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 276)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 276).
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.
202Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
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 276)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
(
Ypage 276).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch (
Ypage 313).
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.
204Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipmen tintegrate din th evehi-
cle when driving ,you may be distracte dfrom
th etraffic situation .You could also lose con-
trol of th evehicle. Ther eis aris kof an acci-
dent.
Only operate this equipmen twhen th etraffic
situation permits. If you are no tsur ethat this
is possible ,park th evehicl epayin gattention
to traffic condition sand operate th eequip-
men twhen th evehicl eis stationary.
You must observ eth elegal requirements for th e
country in whic hyou are currentl ydriving when
operating th eon-board computer.
GWARNIN G
If th einstrumen tcluste rhas faile dor mal-
functioned, you may no trecognize function
restriction sin systems relevan tto safety. The
operating safet yof your vehicl emay be
impaired .Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Drive on carefully. Hav eth evehicl echecke d
at aqualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If th eoperating safet yof your vehicl eis
impaired ,pull ove ras soo nas it is saf eto do so.
Contac t aqualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows message sor
warning sfrom certain systems in th emultifunc-
tion display. You should therefor emak esur e
your vehicl eis operating safely at all times .
Fo ran overview, see th einstrumen tpanel illus-
tration (
Ypage 36).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in th einstrumen tcluster, in th edis-
plays and th econtrol sin th evehicl einterior can
be adjusted usin gbrightness control knob :.
XTurn brightness control knob :up or down .
If you tur nth eligh tswitch (Ypage 108) to th e
T, ÃorL position ,th ebrightness
will depend upon th ebrightness of th eambi -
en tlight.
iThe ligh tsensor in th einstrumen tcluste r
automatically control sth ebrightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight, th edisplays in th einstrumen t
cluste rare illuminated. Adimming function is
no tpossible in daylight.
Speedometer with segments
The speedometer is divided int osegments
depending on th eequipment.
The segments in th espeedometer indicat e
whic hspee drange is available.
RCruis econtrol activated (Ypage 159):
The segments ligh tup from th estore dspee d
to th een dof th escale.
RDistanc ePilot DISTRONI Cis activated
(Ypage 162):
On eor two segments in th eset spee drange
ligh tup.
RDistanc ePilot DISTRONI Cdetects avehicl ein
fron tmoving mor eslowly than th estore d
speed:
The segments between th espee dof th evehi-
cle in fron tand th estore dspee dligh tup.
206Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays
Tachometer
!
Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display (
Ypage 208).
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Coolant temperature gage
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
!If the coolant temperature is too high, a dis-
play message is shown.
If the coolant temperature display is in the
area marked in red, do not continue driving.
Otherwise, the engine will be damaged.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the lower
section of the tachometer (
Ypage 36).
Under normal operating conditions and at the
correct coolant level, the display may rise to the
red mark.
Operating the on-board computer
:Multifunction display
;Right control panel
=Left control panel
XTo activate the on-board computer: switch
on the power supply.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using the
buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
Left control panel
òROpens a menu list
9
:Press briefly:
RScrolls in lists
RSelects a menu or function
RIn the RadioorMediamenu:
opens a track or station list and
selects a station, an audio track or
a video scene.
RIn the Telephonemenu: switches
to the phone book and selects a
name or a telephone number
9
:Press and hold:
RScrolls quickly through all lists
RIn the RadioorMediamenu:
selects a station, audio track or
video scene using rapid scrolling
RIn the Telephonemenu: starts
rapid scrolling if the phone book is
open
Displays an doperation207
On-boa rd computer and displays
Z
XTo select a DVD drive or DVD media:press
a briefly. The list containing the media
sources appears.
XPress :or9 to select the correspond-
ing DVD single drive or disc.
XPress ato confirm.
XTo open the scene list: press the:or
9 button briefly.
XTo select the next or previous scene in the
scene list: press the:or9 button
briefly.
XTo select a scene from the scene list using
rapid scrolling: press and hold:or9
until desired scene :is reached.
XPress ato confirm your selection.
Telephone menu
Introduction
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle when driving, you may be distracted from
the traffic situation. You could also lose con-
trol of the vehicle. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Only operate this equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
When telephoning, you must observe the legal
requirements for the country in which you are
currently driving.
XSwitch on the mobile phone (see the manu-
facturer’s operating instructions).
XSwitch on the multimedia system.
XEstablish a Bluetooth®connection to the mul-
timedia system (see the Digital Operator's
Manual).
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Telephonemenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel. You will see one of the following display mes-
sages in the multifunction display:
RPhone READYor the name of the network
provider: the mobile phone has found a net-
work and is ready to receive.
RPhone No Service: there is no network
available or the mobile phone is searching for a network.
Accepting a call
If someone calls you when you are in the Tele‐phonemenu, a display message appears in the
multifunction display.
You can accept a call at any time regardless of
the menu selected.
XPress the 6button on the steering wheel
to accept an incoming call.
Rejecting or ending a call
XPress the ~button on the steering wheel
to reject or end a call.
Selecting an entry in the phone book
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 :or9 ora button to
switch to the phone book.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
names one after the other.
or
XTo start rapid scrolling: press and hold:
or 9 for longer than one second.
The names are displayed quickly one after the
other in the phone book.
If you press and hold the :or9 button
for longer than five seconds, the name with
the next or previous initial letter in the alpha-
bet appears.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the
button or reach the end of the list.
XIf only one telephone number is stored for
a name: press the 6ora button to
start dialing.
or
216Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays
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 Pilot DISTRONIC distance display
(Ypage 165)
RTraffic Sign Assist (Ypage 191)
RDistance warning function and autono-
mous brake function of Active Brake Assist (
Ypage 66)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion (Ypage 72)
RBlind Spot Assist (Ypage 191) or Active
Blind Spot Assist (Ypage 195)
RATTENTION ASSIST (Ypage 190)
RLane Keeping Assist (Ypage 193) or Active
Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 198)
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 225)
Rrestarting the tire pressure loss warning sys-
tem (Canada only) (Ypage 340).
Rchecking the tire pressure electronically
(Ypage 342).
Rcalling up the service due date (Ypage 307).
Settings menu
Introduction
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you have the following options in the
Settings
menu:
RChanging assistance settings (Ypage 218).
RChanging head-up display settings
(Ypage 219).
RChanging the light settings (Ypage 220).
Menus and submenus217
On-board computer and displays
Z
RChanging the instrument cluster settings
(Ypage 220).
RRestoring the factory settings (Ypage 221).
Assistance submenu
Traffic Sign Assist
You can activate or deactivate the warning func-
tion of Traffic Sign Assist inthe TrafficSignAssistmenu. When the function isactivated,
detected traff icsigns and information appear in
the multifunction display for five seconds.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirmbypressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select the DriveAs‐sistsubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select TrafficSignAssist.
XPressato confirm.
The current selection appears.
XActivate ordeactivate the warning func-
tion: press aagain.
For further information about Traffic Sign Assist,
see (
Ypage 191).
Activating/deactivating Active Brake
Assist
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirmbypressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the DriveAssistsubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XSelect Brake Assistbypressing 9
or :.
XPress ato confirm.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: pressaagain.
When Active Brake Assist isdeactivate d,the
æ symbol appears on the Assistance
Graphicmenu of the multifunction display. Further information on Active Brake Assist
(
Ypage 66).
Activating or deactivating Active Brake
Assist with cross-traffic function
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is
availab
leonly invehicles with the Dr iving Assis-
tance package.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirmbypressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the DriveAssistsubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XSelect Brake Assistbypressing :or
9.
XPress ato confirm.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
When Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function isdeactivate d,the æ symbol
appears on the Assistance Graphic
menu
of the multifunction display.
Further information about Active Brake Assist
wit h cross-traffic function (
Ypage 72).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot Assist
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select the DriveAs‐sistsubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select Blind SpotAssist.
XPressato confirm.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
For further information about Blind Spot Assist,
see (
Ypage 191).
For further information about Active Blind Spot
Assist, see (
Ypage 195).
218Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays
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.
226Display messages
On-board computer and displays