Messages in the multifunction display If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed in the
multifunction display:
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 24 mph You have been driving faster than 24 mph (40 km/h). Additionally, the
indicator lamp on the button in the center console is flashing. X
Slow down to change gear.
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position D and you are driving at below
40 km/h. X
Shift the transmission to N to complete the gear change process.
LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please
Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out. X
Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out the
gear change process again.
LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Parking Brake A warning tone also sounds. The gear change process has not been
completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no con-
nection between the engine and the drive wheels.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the vehi-
cle's drive train. X
Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic conditions
when doing this. X
Depress the electric parking brake ( Y
page 157).X
Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW RANGE
Stop Apply Parking Brake message disappears.
Driving dynamics display in the
COMAND display (vehicles with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
General notes
The driving dynamics display allows you to see
the selected drive program and additional infor-
mation about the vehicle's operating status in
the COMAND display.
C
Drive program selected
D
Status of the differential lock for the transfer
case
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 weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train
may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame. R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum 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.
More information on availability and installa-
tion can be obtained at any qualified special-
ist workshop. 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 the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle
( Y
page 369).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all: R
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 187)R
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 204)R
Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y
page 210) 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 installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 394).
Driving tips Also observe the notes on pulling away with a
trailer ( Y
page 138).
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
permissible speed is for your trailer. Observe the
legally permissible maximum speed in the rele-
vant country.
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
( Y
page 394). 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 maximum
permissible speed for car/trailer combinations
is greater than 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: X
Do not accelerate. X
Do not counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary.220
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety 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. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety 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: R
in your place of residence R
in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer: R
To 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 R
Before driving, check: -
trailer tow hitch -
safety switch for braked trailers -
safety chains -
electrical connections -
lights -
wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer. R
If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly. R
Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion. R
When 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. R
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments. R
The 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. R
If 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. R
If 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. R
When 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. R
If the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-condition ing 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. R
When 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 trailer 223
Driving and parking Z
Settings menu
Introduction Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, In the Sett. menu you have the follow-
ing options: R
Changing the instrument cluster settings
( Y
page 238)R
Changing the light settings ( Y
page 238)R
Changing the vehicle settings ( Y
page 239)R
Changing the convenience settings
( Y
page 239)R
Restoring the factory settings ( Y
page 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. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.X
Press v to confirm.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Display Unit Speedometer / Odometer
function.
You will see the selected setting: km or miles .X
Press the v button to save the setting.
The selected unit of measurement for distance
applies to: R
Digital speedometer in the Trip menuR
Odometer and the trip odometer R
Trip computer R
Current consumption and the range R
Navigation instructions in the Navi menuR
Cruise control R
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC R
ASSYST PLUS service interval display
Selecting permanent display
The Permanent 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. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.X
Confirm by pressing v on the steering
wheel. X
Press the d or c button to select the
Permanent Display: function.
The current setting, Outside Temperature ,
Speedometer [km/h] or Speedometer
[mph] appears. X
To change the setting: press v again.
Light submenu Setting the daytime running lamps This function is not available in Canada. X
Press the Y or e button on the steering
wheel to select the Sett. menu.X
Press the d or c button to select the
Light submenu. X
Press v to confirm. X
Press d or c to select the Daytime
Running Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights function has
been switched on, the cone of light and the