer
Operator's Manual
Overview .......................................... 25
Vehicle equipment ........................... 25
O
utside temperature display ........... 206
Overhead control panel ...................... 37
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 60
P
Paddle shifterssee Steering wheel paddle shifters
Paint code number ............................ 351
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 301
Panic alarm .......................................... 39
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel
Important safety notes .................... 86
Operating ......................................... 87
Operating the roller sunblinds for
the sliding sunroof ........................... 88
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 89
Rain closing feature ......................... 88
Reversing feature ............................. 87
Parcel shelf ........................................ 275
Parking
Important safety notes .................. 145
Parking brake ................................ 146
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 101
Rear view camera .......................... 181
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Parking Pilot .................................. 177
see 360° camera
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 176
Driving system ............................... 174
Function/notes ............................. 174
Important safety notes .................. 174
Problems (malfunctions) ................ 177
Sensor range ................................. 174
Towing a trailer .............................. 174
Index15
No steering assistance is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if:
RESP®is deactivated
RESP®is malfunctioning
Rthe steering is malfunctioning
If ESP®is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been
left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds.
XTo deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Ra door
Rthe vehicle with the mechanical key
Rthe tailgate
Rthe hood
XTo switch the alarm off with the Smart-
Key: press the %or& button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
XTo stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress the Start/Stop button on the dash-
board. The SmartKey must be inside the vehi- cle.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.
iIf the alarm continues for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call sys-
tem automatically notifies the Customer
Assistance Center. This is done either by text message or data connection. The emergency
call system sends the message or data provi-
ded that:
Ryou have subscribed to the mbrace service.
Rthe mbrace service has been activated
properly.
Rthe necessary mobile phone network is
available.
70Protection against theft
Safety
ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission toN
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push
it or tow it.
If ESP
®is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position Nif the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position Ror D, the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
!Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train.
7Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shifting
behavior is determined by:
Rthe selected drive program
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
Rlittle throttle: early upshifts
Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R, move
the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down past the
point of resistance.
Towing a trailer
XDrive in the middle of the engine speed range
on uphill gradients.
XDepending on the uphill or downhill gradient,
use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (
Ypage 136) to select a lower gear,
even if cruise control or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC are activated.
Drive programs
Slippery drive program
The Slippery drive program has the following
characteristics:
Rreduced engine and transmission settings for
optimum propulsion on slippery or snow-cov-
ered roads.
Roptimized ESP®stability control on slippery or
snow-covered roads.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability on
slippery or snow-covered roads, for example.
Automatic transmission135
Driving an d parking
Z
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-gency by using the electric parking brake.
XWhile driving, push handle :of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle is braked for as long as the handle
of the electric parking brake is pressed. The
longer the electric parking brake handle is
depressed, the greater the braking force.
During braking:
Ra warning tone sounds
Rthe ReleasePark.Brakemessage appears
Rthe red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit the driver from using a mobile phone while
driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers a
distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m)per sec-
ond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof carriers when they are not nee-
ded.
XWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
XHave all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the Main-
148Driving tips
Driving and parking
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
(
Ypage 361). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the permissi-
ble maximum speed for vehicle/trailer combi-
nations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
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 can come loose during the
journey and endanger other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
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.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 270)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 270).
Towing a trailer201
Driving and parking
Z
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®
RParking Assist PARKTRONIC
RParking Pilot
RActive Blind Spot Assist
RActive Lane Keeping Assist
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following:
RIf the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
RThe Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (wi
dth 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 switch applies the
trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric- tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location:
-cornering
-stopping
-backing up
RBefore driving, check:
-trailer tow hitch
-safety switch for braked trailers
-safety chains
-electrical connections
-lights
-wheels
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly.
RSecure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion.
RWhen you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra
iler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
Towing a trailer203
Driving an d parking
Z