Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on: R
Vehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package ( Y
page 214)R
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age ( Y
page 215)
At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-
ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking X
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Active Brake Assist
General information
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
Active Brake Assist consists of a distance warn-
ing function with an autonomous braking func-
tion and situation-dependent braking assis-
tance
Active Brake Assist can help you to minimize the
risk of a collision with the vehicle traveling in
front or reduce the effects of such a collision.
If Active Brake Assist detects that there is a risk
of collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically. If you do not react to the visual and
audible collision warning, autonomous braking
can be initiated in critical situations. If you apply
the brake yourself in a critical situation, Adap-
tive Brake Assist supports you with situation-
dependent braking assistance.
Active Brake Assist is only available in certain
countries.
Important safety notes In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages R
a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike R
a vehicle is traveling in front on a different line R
you are driving a new vehicle or servicing on
the Active Brake Assist system has just been
carried out
Observe the notes in the section on breaking-
in ( Y
page 134).
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensor checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at slow
speeds where there is no visible damage to the
front of the vehicle.Driving safety systems 67
Safety Z
Vehicles with Distance Pilot DISTRONIC: the
autonomous braking function is available in the
following speed ranges: R
4 - 124 mph (7 - 200 km/h) for moving
objects R
4 - 31 mph (7 - 50 km/h) for stationary
objects
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause the Autonomous Braking Func-
tion to intervene.
If the autonomous braking function requires a
particularly high braking force, preventative
passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)
are activated simultaneously ( Y
page 58).
Situation-dependent braking assis-
tance General information
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
With the help of the radar sensor system, Adap-
tive Brake Assist can detect obstacles that are in
the path of your vehicle for an extended period
of time.
If Adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of colli-
sion with the vehicle in front, it calculates the
brake pressure necessary to avoid a collision. If
you apply the brakes forcefully, situation-
dependent braking assistance adapts to the sit-
uation and automatically increases the brake
pressure to a degree appropriate to the traffic
situation.
Situation-dependent braking assistance pro-
vides braking assistance in hazardous situations
at speeds above 4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar
sensor technology to assess the traffic situa-
tion.
Situation-dependent braking assistance is capa-
ble of reacting to moving objects that have
already been detected as such at least once
over the period of observation, up to vehicle
speeds of around 155 mph (250 km/h).
Situation-dependent braking assistance reacts
to stationary obstacles up to a speed of approx-
imately 44 mph (70 km/h).
If situation-dependent braking assistance
demands particularly high brake pressure, pre-
ventative passenger protection measures (PRE-
SAFE ®
) are triggered simultaneously
( Y
page 58). X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
e mergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if: R
you release the brake pedal. R
there is no longer any danger of a collision. R
no obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-
cle.
Situation-dependent braking assistance is then
deactivated.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist might: R
intervene unnecessarily R
not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react: R
to people or animals R
to oncoming vehicles R
to crossing traffic R
when cornering
As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, complex but
non-critical driving conditions may also cause
Active Brake Assist to intervene.
Even if Active Brake Assist is not available due to
a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system is still available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.Driving safety systems 69
Safety Z
Offroad ESP ®
(vehicles with Offroad
Engineering package) An ESP ®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on: R
Vehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package ( Y
page 214)R
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age ( Y
page 215)
Offroad ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there is
oversteering or understeering, thus improving
traction.
Crosswind Assist General information Strong crosswind gusts can impair the ability of
your vehicle to drive straight ahead. The cross-
wind driving assistance function integrated in
ESP ®
noticeably reduces these impairments.
ESP ®
intervenes automatically according to the
direction and intensity of the crosswinds affect-
ing your vehicle.
ESP ®
intervenes with stabilizing braking to
assist you in keeping the vehicle in the lane.
Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h) when driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Important safety notes Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP ®
is
switched off or deactivated because of a mal-
function.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems ( Y
page 66). G WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps ( Y
page 277) as well as display
messages ( Y
page 246).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety and
offers increased braking comfort. In addition to
the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has
the HOLD function ( Y
page 182) and hill start
assist ( Y
page 139).
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function
General information
i Pay attention to the important safety notes
in the "Driving safety systems" section
( Y
page 66).
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
can help you to minimize the risk of a collision
with a vehicle in front or a pedestrian and reduce
the effects of such a collision. If the Active Brake
Assist with cross-traffic function detects a risk
of collision, you will be warned visually and
acoustically and, if necessary, your brake appli-
cation will be assisted according to the situa-
tion. If you do not react, the system can also
react by braking automatically. In the event of a
detected risk of collision due to crossing traffic,
you will also be visually and acoustically warned
as well as assisted by the brake boosting effect
according to the situation.
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is
only available in vehicles with the Driving Assis-
tance Plus package.
For Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion to assist you when driving, the radar sensor
system and the camera system must be opera-
tional.72
Driving safety systems
Safety
If the radar sensor system or the camera system
is malfunctioning, Active Brake Assist with
cross-traffic function is restricted or no longer
available. The brake system is still available with
complete brake boosting effect and BAS.
The radar sensor system and camera system
help Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion to detect obstacles that are in the path of
your vehicle for an extended period of time.
In addition, pedestrians in the path of your vehi-
cle can be detected.
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
detects pedestrians using typical characteris-
tics such as body contours and the posture of a
person standing upright.
i Observe the restrictions described in the
"Important safety notes" section
( Y
page 73).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
will initially brake your vehicle by a partial
application of the brakes if a danger of colli-
sion is detected. There may be a collision
unless you brake yourself. Even after subse-
quent full application of the brakes a collision
cannot always be avoided, particularly when
approaching at too high a speed. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself and try to
take evasive action, provided it is safe to do
so.
In the event of a partial application of the brakes,
the vehicle is braked with up to 50% of the full
braking pressure.
G WARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
cannot always clearly identify objects and
complex traffic situations.
In such cases, Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function might: R
issue an unnecessary warning or engage R
neither give a warning nor intervene
There is a risk of an accident. Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be prepared to brake, especially
if Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion alerts you. Terminate the intervention in a
non-critical driving situation.
G WARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
cannot always clearly identify people, partic-
ularly if they are moving. Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function cannot intervene in
these cases. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and be prepared to brake, especially
if Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion alerts you.
In order to maintain the appropriate distance to
the vehicle in front and thus prevent a collision,
you must apply the brakes yourself.
G WARNING
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
does not react: R
to small people, e.g. children R
to animals R
to oncoming vehicles R
when cornering
As a result, Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function may not warn you or engage in
all critical situations. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In the event of snowfall or heavy rain, the rec-
ognition can be impaired.
Recognition by the radar sensor system is also
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages R
a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbikeDriving safety systems 73
Safety Z
R
a vehicle is traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle R
vehicles quickly move into the radar sensor
system detection range
Recognition by the camera system is also
impaired in the event of: R
dirt on the camera or if the camera is covered R
glare on the camera system, e.g. from the sun
being low in the sky R
darkness R
or if: -
pedestrians move quickly, e.g. into the path
of the vehicle -
the camera system no longer recognizes a
pedestrian as a person due to special cloth-
ing or other objects -
a pedestrian is concealed by other objects -
the typical outline of a person is not distin-
guishable from the background
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at slow
speeds where there is no visible damage to the
front of the vehicle.
Following damage to the windshield, have the
configuration and operation of the camera sys-
tem checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Function X
To activate or deactivate: activate or deac-
tivate Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function using the on-board computer
( Y
page 237).
If the Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function is deactivated, the
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h) the Active Brake Assist with cross-
traffic function assists you with braking in haz-
ardous situations with: R
stationary obstacles in the path of the vehicle,
e.g. stopped or parked vehicles R
stationary pedestrians in the path of the vehi-
cle R
obstacles crossing your path that move in the
detection range of the sensors and are detec-
ted X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
You can prevent the intervention of Active Brake
Assist with cross-traffic function at any time by: R
depressing the accelerator pedal further R
activating kickdown R
releasing the brake pedal
The braking application of Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function is ended automati-
cally if: R
you maneuver to avoid the obstacle R
there is no longer a risk of collision R
there is no longer an obstacle detected in
front of your vehicle
STEER CONTROL
General information STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in particular
if: R
both right wheels or both left wheels are on a
wet or slippery road surface when you brake R
the vehicle starts to skid
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66). No steering assistance is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if: R
ESP ®
is deactivated R
ESP ®
is malfunctioning R
the steering is malfunctioning
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will be assisted
further by the electrical power steering.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer X
To activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open the driver's door. X
To 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.
i The 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)Protection against theft 75
Safety Z
If activated in the multimedia system, the loca-
tor lighting also lights up in the dark (see the
Digital Operator's Manual). X
To open the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: press and hold the T
button until the tailgate opens.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: X
To close the tailgate automatically from
outside the vehicle: if the SmartKey is loca-
ted in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle,
press the T button on the SmartKey.
When the tailgate closes you can then release
the button.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started by
any of the vehicle occupants if there is a KEY-
LESS-GO key in the vehicle ( Y
page 137).
Locking/unlocking centrally You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry the
SmartKey with you. You can combine the func-
tions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a conven-
tional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle by using
KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock it using the
7 button on the SmartKey.
The driver's door and the door at which the han-
dle is used, must both be closed. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle. When locking or
unlocking with KEYLESS-GO, the distance
between the SmartKey and the corresponding
door handle must not be greater than 3 ft (1 m).
KEYLESS-GO checks whether a valid SmartKey
is in the vehicle by periodically establishing a
radio connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey. This happens: R
when starting the engine R
while driving R
when the external door handles are touched R
during convenience closing X
To unlock the vehicle: touch the inner sur-
face of the door handle. X
To lock the vehicle: touch sensor surface C
or D .
Make sure that you do not touch the inner
surface of the door handle. X
Convenience closing feature: touch
recessed sensor surface D for an extended
period.
Further information on the convenience closing
feature ( Y
page 90).
If you pull on the handle of the tailgate, only the
cargo compartment of the vehicle is unlocked.
Deactivating and activating If you do not intend to use a SmartKey for an
extended period of time, you can deactivate the
KEYLESS-GO function of the SmartKey. The
SmartKey will then use very little power, thereby
conserving battery power. For the purposes of
activation/deactivation, the vehicle must not be
nearby. X
To deactivate: press the 7 button on the
SmartKey twice in rapid succession.
The battery check lamp of the SmartKey
flashes twice briefly and lights up once, KEY-
LESS-GO is deactivated ( Y
page 80).X
To activate: press any button on the Smart-
Key.
or X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
KEYLESS-GO and all of its associated features
are available again.78
SmartKey
Opening and closing
KEYLESS- GO start function
Gene ra l notesBear in min d that th e engin e can be started by
any of th e vehicl e occupant s if there is a Smart -
Key in th e vehicl e ( Y
page 137).
Changing the settings of the locking
system You can chang e th e setting s of th e locking sys-
tem. This mean s that only th e driver's door and
th e fuel filler flap are unlocke d when th e vehicl e
is unlocked. This is useful if you frequentl y travel
alone. X
To change th e setting: press and hold down
th e 6 and 7 buttons simultaneousl y
for about six seconds until th e battery indica-
to r lamp flashes twice ( Y
page 80) .
If th e setting of th e locking system is changed
within th e signal range of th e vehicle, pressing
th e 7 or 6 button:R
locks or R
unlocks th e vehicl e
The SmartKey no w function s as follows :X
To unlock: press th e 6 butto n once .X
To unlock centrally: press th e 6 butto n
twice .X
To lock centrally: press th e 7 button.
The KEYLESS-GO function is changed as fol -
lows : X
To unlock th e driver's door : touch th e inner
surfac e of th e door handle on th e driver's
door .X
To unlock centrally: touch th e inner surfac e
of th e door handle on th e front-passenger
door or th e rear door .X
To lock centrally: touch th e outer sensor
surfac e on on e of th e door handles
( Y
page 78) .X
To restor e th e factory settings: press and
hold down th e 6 and 7 buttons s imul-
ta
neously for approximately six seconds until
th e battery chec k lamp flashes twice
( Y
page 80) . Mechanical key
Gene ra l notesIf th e vehicl e can no longer be locke d or
unlocke d wit h th e SmartKey or wit h KEYLESS -
GO, use th e mechanical key.
If you use th e mechanical ke y to unloc k and
open th e driver's door , th e anti-thef t alarm sys-
te m will be triggered . Switc h off th e alarm
( Y
page 75) .
If you unloc k th e vehicl e usin g th e mechanical
key, th e fuel filler flap will no t be unlocke d auto -
matically. X
To unlock th e fuel filler flap: insert th e
SmartKey int o th e ignition lock.
Removing the me chanical key
X
Push release catch C in th e direction of th e
arrow and at th e sam e time remove mechan -
ical ke y D from th e SmartKey.
Fo r further information about :R
Unlocking th e driver's door ( Y
page 84)R
Unlocking th e cargo compartmen t
( Y
page 88 ) R
Locking th e vehicl e ( Y
page 84)
Inserting the me chanical key X
Push mechanical ke y D completely int o th e
SmartKey until it engage s and release
catch C is bac k in it s basic position .SmartKey 79
Opening and closing Z