
Towing a trailer
PARKTRONIC detects a coupled trailer if your
vehicle is equipped with the corresponding elec-
trical installations for trailer towing.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connectionbetween your vehicle and a trailer. If you use an
adapter for the socket, remove it from the
socket after detaching the trailer. Otherwise,
PARKTRONIC remains deactivated for the rear
area.
Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and
MSolutions
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
In addition, a warning
tone sounds for approx.
two seconds
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.
The indicator lamp of the
f button lights up
and the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing display go out.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched itself off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe- cialist workshop.
The PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays implausible
distances.
For example, all the seg-
ments may be lit even
though there is no obsta-
cle present.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or iced up.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 268).
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
The license plate or other parts attached near the sensors may not be
secured correctly.
XCheck the license plate and attachment parts near the sensors for
correct seating.
An external radio or ultrasonic source may be causing interference.
XCheck PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid. The system uses ultrasound sensors to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle
and indicates suitable parking spaces. It can
then actively steer and brake the vehicle to help
you to park and exit the parking space.
Active Parking Assist includes the PARKTRONIC
parking aid which indicates visually and audibly the distance between your vehicle and an
obstruction. To do this, PARKTRONIC uses the ultrasonic sensors of the Active Parking Assist
(
Ypage 153).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. You are responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and pulling away. Make
sure that no persons, animals or objects are in
the maneuvering range.
When you deactivate PARKTRONIC, Active Park-
ing Assist will also be deactivated.
156Driving system
s
Driving an d parking

XTo cancel the process:press the%but-
ton on the steering wheel or drive off.
or
XTo exit the parking space using active
parking assistance: press theabutton
on the steering wheel.
The display shows the Park Assist
Active: Accelerate and BrakeObs.Surroundingsmessage.
XLet go of the steering wheel.
XPull away, being ready to brake at all times.
Exit the parking space slowly and do not drive
faster than 6 mph (10 km/h). Otherwise park-
ing assistance is canceled and Active Parking
Assist is stopped.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches a bor-
der of the parking space.
XWhile the vehicle is stationary, shift the trans-
mission to position hork as required or
according to the message.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The display shows the
Park Assist Active: Accelerate and
BrakeObs. Surroundingsmessage.
iYou will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely:
RThe display shows the Park Assist Fin‐ishedmessage.
RA tone sounds.
RThe steering wheel is moved to the straight-
ahead position
The parking assistance function of Active Park-
ing Assist is stopped. You will then have to steer
and merge into traffic on your own.
PARKTRONIC is still available.
You can take over the steering before the vehi-
cle has exited the parking space completely.
This is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the park-
ing space.
Canceling active parking assistance
XStop the movement of the steering wheel or
steer yourself.
or
XPress the fbutton and deactivate
PARKTRONIC (Ypage 155).
Parking assistance is canceled immediately
and Active Parking Assist is stopped. The dis-
play shows the Park
AssistCanceledmes-
sage.
Active parking assistance is canceled automat-
ically if:
Ryou apply the parking brake.
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no lon-
ger possible.
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h).
Ra wheel spins and ESP®intervenes or fails.
The ÷ warning lamp in the instrument
cluster then lights up.
Ryou unfasten your seat belt.
Ryou open a door or the tailgate/rear door.
Ryou shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
A warning tone sounds, the parking symbol in
the display goes out and the Park Assist
Canceledmessage appears.
Once active Parking Assist has been canceled,
you must steer and brake again yourself.
If a system malfunction occurs, vehicles are
automatically braked down to a standstill. To
continue driving, you must depress the acceler-
ator pedal again.
Rear view camera
General notes
On vehicles with a tailgate, the rear view camera
is next to the tailgate handle (Ypage 269).
On vehicles with rear doors, the rear view cam-
era is in the top of the license plate molding
(
Ypage 269).
The rear view camera is a visual parking aid. It
shows you the area behind the vehicle in the
audio display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed in a
mirrored fashion, as in the rear-view mirror or
the exterior mirrors. The guide lines displayed
assist you in backing up.
160Driving systems
Driving an d parking

