Activating DSR
XPress button:.
Indicato rlamp ;lights up.
The à DSRsymbol appear sin th emulti-
function display.
You can only activat eDS Rwhen driving at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
If th ecurren tvehicl espee dis to ohigh ,th eÃ
DS Rsymbol appear sin th emultifunction display
wit hth eMax .speed 25 mph
message (Can -
ada: 40 km/ h).
If you have activated DS Rand you chang eth e
driv eprogram ,DS Ris deactivated. If you switch
between th eoffroad and offroad plus driv epro -
grams, DS Rremains activated.
Deactivating DSR
XPress butto n:.
Indicato rlamp ;goes out .
The à DSRsymbol appear sin th emulti-
function display wit hth eOff
message .
On vehicles wit hth e Off road Engineering pack-
age, if you select adifferent driv eprogram ,DS R
is also deactivated. If you switch between th e
Off road programs, DS Rremains activated.
DS Rswitches off automatically if you driv e
faste rthan 28 mph (Canada: 45 km/h). The
à DSRsymbol appear sin th emultifunction
display wit hth eOff
message .The status indi-
cator in th emultifunction display goes out .You
also hear awarning . Onvehicles wit hth e Off-
road Engineering package, if you select adiffer-
en tonroad/offroad program ,DS Ris also deac -
tivated.
Changing the set speed
XTo increase or reduce th eset speed in
1 mp hincrement s(Canada: 1km/h
increments): briefly press th ecruise control
leve rup : for ahigher set spee dor down ;
for alower set speed.
The set spee dappear sin th emultifunction
display wit hth eà DSRsymbol.
When DS Ris activated, you can chang eth eset
spee dto avalue between 1mph and 11 mph
(Canada: between 2km/h and 18 km/h).
iThe DS Rset spee dis always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1km/h incre-
ments). This is regardless of whether you
press th ecruise control leve rto or beyon dth e
pressur epoint.
Offroad program (vehicles without the
Offroad Engineering package)
General notes
Selec tth eOff roa dprogram for easil ynegotia-
ble off-road terrain, e.g. dirt tracks, gravel or
sandy surfaces. The engine's torque is restric-
te dto alimited degree and th edriv ewheels can
spin .The spinnin gwheels produce acuttin g
effect for bette rtraction .ABS, ES P
®and 4ETS
program sespecially adapted to off-road driving
are activated. Agentle accelerato rpedal curve
is also selected, i.e .th eaccelerato rpedal must
be depressed muc hfurther in order to acceler -
ate .
You can select th eOff roa ddriv eprogram at
speeds below 60 mph (96 km/h). The Drive
program"Offroad" Max .Speed 60 mphmessage appear sin th emultifunction display. If
you driv eat speeds of mor ethan 60 mph
(96 km/ h)and select the Offroaddrive pro-
gram, the Drive More Slowly
message
214Driving systems
Driving and parking
appears in the multifunction display. The last
active drive program is selected again.
Do not use theOffroadprogram on roads that
are snow-covered or icy or if you have installed
your vehicle with snow chains.
Selecting the Offroad program
Selecting the Offroad program
XTo select drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :until indicator lamp ;
lights up.
The Drive Program "Offroad1" Max.
Speed 60 mphmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The vehicle is raised by +2.4 in (60 mm).
The vehicle is lowered to normal level again if
you:
Rdrive at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) (all
vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Rdrive at speeds above 43 mph (70 km/h)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Rdrive between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h) for approximately 20 seconds (all
vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles).
Rdrive at speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 43 mph (70 km/h)for approximately
20 seconds (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The vehicle changes from the Offroaddrive pro-
gram to the Comfortdrive program if you drive
faster than 70 mph (112 km/h).
The Drive More Slowly
message appears in
the multifunction display.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(
Ypage 165).
Offroad programs (vehicles with Off-
road Engineering package)
General notes
The Offroad andOffroad Plus drive programs
assist you when driving off-road. The engine's
performance characteristics and the gearshift-
ing characteristics of the automatic transmis-
sion are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP
®
and 4ETS programs especially adapted to off-
road driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e. the
accelerator pedal must be depressed further to
accelerate.
Do not use the OffroadorOffroad Plus drive
programs on roads that are snow-covered or icy,
or if you have installed your vehicle with snow
chains.
Offroad drive program
:DYNAMIC SELECT controller
;Offroad program indicator lamp
Select the Offroadprogram for easily negotia-
ble off-road terrain, e.g. dirt tracks, gravel or
sandy surfaces. The engine's torque is restric-
ted to a limited degree and the drive wheels can
spin. The spinning wheels produce a cutting
effect for better traction. ABS, ESP
®and 4ETS
programs especially adapted to off-road driving are activated. A gentle accelerator pedal curve
is also selected, i.e. the accelerator pedal must
be depressed much further in order to acceler-
ate.
You can select the Offroaddrive program at
speeds below 60 mph (96 km/h). The Drive
Program "Offroad" Max. Speed 60 mphmessage appears in the multifunction display. If
you drive at speeds above 60 mph (96 km/h)
and select theOffroaddrive program, the
Drive More Slowly
message appears in the
Driving systems215
Driving and parking
Z
multifunction display. The last active drive pro-
gram is selected again.
Selecting the Offroad program
XTo select a drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller:until indicator lamp ;
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad" Max.
speed 60 mphmessage appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The vehicle is raised by +1.2 in (30 mm).
The vehicle changes from the Offroaddrive pro-
gram to the Comfortdrive program if you drive
faster than 70 mph (112 km/h).
The Drive more slowly
message appears in
the multifunction display.
Offroad Plus drive program
:DYNAMIC SELECT controller
;Offroad Plus drive program indicator lamp
Select the Offroad Plus drive program for rough
terrain, e.g. for steep and/or uneven terrain or
for driving on rocky terrain.
Your vehicle has an automatically activated dif-
ferential lock for the transfer case. It controls
the balance between the front and rear axles.
The differential lock improves the vehicle's trac-
tion. 4ETS (
Ypage 70) controls the balance
between both wheels on an axle.
Selecting the Offroad Plus drive program
XTo select drive program: turn DYNAMIC
SELECT controller :until indicator lamp ;
lights up.
The Drive program "Offroad Plus"
Max.speed25mphmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
RThe Offroad Plus program is selected and
the vehicle is raised by +1.2 in (30 mm)
compared with the Offroaddrive program.
RDSR is switched on.
RThe differential lock is closed.
You can select the Offroad Plus drive program at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Offroad Plus drive program automatically
switches to the Offroad drive program if you
drive faster than 30 mph (45 km/h). The Drive
more slowlymessage appears in the multi-
function display.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(
Ypage 165).
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the Off-Road Engineering package)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose traction:
Rif you remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal when driving
Rif off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan-
ger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces.
GWARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is a
risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission to
another position.
216Driving systems
Driving and parking
General notes
:LOW RANGE offroad gear button
;LOW RANGE offroad gear indicator lamp
HIGH RANGEPosition for all normal on-
road driving conditions
LOW RANGEOffroad position for driving
off-road and fording
The transmission ratio
between the engine and
wheels is only approx-
imately one third of that in
the HIGH RANGE road posi-
tion. Drive torque is thus
proportionately higher.
Do not use LOW RANGE:
Ron slippery road surfaces,
e.g. in the case of slush
Ron snow or ice-covered
roads
Rif you have mounted snow
chains to your vehicle
The LOW RANGE offroad gear assists you in
driving off-road and when fording. When LOW
RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting character-
istics of the automatic transmission are adapted
for this purpose.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(
Ypage 165). You will find information about
driving safety systems in conjunction with
LOW RANGE in the "Safety" section (
Ypage 66).
From HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in position N
Ryou are driving at a speed below 40 km/h
XPress LOW RANGE button:.
Indicator lamp ;flashes.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp ;lights up. LOW RANGE indicator
appears in the multifunction display and in the
status indicator.
While indicator lamp ;is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button :again.
iYou cannot activate LOW RANGE if the
SPORT drive program is activated. The LOW
RANGE Not in Drive Program "Sport"message then appears in the multifunction
display.
From LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE
!Only change from LOW RANGE to HIGH
RANGE if:
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in position N
Ryou are driving at a speed below 70 km/h
XPress LOW RANGE button:.
Indicator lamp ;flashes.
When the gear change is complete, indicator
lamp ;goes out. In the multifunction dis-
play, the LOW RANGE Off
message appears
and the status indicator goes out.
While indicator lamp ;is flashing, you can
cancel the gear change by pressing LOW
RANGE button :again.
Driving systems217
Driving and parking
Z
XSlide boltAinto the hole in the ball coupling
recess and the ball coupling to the stop.
XSecure the bolt using spring cotter B.
XCheck the ball coupling, bolt and spring cotter
for correct installation.
If the ball coupling cannot be correctly mounted,
remove the ball coupling. Under these circum-
stances, the ball coupling must not be used for
trailer towing.
Have the entire trailer tow hitch checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
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.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XVehicles with AIRMATIC package: select
normal level and the Comfortdrive program.
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®
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 foll
owing:
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 (width and length).
222Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
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 triggers 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
trailer 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.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but instead
depress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure.
RWhen driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-condit ioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Towing a trailer223
Driving and parking
Z
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.
Pull ove ras soo nas it is saf eto do so and
consult 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 37).
Plug-i nhybrid: be sureto read th eseparat e
Operator's Manual. Otherwise, you may no trec -
ognize dangers.
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 gth ebrightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is locate don th e
botto mleftof th einstrumen tcluste r
(
Ypage 37) .
XTurn thebrightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you tur nth eligh tswitch to Ã,Tor
L, thebrightness is dependen tupon th e
brightness of th eambien 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 no tilluminated.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in th espeedometer indicat e
whic hspee drange is available.
RCruis econtrol activated (Ypage 169):
The segments ligh tup from th estore dspee d
to th emaximum speed.
RDistanc ePilot DISTRONI Cis activated
(Ypage 171):
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.
Tachometer
!
Do no tdriv ein th eoverrevving range, as this
could damag eth eengine.
The red ban din th etachometer indicates th e
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel suppl yis interrupted to protect th e
engin ewhen th ered ban dis reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tion swhen temperatures are aroun dfreezing
point.
Bea rin min dthat th eoutside temperature dis-
play indicates th etemperature measured and
does no trecord th eroad temperature.
The outside temperature display is in th emulti-
function display (
Ypage 230).
228Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays
Settings menu
Introduction
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, In the Sett.menu you have the follow-
ing options:
RChanging the instrument cluster settings
(Ypage 238)
RChanging the light settings (Ypage 238)
RChanging the vehicle settings (Ypage 239)
RChanging the convenience settings
(Ypage 239)
RRestoring the factory settings (Ypage 240)
Instrument cluster submenu
Selecting the distance unit
The Display Unit Speedometer / Odome‐ter:function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles in
the multifunction display.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Instrument Clustersubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Display Unit Speedometer / Odometer
function.
You will see the selected setting: kmormiles.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for distance
applies to:
RDigital speedometer in the Tripmenu
ROdometer and the trip odometer
RTrip computer
RCurrent consumption and the range
RNavigation instructions in the Navimenu
RCruise control
RDistance Pilot DISTRONIC
RASSYST PLUS service interval display
Selecting permanent display
ThePermanent Display:function allows you
to choose whether the multifunction display
always shows the outside temperature or the
speed. The speed display is inverse to the speedome-
ter.
XPress the
=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Instrument Clustersubmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Permanent Display:function.
The current setting, Outside Temperature,
Speedometer [km/h]or Speedometer[mph]appears.
XTo change the setting: pressaagain.
Light submenu
Setting the daytime running lamps
This function is not available in Canada.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Lightsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select the DaytimeRunning Lightsfunction.
If the DaytimeRunningLightsfunction has
been switched on, the cone of light and the
W symbol in the multifunction display are
shown in orange.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
Further information on daytime running lamps
(
Ypage 110).
Switching the Intelligent Light System
on/off
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett.menu.
XPress the:or9 button to select the
Lightsubmenu.
XPress ato confirm.
XPress the :or9 button to select the
Intell. Light Systemfunction.
If the Intell. Light Systemfunction has
been switched on, the cone of light and the
L symbol in the multifunction display are
shown in orange.
XPress the abutton to save the setting.
When you activate Intell. Light System
,
you activate the following functions:
238Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays