R
Take care when turning on an uphill or down-
hill slope or when driving across a slope. The
vehicle could otherwise tip over. R
Always keep the side windows and the pano-
rama roof with power tilt/sliding panel closed
during the journey. R
Do not deviate from marked routes.
Do not use the HOLD function when driving off-
road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients or on
slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function
cannot hold the vehicle on such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the engine
oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure a
correct oil supply in the vehicle. X
Wheels and tires: check the tire tread depth
and tire pressure. X
Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires. X
Replace any missing valve caps. X
Replace dented or damaged wheels. X
Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
Before driving off-road, check the wheels and
replace them if necessary.
Checklist after driving off-road
! If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop. X
Deactivate off-road program ( Y
page 181).X
Deactivate DSR ( Y
page 180).X
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage. X
Clean the front and rear license plates. X
Clean the wheels/tires with a water jet and
remove any foreign objects. X
Clean the wheels, wheel housings and the
vehicle underside with a water jet; check for
any foreign objects and damage. X
Check whether twigs or other parts of plants
have become trapped. These increase the risk
of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bellows of the axle joints
and propeller shafts. X
After the trip, examine without fail the entire
undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes, body-
work structure, steering, chassis and exhaust
system for damage. X
After driving in sand, mud, gravel, water or
similar dirty conditions, have the following
checked and cleaned: R
brake discs R
wheels R
brake pads R
axle joints X
If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the wheels
and drive train and remove them if necessary.
Foreign objects can disturb the balance and
cause vibrations.
Driving over poor road surfaces places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on normal
roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle.
This allows you to detect damage promptly and
reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and
other road users.
Driving on sand Observe the following rules when driving on
sand: R
Select the off-road program ( Y
page 181).R
Avoid high engine speeds. R
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter to shift to a lower gear appropriate to
the terrain. R
Drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels could
become stuck in loose ground. R
Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if possi-
ble. Make sure that: -
the tire ruts are not too deep. -
the sand is sufficiently firm. -
the ground clearance of the vehicle is suf-
ficient.
Tire ruts and gravel roads
! Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or
bottom out and get stuck. Driving tips 167
Driving and parking Z
Steering Pilot cannot provide assistance: R
on very sharp corners R
when towing a trailer R
when a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety notes
on Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 171).
The steering interventions are carried out with a
limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with
a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears in the multifunction display. If you have
still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel, a warning tone also
sounds to remind you to take control of the
vehicle after five seconds at the latest. Steering
Pilot is then switched to passive. Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC remains active.
Activating Steering Pilot
X
Press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The Steering
Pilot On message appears on the multifunc-
tion display. Steering Pilot is activated. Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Pilot is activated but not ready for a
steering intervention, steering wheel symbol C
appears in gray. If the system provides you with
support by means of steering interventions,
symbol C is shown in green.
Deactivating Steering Pilot X
Press button D .
Indicator lamp C goes out. The Steering
Pilot Off message appears on the multi-
function display. Steering pilot is deactivated.
When Distance Pilot DISTRONIC is deactivated
or not available, Steering Pilot is deactivated
automatically.
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations: R
when pulling away, especially on steep slopes R
when maneuvering on steep slopes R
when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver
having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.178
Driving systems
Driving and parking
Parking Pilot
General notes Parking Pilot is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It measures the road on both sides
of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates a suit-
able parking space. Active steering intervention
and brake application can assist you during
parking and when exiting a parking space. You
can also still use Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 191).
Important safety notes Parking Pilot 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 no persons, animals or
objects are in the path of your vehicle.
When Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactiva-
ted, Parking Pilot is also unavailable.
For vehicles with a trailer tow hitch installed, the
minimum length for parking spaces is slightly
longer.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle, you
should not use Parking Pilot. Once the electrical
connection is established between your vehicle
and the trailer, Parking Pilot is no longer availa-
ble. Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated
for the rear area.
G WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Parking Pilot
parking procedure.
! If they cannot be avoided, drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and at an obtuse
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Parking Pilot may also display spaces not suita-
ble for parking, e.g.: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces Parking tips: R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the parking
space as possible. R
Parking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly. R
Parking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly. R
Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately. R
Pay attention to the warning messages of
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC during the park-
ing procedure ( Y
page 193).R
You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Parking Pilot is then
canceled- R
When transporting a load that protrudes from
your vehicle, you should not use Parking Pilot- R
Never use Parking Pilot when snow chains are
mounted. R
Always pay attention to the specified tire
pressure for your vehicle. This has a direct
influence on the parking characteristics of the
vehicle.
Use Parking Pilot for parking spaces that are: R
parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel R
on straight roads, not bends R
on the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the detection range of
Parking Pilot will not be detected when the park-
ing space is measured. These are not taken into
account when the parking procedure is calcula-
ted, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or load-
ing ramps of trucks. Parking Pilot may therefore
guide you into the parking space too early.
G WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range: R
Parking Pilot may steer in too early R
the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Parking Pilot.188
Driving systems
Driving and parking
If you select the reverse gear, Active Blind Spot
Assist is not operational.
The brightness of the warning lamps is auto-
matically adapted to the brightness of the sur-
roundings.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated, gray
radar waves propagating backward appear next
to the vehicle in the assistance display in the
multifunction display. Above a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h), the color of the radar waves in the
assistance display changes to green D . Active
Blind Spot Assist is then ready for use.
Visual and acoustic collision warning If you switch on the turn signals to change lanes
and a vehicle is detected in the side monitoring
range, you receive a visual and acoustic collision
warning. You will then hear a double warning
tone and red warning lamp C flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, detected vehicles are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp C .
There are no further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a lat-
eral collision in the monitoring range, a course-
correcting brake application is carried out. This
is meant to assist you in avoiding a collision.
G WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake appli-
cation. Always maintain a safe distance at the
sides. If a course-correcting brake application occurs,
red warning lamp C flashes in the exterior mir-
ror and a double warning tone sounds. In addi-
tion, a display underlining the danger of a side
collision appears in the multifunction display.
In very rare cases, the system may make an
inappropriate brake application. A course-cor-
recting brake application may be interrupted at
any time by countersteering slightly or acceler-
ating.
The course-correcting brake application is avail-
able in the speed range between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Either no braking application, or a course-cor-
recting brake application adapted to the driving
situation occurs if: R
there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your vehicle. R
a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side. R
you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds. R
you clearly brake or accelerate. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake. R
ESP ®
is switched off. R
a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Active Blind Spot Assist is
activated in the on-board computer
( Y
page 232). X
Switch on the ignition.
Warning lamps C in the exterior mirrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 seconds.
Gray radar waves propagating backwards
appear next to the vehicle in the assistance
graphic in the multifunction display D .
Above a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h), the color
of the radar waves in the assistance display
changes to green D . Active Blind Spot Assist
is then ready for use.Driving systems 211
Driving and parking Z
Lane-correcting brake application If you leave your lane, under certain circumstan-
ces the vehicle will brake briefly on one side.
This is meant to assist you in bringing the vehicle
back to the original lane.
G WARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back into the original
lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist warns
you or makes a lane-correcting brake appli-
cation.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
display C appears in the multifunction display.
The brake application also slightly reduces vehi-
cle speed.
A lane-correcting brake application can be made
after driving over a lane marking recognized as
being solid or broken. Before this, a warning
must be given by means of intermittent vibration
in the steering wheel. In addition, a lane with
lane markings on both sides must have been
detected.
In the case of a broken lane marking being
detected, a lane-correcting brake application
can only be made if a vehicle has been detected
in the adjacent lane. Oncoming vehicles, over-
taking vehicles and vehicles in adjacent lanes
can be detected.
A further lane-correcting brake application can
only occur after your vehicle has returned to the
original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs if: R
you clearly and actively steer, brake or accel-
erate. R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend R
you have switched on the turn signal R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist R
you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of accel-
eration R
ESP ®
is switched off R
the transmission is not in position [ .R
on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the elec-
trical connection to the trailer has been cor-
rect ly established R
a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed. R
an obstacle has been detected in the lane in
which you are driving
Active Lane Keeping Assist may not detect other
road users or traffic situations. An inappropriate
brake application may be interrupted at any time
if you: R
steer slightly in the opposite direction R
switch on the turn signal R
you brake or accelerate significantly.
A lane-correcting brake application is interrup-
ted automatically if: R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist R
lane markings are no longer detected
Activating/deactivating Active Lane
Keeping Assist
X
To activate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The Lane Keep‐
ing Assist On message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. If all conditions have been
satisfied, a warning or steering intervention
may be made.
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,Driving systems 213
Driving and parking Z
For more information, please contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a detach-
able trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded: R
the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight R
the permissible trailer load R
the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle R
the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found: R
in the vehicle documents R
on the type plate for the trailer R
on the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has a larger turning circle
This could impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and wea ther conditions. Do
not
exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes R
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country. This lowers the risk of an accident. R
Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. R
The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings. R
Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle. R
If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a maxi-
mum load; see the tire pressure table in the fuel
filler flap ( Y
page 367).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all: R
PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 191) R
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 205)R
Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y
page 212)
On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" ( Y
page 384).
Driving tips Observe the information on ESP ®
trailer stabili-
zation ( Y
page 72) and on pulling away with a
trailer ( Y
page 140).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle ( Y
page 384). In the event of increased
rear axle load, the vehicle/trailer combination
may not exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the operat-
ing permit. This also applies in countries inTowing a trailer 215
Driving and parking Z