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 188)
R Blind Spot Assist (Y page 206)
R Active Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 211)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 Active Distance Assist 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. Towing a trailer
221Driving and parking Z
X
Slide bolt 0083into the hole in the ball coupling
recess and the ball coupling to the stop. X
Secure the bolt using spring cotter 0084.X
Check the ball coupling, bolt and spring cotter
for correct installation.
If the ball coupling cannot be correctly mounted,
remove the ball coupling. Under these circum-
stances, the ball coupling must not be used for
trailer towing.
Have the entire trailer tow hitch checked at a
qualified specialist workshop. Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC Package: select
normal level and the Comfortdrive program.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
X Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
R Active Parking Assist
R Parking Package with rear view camera
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC Package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following:
R If the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
R The Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length). Towing a trailer
223Driving and parking Z
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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 the country in which you are currently driving whenoperating the on-board computer. G
WARNING
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.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc- tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times.
For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-
tration (Y page 37).
Plug-in hybrid: be sure to read the separate
Operator's Manual. Otherwise, you may not rec-
ognize dangers. Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis- plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster
(Y page 37). X
Turn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch to 0058,0060or
0058, the brightness is dependent upon the
brightness of the ambient light.
i The light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of the
multifunction display.
In daylight, the displays in the instrument
cluster are not illuminated. Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
R Cruise control activated (Y page 169):
The segments light up from the stored speed to the maximum speed.
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC activated
(Y page 171):
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC detects a
vehicle in front moving more slowly than the
stored 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 this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display (Y page 231). Displays and operation
229On-board computer and displays Z
i
Set the time using the multimedia system;
see the Digital Operator's Manual.
Possible displays in the multifunction dis-
play:
R 0097Gearshift recommendation, when shifting
manually (Y page 147)
R 005D Active Parking Assist (Y page 191)
R CRUISE
CRUISE Cruise control (Y page 169)
R 00CE Adaptive Highbeam Assist
(Y page 114)
R 00D6 ECO start/stop function (Y page 139)
R 00D9 HOLD function (Y page 182)
R 004F Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
Active Steering Assist (Y page 237)
R DSR
DSR Downhill Speed Regulation
(Y page 214) Menus and submenus
Menu overview
Press the 0059or0065 button on the steering
wheel to call up the menu bar and select a menu.
Operating the on-board computer (Y page 230).
Depending on the equipment installed in the
vehicle, you can call up the following menus:
R Trip
Trip menu (Y page 232)
R Navi
Navi menu (navigation instructions)
(Y page 233)
R Audio
Audio menu (Y page 235)
R Tel
Tel menu (telephone) (Y page 236)
R DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu (assistance)
(Y page 237)
R Serv.
Serv. menu (Y page 238)
R Sett.
Sett. menu (settings) (Y page 239)
R ON&OFFROAD
ON&OFFROAD menu (Ypage 241)
R AMG
AMG menu (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
(Y page 241) Trip menu
Standard display X
Press and hold the 0038button on the steer-
ing wheel until the Trip
Tripmenu with trip odom-
eter 0043and odometer 0044appears.
Trip computer "From Start" or "From
Reset" 0043
Distance
0044 Driving time
0087 Average speed
0085 Average fuel consumption
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steering
wheel to select the Trip Tripmenu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
From start
From start orFrom reset
From reset.
The values in the From
FromStart
Start submenu are cal-
culated from the start of a journey, while the
values in the From Reset
From Resetsubmenu are calcu-
lated from the last time the submenu was reset
(Y page 233).
The From Start
From Start trip computer is automatically
reset if:
R the ignition has been switched off for more
than four hours.
R 999 hours have been exceeded.
R 9,999 miles have been exceeded.
The From reset From reset trip computer is automatically
reset if the value exceeds 9,999 hours or
99,999 miles. 232
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The yellow
0024warning lamp lights up and the red 0049(USA only)
or 0024 (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes.
It is not possible to apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Shift the transmission to position 005D.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 0027
(USA only)
004D (Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Check Brake Fluid
Level
Level There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. In addition,
the 0027 (USA only) or 004D(Canada only) warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 156).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct the malfunction. 0026
Check Check
Brake
Brake Pad
PadWear
Wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
USA only: the red
0027brake system warning lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 0053
Inoperative Inoperative One or more main features of the mbrace system are malfunctioning.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active
Active
Brake
Brake Assist
Assist
Functions
Functions Currently
Currently
Limited See Opera‐
Limited See Opera‐
tor's Manual tor's Manual Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function is temporarily inopera-
tive.
Possible causes are:
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec-
tromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio stations or
other sources of electromagnetic radiation
R the system is outside the operating temperature range
R the on-board voltage is too low
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display message
disappears.
Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function or PRE ‑SAFE®
PLUS is
functional again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 156).
X Restart the engine. 250
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavaila‐ Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator's ble See Operator's
Manual Manual
orActive
Active
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavaila‐ Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator's ble See Operator's
Manual Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative.
Possible causes are:
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature range
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec-
tromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio stations or
other sources of electromagnetic radiation
The yellow 0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mirrors.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display message
disappears.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 156).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
Not Available When Not Available When
Towing a Trailer Towing a Trailer
See Operator's Man‐ See Operator's Man‐
ual ual
orAct. Blind
Act. Blind
Spot Asst. Not
Spot Asst. Not
Available When Tow‐ Available When Tow‐
ing a Trailer See ing a Trailer See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while tow-
ing a trailer.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer and
your vehicle.
X Press 0076on the steering wheel to confirm the display message. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
Inoperative Inoperative
or
Active Blind Spot
Active Blind Spot
Assist Inoperative Assist Inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is malfunctioning.
The yellow
0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mirrors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active Parking Active Parking
Assist Canceled Assist Canceled The driver's door is open.
X Repeat the parking gap measurement and parking process with the
driver's door closed. You have inadvertently touched the multifunction steering wheel while
steering intervention was active.
X While steering intervention is active, make sure that the multifunc-
tion steering wheel is not touched unintentionally. The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 191).Active Parking
Active Parking
Assist Inoperative Assist Inoperative Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is malfunctioning or faulty.
X Follow the instructions and helpful hints in the "Problems with
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC" section (Y page 191).
If the multifunction display still shows the display message:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
265On-board computer and displays Z
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Active Parking Assist is unavailable or faulty.
X Switch off the ignition and restart the engine.
If Active Parking Assist continues to be unavailable (the 005Dsymbol
does not appear on the multifunction display):
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Active Parking
Active Parking
Assist Finished Assist Finished The vehicle is parked. A warning tone also sounds.
The display message disappears automatically. Active Distance
Active Distance
Assist Off Assist Off Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC was deactivated.
If a warning tone also sounds, the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
has deactivated automatically (Y page 171).Active Distance Active Distance
Assist Assist
Now
NowAvailable
Available Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is operational again after having
been temporarily unavailable. You can now reactivate Active Distance
Assist DISTRONIC (Y page 171).Active Distance Active Distance
Assist Currently Assist Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is temporarily inoperative.
Active Steering Assist is also temporarily inoperative.
Possible causes are:
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec-
tromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio stations or
other sources of electromagnetic radiation
R the system is outside the operating temperature range
R the on-board voltage is too low
A warning tone also sounds.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display message
disappears.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 156).
X Restart the engine. Active Distance Active Distance
Assist Inoperative Assist Inoperative Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is faulty.
The following may have also failed:
R Active Brake Assist
R Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
A warning tone also sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Act. Distance Act. Distance
Assist Suspended Assist Suspended You have depressed the accelerator pedal. Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC is no longer controlling the speed of the vehicle.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. 266
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays
Information on Roadside Assistance
(Y
page 29).
Downloading routes Downloading routes allows you to transfer and
save predefined routes in the navigation sys-
tem.
A route can be prepared and sent either by a
customer service representative or under "Own- ers Online" at http://www.mbusa.com.
Each route can include up to four way points.
Once a route has been received by the naviga-
tion system, you will see the Do
Do you you want
want to
to
start route guidance? Destination
start route guidance? Destination
Received destination has been saved Received destination has been saved
in "Previous destinations". in "Previous destinations". message on
the multimedia system display.
The route is saved.
X To start route guidance: selectYes
Yes.
An overview of the route is shown in the dis-
play.
If you select No No, the saved route can be called
up later in the navigation menu.
X Select Start
Start.
Route guidance starts.
Downloaded and saved routes can be called up again.
Speed alert You can define the upper speed limit, which
must not be exceeded by the vehicle.
If the vehicle exceeds the set speed, a message
is sent to the Customer Assistance Center. The
Customer Assistance Center then forwards this
information to you.
You can select the way in which you receive this information beforehand. Possible options
include text message, e-mail or an automated
call.
The data you receive contains the following
information:
R the location where the speed limit was excee-
ded
R the time at which the speed limit was excee-
ded
R the selected speed limit which was exceeded Geo fencing Geo fencing allows you to select areas which the
vehicle should not enter or leave. You will be
informed if the vehicle crosses the boundaries
of the selected areas. You can select the way in
which you receive this information beforehand.
Possible options include text message, e-mail or an automated call.
The area can be determined as either a circle or
a polygon with a maximum of ten corners. You
can specify up to ten areas simultaneously. Dif- ferent settings are possible for each area.
These settings can be called up under "Owners
Online" at http://www.mbusa.com.
Alternatively, you can also trigger an Info call
and notify the customer service representative
that you wish to activate geo-fencing.
Currently inactive areas can be activated by text message.
Triggering the vehicle alarm With this function, you can trigger the vehicle's
panic alarm via text message. An alarm sounds
and the exterior lighting flashes. Depending on
the setting, the panic alarm lasts five or ten sec-
onds. Afterwards, the alarm switches off. Garage door opener
General notes The HomeLink
®
garage door opener integrated
in the rear-view mirror allows you to operate up
to three different door and gate systems.
Use the integrated garage door opener only on
garage doors that:
R have safety stop and reverse features and
R meet current U.S. federal safety standards
Once programmed, the integrated garage door
opener in the rear-view mirror will assume the
function of the garage door system's remote
control. Please also read the operating instruc-
tions for the garage door system.
When programming a garage door opener, park
the vehicle outside the garage. Do not run the
engine while programming.
Certain garage door drives are incompatible
with the integrated garage door opener. If you
have difficulty programming the integrated 316
FeaturesStowage and features