RActivate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brakegently. When doing so, make sure that thevehicle is facing in the direction of the lineof fall.
RCheck that the brakes are working normallyafter a long downhill stretch.
Off-road ABS is activated when the off-roadprogram is selected.
At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h), the frontwheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-ging-in effect achieved in the process reducesthe stopping distance on off-road terrain. Thesteerability of the vehicle is considerablyreduced if the wheels lock.
Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant roadspeed for you. It brakes automatically in orderto avoid exceeding the set speed. On long andsteep downhill gradients, especially if the vehi-cle is laden, you must select a low gear ingood time. You need to shift manually usingthe steering wheel paddle shifters beforehand.By doing so, you will make use of the brakingeffect of the engine. This relieves the load onthe brake system and prevents the brakesfrom overheating and wearing too quickly.
When the engine is running, you can use thecruise control lever to limit the speed to anyspeed between 20 mph (30 km/h) and thetechnically permitted maximum speed of thevehicle.
Use cruise control if road and traffic condi-tions make it appropriate to maintain a steadyspeed for a prolonged period.
The speed indicated in the speedometer maydiffer slightly from the speed stored.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruisecontrol can neither reduce the risk of an acci-dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruisecontrol cannot take into account the road,traffic and weather conditions. Cruise controlis only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in yourlane.
Do not use cruise control:
Rin road and traffic conditions which do notallow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.in heavy traffic or on winding roads
Ron slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-erating could cause the drive wheels to losetraction and the vehicle could then skid
Rin poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rainor snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the newdriver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
CActivates or increases speed
DActivates or reduces speed
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the
vehicle when driving, you may be distracted
from the traffic situation. You could also
lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of
an accident.
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 equipment when the vehicle is station-
ary.
You must observe the legal requirements forthe country in which you are currently drivingwhen operating 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 messagesor warnings from certain systems in the multi-function display. You should therefore makesure your vehicle is operating safely at alltimes.
If the operating safety of your vehicle isimpaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to doso. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
For an overview, see the instrument panelillustration (Ypage 32).
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 thedisplays and the controls in the vehicle interiorcan be adjusted using the brightness controlknob.
The brightness control knob is located on thebottom left of the instrument cluster(Ypage 32).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwiseor counter-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 seg-ments in vehicles with Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC.
The segments in the speedometer indicatewhich speed range is available.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC activated(Ypage 158):
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 thevehicle in front and the stored speed lightup.
Tachometer
!Do not drive in the overrevving range, asthis could 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 con-ditions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-play indicates the temperature measured anddoes not record the road temperature.
188Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays