
helps you to avoid overheating the brakes andwearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking, itis possible that a drive wheel will not rotate forsome time, e.g. on a slippery road surface.This could cause damage to the drive train.This type of damage is not covered by theMercedes-Benz warranty.
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal ondownhill gradients while the manual drive pro-gramMis temporarily activated: the automatictransmission may switch to the last active auto-matic drive programEorS. The automatic trans-mission may shift to a higher gear. This canreduce the engine's braking effect.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantlyresults in excessive and premature wear tothe brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavyload, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Driveon for a short while. This allows the airflow tocool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rainwithout braking, there may be a delayed reac-tion from the brakes when braking for the firsttime. This may also occur after the vehicle hasbeen washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal morefirmly. Maintain a greater distance from thevehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehiclewashed, brake firmly while paying attention tothe traffic conditions. This will warm up thebrake discs, thereby drying them more quicklyand protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-due may form on the brake discs and brakepads. This can result in a significantly longerbraking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, apply thebrakes occasionally while paying attention tothe traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and thebeginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicleahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up inthe instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine isrunning
Observe additional warning messages in themultifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.Consult a qualified specialist workshop toarrange this.
!A function or performance test should onlybe carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. Ifyou wish to operate the vehicle on such adynamometer, please consult a qualified spe-cialist workshop in advance. You could oth-erwise damage the drive train or the brakesystem.
!As the ESP®system operates automatically,the engine and the ignition must be switchedoff (the SmartKey must be in position

Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle when driving, you may be distracted from
the traffic situation. You could also lose con-
trol of the vehicle. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Only operate this equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for thecountry in which you are currently driving whenoperating the on-board computer.
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
The on-board computer only shows messages orwarnings from certain systems in the multifunc-tion display. You should therefore make sureyour vehicle is operating safely at all times.
If the operating safety of your vehicle isimpaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-tration (Ypage 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The light sensor in the instrument cluster auto-matically controls the brightness of the multi-function display. In daylight, the displays in theinstrument cluster are not illuminated.
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-plays and the controls in the vehicle interior canbe adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is located on thebottom left of the instrument cluster(Ypage 33).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwise orcounter-clockwise.If the light switch is set to the X, `or Xposition, the brightness is dependentupon the brightness of the ambient light.
Speedometer with segments
The speedometer is only divided into segmentsin vehicles with Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC.
The segments in the speedometer indicatewhich speed range is available.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC activated(Ypage 152):
One or two segments in the set speed rangelight up.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC detects avehicle in front moving more slowly than thestored speed:
The segments between the speed of the vehi-cle in front and the stored speed light up.
Tachometer
!Do not drive in the overrevving range, as thiscould damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates theengine's overrevving range.
The engine is limited within a range to protectthe engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-tions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-play indicates the temperature measured anddoes not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-function display (Ypage 181).
178Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays