Off-road fording
!Under no circumstances should you accel-
erate before entering the water. The bow
wave could cause water to enter and damage
the engine and other assemblies.
!Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while
fording. Otherwise, water could get into the
vehicle interior and damage the vehicle's
electronics and interior equipment.
REstablish how deep the water is and the char-
acteristics of the body of water before ford-
ing.
RSelect the highest possible vehicle level.
RShift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter.
RAvoid high engine speeds.
REnter and exit the water at a flat place and at
a steady walking pace.
RDrive slowly and at an even speed through the
water.
REnsure that a bow wave does not form as you
drive.
RDo not stop and do not switch off the engine.
Water offers a high degree of resistance, and
the ground is slippery and in some cases
unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and danger-
ous to pull away in the water.
RClean any mud from the tire tread after ford-
ing.
RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Always observe the fording depth values
(
Ypage 392).
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
!When scraping ice off the rear window, take
care not to damage the rear-window seal or
trim.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position i.
XTry to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering.
When driving in snow with or without snow
chains, select driving program Slippery
(
Ypage 142).
iVehicles with a diesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective
cover. The measuring function of the on-
board diagnosis system may otherwise pro-
vide inaccurate values. Some of these values
are required by law and must therefore always be accurate.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. You should pay
special attention to road conditions when tem-
peratures are around the freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 353).
164Driving tips
Driving and parking
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of
your vehicle and the gear shift operation before
driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
RtheOff-road drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Ypage 214)
ROff-road andOff-road Plus drive programs
(vehicles with Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Ypage 215)
RLOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with the
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Ypage 216)
RDifferential lock (vehicles with the Off-Road
Engineering package) (Ypage 216)
ROff-road ABS (Ypage 67)
ROff-road 4ETS (Ypage 70)
ROff-road ESP®(Ypage 72)
RAIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(Ypage 183)
RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Ypage 213)
Observe the following notes:
RStop the vehicle before starting to drive along
an off-road route. If necessary, select the off- road program (
Ypage 215) or shift to the
LOW RANGE off-road gear (Ypage 216).
RSelect a vehicle level that is suitable for the
terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance.
RCheck that items of cargo and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Ypage 299).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate
DSR (
Ypage 213).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving down an incline.
RAdapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher,
steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will inter- rupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-road
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route.
RLook out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
RTake care when turning on an uphill or down-hill slope or when driving across a slope. The
vehicle could otherwise tip over.
RAlways keep the doors, the tailgate, the side
windows and the sliding sunroof closed whilethe vehicle is in motion.
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
position i.
RObserve the notes on off-road fording
(Ypage 164).
iInformation about retrofitting special all-ter-
rain tires is available from any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iDo 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 sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage.
XEngine 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.
XDEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
level and add if necessary (Ypage 153).
XTire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
XWheels and tires: check the tread depth and
pressure of the tires.
XCheck for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires.
XReplace any missing valve caps.
XReplace dented or damaged wheels.
XRims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
166Driving tips
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
XPress the6ora button to start dialing.
or
XTo exit the redial memory: press the~
or % button.
Assistance menu
Introduction
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you have the following options in the
DriveAssist
menu:
RDisplaying the assistance graphic
(Ypage 236)
RActivating/deactivating the Traffic Sign
Assist display (Ypage 236)
RActivating or deactivating Steering Pilot
(Ypage 236)
RActivating or deactivating Active Brake Assist (Ypage 237)
RActivating or deactivating Active Brake Assist
with cross-traffic function (Ypage 237)
RActivating/deactivating ATTENTION ASSIST
(Ypage 237)
RActivating/deactivating Blind Spot Assist or
Active Blind Spot Assist (Ypage 237)
RActivating/deactivating Lane Keeping Assist
or Active Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 237)
Displaying the assistance graphic
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
XPress9or: to select AssistanceGraphic.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
The multifunction display shows the Distance
Pilot DISTRONIC distance display in the assis-
tance graphic display.
The assistance graphic displays the status of
and information from the following driving
systems or driving safety systems:
RTraffic Sign Assist (Ypage 203)
RDistance Pilot DISTRONIC (Ypage 171)
RActive Brake Assist (Ypage 67)
RActive Brake Assist with cross-traffic func-
tion (Ypage 73)
RATTENTION ASSIST (Ypage 202)
RLane Keeping Assist (Ypage 206) or Active
Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 210)
RDSR (Ypage 213)
ROff-road program (vehicles with Off-Road
Engineering package) (Ypage 215)
RRear window wiper (Ypage 118)
XPress :to display the ATTENTION ASSIST
assessment.
Traffic Sign Assist
You can switch the Traffic Sign Assist message
function on or off in the TrafficSignAssistmenu. When the function is activated, detected
traffic signs and information appear in the mul-
tifunction display for five seconds.
XPress the=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
XPress the9or: button to select
Traffic Sign Assist.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate the message func-
tion: press the abutton again.
For further information about Traffic Sign Assist,
see (
Ypage 203).
Activating or deactivating Steering Pilot
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
XPress9or: to select SteeringPilot.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
The current selection appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
When the Steering Pilot is activated, the mul- tifunction display displays a Steering
PilotOnmessage.
Further information about Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC with Steering Pilot (
Ypage 177).
236Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
6
RearLef tMalfunc‐tio nServic eRequiredorRea rLeftMalfunctionServic eRequired
The rear left-han dor right-hand restrain tsystem is malfunctioning .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
6
Rea rCenterMalfunc‐tionServic eRequired
The rear center restrain tsystem is malfunctioning .The 6 warning
lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
6
Lef tSid eCurtai nAirbag MalfunctionServiceRequiredor
Right Sid eCurtai n
Airbag MalfunctionServiceRequired
The left-han dor right-hand window curtai nair bag is malfunctioning .
The 6 warning lamp also lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The lef tor right window curtai nair bag may either be triggered unin-
tentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
252Display messages
On-board computer and displays
There are four cargo tie-down rings:in the
cargo compartment.
The parcel net must be pushed down before
using the cargo tie-down rings on the front right-
hand side of the cargo compartment.
Bag hook
GWARNING
The bag hooks cannot restrain heavy objects
or items of luggage. Objects or items of lug-
gage could be flung around and thereby hit
vehicle occupants when braking or abruptly
changing directions. There is a risk of injury.
Only hang light objects on the bag hooks.
Never hang hard, sharp-edged or fragile
objects on the bag hooks.
!The bag hook can bear a maximum load of
6.6lbs (3kg) and should not be used to secure
a load.
There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the left-hand side.
XPress bag hook marking :.
XTurn bag hook:until it engages.
Securing hooks
There is a securing hook :on each side of the
cargo compartment.
Only secure lightweight luggage items on the
securing hooks (maximum 9 lbs (4 kg)).
Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes
GWARNING
On its own, the cargo compartment cover
cannot secure or restrain heavy objects,
items of luggage and heavy loads. You could
be hit by an unsecured load during sudden
changes in direction, braking or in the event of
an accident. There is an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo compartment cover.
!When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo com-
partment higher than the lower edge of the
side windows. Do not place heavy objects on
top of the cargo compartment cover.
A cargo compartment cover or a combined
cargo cover and net (cargo compartment cover
with cargo net) is installed, depending on equip-
ment, behind the rear bench seat backrest.
300Stowage areas
Stowage and features
blinded by incident light. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always keep the mirror cover folded down
while driving.
:Mirror light
;Additional sun visor
=Retainer
?Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
AVanity mirror
BMirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor
Mirror light:only functions if the sun visor is
clipped into retainer =and mirror cover Bhas
been folded up.
Glare from the side
XFold down sun visor :.
XPull sun visor:out of retainer =.
XSwing sun visor :to the side.
Vehicles with additional sun visor:
XSlide sun visor :horizontally as required.
XFold down additional sun visor ;to the wind-
shield.
Roller sunblinds on the rear side win-
dows
!
Always guide the roller sunblind by hand. Do
not let it snap back suddenly as this would
damage the automatic roller mechanism.
!Do not drive the vehicle with the roller sun-
blind hooked in and the side windows opened
simultaneously. The roller sunblind can jump
out of the retainers and spring back suddenly
when driving at high speeds, e.g. when driving
on the freeway. This could damage the inertia
reel. Therefore, either close the side window
or retract the roller sunblind before driving at
high speeds.
XTo extend: pull the roller sunblind out by
tab :and hook it onto retainers ;at the
back of the window.
The roller sunblind can be hooked back into
place should it pop out from the top of the guide
rail.
XTilt pull-out profile :as illustrated.
XSlip guide bush ;into open area of guide rail
=.
XStraighten up pull-out profile :again.
306Features
Stowage and features
Specifying and sending the destination
address
XGo to the website http://maps.google.com
and enter a destination address into the entry
field.
XTo send the destination address to the e-
mail address of your mbrace account:
click on the corresponding button on the web-
site.
Example:
If you select "Send to vehicle" and then
"Mercedes-Benz", the destination address
will be sent to your vehicle.
XWhen the "Send" dialog window appears:
Enter the e-mail address you specified when
setting up your mbrace account into the cor-
responding field.
XClick "Send".
Information on specific commands such as
"Address entry" or "Send" can be found on the
website.
Calling up a transmitted destination
address
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 135).
The transmitted destination address is loaded
into the vehicle's navigation system.
A display message appears, asking whether
navigation should be started.
XSelectYesby turning 3or sliding 1
the controller and confirm with 7.
The system calculates the route and subse-
quently starts the route guidance with the
address entered.
If you select No
the address can be stored in
the address book.
If you have sent more than one destination
address, each individual destination must be
confirmed separately.
Destination addresses are loaded in the same
order as the order in which they were sent.
If you have multiple Mercedes-Benz vehicles
with mbrace and active mbrace accounts:
If multiple vehicles are registered under the
same e-mail address, the destination will be
sent to all the vehicles.
Vehicle remote opening
You can use the vehicle remote unlocking if you
have unintentionally locked your vehicle and a
replacement SmartKey is not available.
The vehicle can then be unlocked by the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center.
The vehicle can be immediately unlocked
remotely within four days of the ignition being
turned off. After this time, the remote unlocking
may be delayed by 15 to 60 minutes. After
30 days, the vehicle can no longer be unlocked
remotely.
The vehicle remote unlocking feature is availa-
ble if the relevant mobile phone network is avail-
able and a data connection is possible.
XContact the following service hotlines:
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
at 1-800 FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
or 1-866-990-9007
You will be asked for your password.
XReturn to your vehicle at the time agreed upon
with the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assis-
tance Center.
Alternatively, the vehicle can be opened via:
Rthe Internet, under the "Owners Online" sec-
tion
Rtelephone applications (e.g. for iPhone®,
Android™)
To do this, you will need your identification num-
ber and password.
Vehicle remote closing
The vehicle remote closing feature can be used
when you have forgotten to lock the vehicle and you are no longer nearby.
The vehicle can then be locked by the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center.
The vehicle can be immediately remotely locked
within four days of the ignition being turned off.
After this time, remote closing may be delayed
by 15 to 60 minutes. After 30 days the vehicle
can no longer be locked remotely.
The vehicle remote closing feature is available if
the relevant mobile phone network is available
and a data connection is possible.
XContact the following service hotlines:
314Features
Stowage and features