This enables you to gain experience and get
used to the new handling characteristics.
RBefore driving, check:
-that the trailer tow hitch and ball coupling
are secure
-that the safety switch for a braked trailer is
functioning properly
-that the safety chains are secure and not
damaged
-that the electrical connections are secure
-that the lights are working
-that the wheels are in good order and the
tire pressure is correct
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer is equipped with a separate func-
tional braking system, check before each
journey whether the brakes are functioning
correctly.
RSecure the load on the trailer according to the
applicable specifications and current stand-
ards on securing loads (
Ypage 246).
RWhen driving with a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that the
brakes and lights 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 and has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
moderately at first so that the trailer can acti-
vate its brakes. Then increase the force on the
brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on inclines,
restrict the shift range. Select shift range 4,3,
2 or 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
RWhen driving on a downhill gradient, shift to a
low gear and take advantage of 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-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature of
the air conditioning to the
maximum level.
Open t
he windows if necessary.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer com-
bination you need an additional distance
before you can return to your original lane.
Uncoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XMake sure that the selector lever of the auto-
matic transmission is in position P.
XEngage the vehicle's parking brake.
XClose all doors.
XApply the parking brake of the trailer.
XIn addition, secure the trailer against rolling
away with a wheel chock or similar object.
XRemove the trailer cable and safety chains
and decouple the trailer.
168Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, the
light sensor in the instrument cluster automati-
cally controls the brightness of the display light-
ing.
While the lights are on, the brightness is depend-
ent upon the brightness of the ambient light.
You can also adjust the brightness of the instru-
ment lighting and the display lighting
Rby pressing thefand gbuttons on the
instrument cluster on vehicles without steer-
ing wheel buttons (not in the Settings
menu)
Rby turning brightness control knob :on vehi-
cles with steering wheel buttons
Speedometer
If you change the wheel size on your vehicle,
make sure it is assigned to the correct wheel
size category (
Ypage 279). If you change wheel
size category without recoding the control unit,
the speedometer indication will be inaccurate.
The current vehicle speed may then be higher
than the speed displayed in the speedometer.
The speed can also be shown in the display in
the form of a digital speedometer:
ROn vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 175)
ROn vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 181)
iIn some countries, a warning sounds and/or
the display shows a message when the vehi-
cle reaches the maximum legally permissible speed limit, e.g. at 75 mph (120 km/h).
Tachometer
!
Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
HEnvironmental note
Avoid driving at high engine speeds. This
unnecessarily increases the fuel consumption
of your vehicle and harms the environment as
a result of increased emissions.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Please bear in mind that the outside tempera-
ture display shows the air temperature meas-
ured and not the road temperature.
The display shows the outside temperature in
the header:
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 173)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 179)
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Coolant temperature gauge
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
On vehicles without steering wheel buttons, you
can have the coolant temperature shown in the
display (
Ypage 175).
On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, an ana-
log coolant temperature gage is located in the
tachometer in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 39).
Under normal operating conditions and with the
specified coolant level, the gauge may rise to
248 ‡ (120 †).
172Display and operation
On-board computer and displays

message with3, the display shows the next
submenu.
XPress forg to activate or deactivate ESP.
XPress 3to confirm.
The next submenu is shown in the display.
If the å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the vehicle is ready to
drive, ESP
®is deactivated.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 224) and display messages
(Ypage 196).
Setting the sensitivity of the rain sensor
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the buttons
in the instrument cluster.
XPress Èto select the Settingsmenu.
XPress3to select the Rain Sensorsub-
menu.
The display shows the current sensitivity set-
ting.
XPress forg to select the Low,Standardor
Sensitivesetting. This setting controls the
rain sensor's sensitivity to precipitation. The
windshield wiper will then wipe more or less
frequently at the same precipitation intensity.
XPress 3to confirm.
The next submenu is shown in the display.
You can find further information under "Wind-
shield wiper" (
Ypage 106).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the buttons in the instrument cluster.
XPress Èto select the Settingsmenu.
XPress3to select the Attention Assistsubmenu.
The display shows the current status.
If theAttention Assist Inoperative
message is shown in the display, ATTENTION
ASSIST is not available due to a malfunction
and is deactivated. If you confirm the mes-
sage with 3, the display shows the next sub-
menu.
XPress forg to activate or deactivate
ATTENTION ASSIST.
XPress 3to confirm.
The next submenu is shown in the display. Further information can be found under "ATTEN-
TION ASSIST" (
Ypage 152).
Selecting the permanent display func-
tion
With the
Permanent Display:function, you
can switch the display in the header between
outside temperature and speed.
If the display shows the speed in the header, the
outside temperature is shown with the odome-
ters (
Ypage 174).
The additional speedometer unit in the header is
always inverse to the speedometer unit.
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the buttons
in the instrument cluster.
XUsing Èselect the Settingsmenu.
XUsing3select the Permanent Display:submenu.
The display indicates the selected setting of
Outside Temp.
orSpeedometer.
XChange the setting by pressing forg.
XPress 3to confirm.
The next submenu is shown in the display.
Selecting the unit for the distance
In the Distance Unit:submenu, you can
select whether the display shows certain infor-
mation in kilometers or miles.
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the buttons
in the instrument cluster.
XPress Èto select the Settingsmenu.
XPress3to select the Distance Unit:sub-
menu.
The display indicates the selected setting of
km
or Miles.
XChange the setting by pressing forg.
XPress 3to confirm.
The display shows the next submenu or the
Settings
menu again.
The selected distance units are used for the dis- plays:
RDigital speedometer
ROdometer and trip odometer
RTrip computer
RRange
RCurrent consumption
RCruise control
RService intervals
On-board computer (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)177
On-board computer and displays
Z

XPressato confirm.
The current status is shown.
XTo activate/deactivate: pressaagain.
If the å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the vehicle is ready to
drive, ESP
®is deactivated.
If the ÷ warning lamp lights up continuously,
ESP
®is not available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 224) and display messages
(Ypage 210).
Activating/deactivating the distance
warning function
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress =or; to select the Assist.menu.
XPress9or: to select DistanceWarning.
XPressato confirm.
The current status is shown.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
If the distance warning function of COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST is activated, the display
shows the Äsymbol in the header.
At speeds up to approx 20 mph (30 km/h),
the display in vehicles with Active Parking
Assist first shows the ístatus indicator.
Only up to a speed of about 20 mph
(30 km/h) does the display show the Ä
symbol instead of the ístatus indicator.
Further information can be found under "COL-
LISION PREVENTION ASSIST" (
Ypage 146).
Setting ATTENTION ASSIST
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress =or; to select the Assist.menu.
XPress:or9 to select AttentionAssist.
XPressato confirm.
The current setting is displayed.
XTo change the setting: pressaagain.
XPress :or9 to set Deactivated,
Standardor Sensitive.
XPress ato confirm the choice.
If ATTENTION ASSIST is activated, the À
symbol is shown in the status area of the dis- play. The selection
Standard
orSensitivesets the sensitivity with which the system
determines the attention level.
Further information can be found under "ATTEN-
TION ASSIST" (
Ypage 152).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress =or; to select the Assist.menu.
XPress:or9 to select Blind SpotAssist.
XPressato confirm.
The current status is shown.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
Further information can be found under "Blind
Spot Assist" (
Ypage 148).
Setting Lane Keeping Assist
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress =or; to select the Assist.menu.
XPress:or9 to select LaneKeepingAssist.
XPressato confirm.
The current selection StandardorAdaptiveis displayed.
XTo change the setting: pressaagain.
Further information can be found under "Lane
Keeping Assist" (
Ypage 150).
Service menu
On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)187
On-board computer and displays
Z

Depending on the vehicle’s equipment, you have
the following options in theServicemenu:
RCalling up display messages in the message
memory (Ypage 205)
RRestarting the tire pressure loss warning sys-
tem or checking the tire pressure electroni-
cally (
Ypage 286)
RCalling up the service due date (ASSYST
PLUS) (Ypage 260)
Settings menu
Introduction
Depending on the vehicle’s equipment, you have
the following options in the Settingsmenu:
Rchanging the display options in the Inst.Clustersubmenu (Ypage 188)
Rchanging the time and date in theTime/Datesubmenu (Ypage 189)
Rchanging the exterior and interior lighting set-
tings in theLightssubmenu (Ypage 189)
Ractivating/deactivating or adjusting vehicle
functions in the Vehiclesubmenu
(Ypage 190)
Rresetting the settings to Factory Setting(Ypage 190)
Instrument cluster submenu
Selecting the unit for the distance
With theDisplay Unit Speed-/Odometer:function, you can select whether the display
shows certain information in kilometers or
miles. Use the steering wheel buttons.
XPress
=or; to select the Settingsmenu.
XPress:or9 to select Inst. Clus‐ter.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select the DisplayUnit Speed-/Odometer:function.
The display indicates the selected kmor
Milessetting.
XPress ato change the setting.
The unit for the distance will be selected for:
RDigital speedometer in the Tripmenu
ROdometer and trip odometer
RTrip computer
RCurrent consumption and range
RNavigation instructions in the Navimenu
RCruise control
RService interval display
Setting the display language
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress=or; to select the Settingsmenu.
XPress:or9 to select Inst. Clus‐ter.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select Language:.
The display shows the current language selec-
tion for all display messages.
XPress ato change the setting.
XPress :or9 to select the desired lan-
guage.
XPress the abutton to save the selection.
Selecting the permanent display function
Using the Permanent Display:function, you
can switch the display in the header between
outside temperature and speed.
If the display shows the speed in the header, the
display shows the outside temperature with the
odometers (
Ypage 180). The additional speed-
ometer unit in the header is always inverse to
the speedometer unit.
188On-board computer (vehicles withsteering whee lbu ttons)
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA
only)
!(Canada
only)
Releas ePark. Brake
The red F(USAonly)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp in th e
instrumen tcluste rlights up and awarning tone also sounds.
You are drivin gwit hth eparking brak eapplie dor are making an emer-
gency stop usin gth eparking brake.
XReleas eth eparking brak e (Ypage 136).
6
MalfunctionServiceReq.
The restrain tsystem is faulty. In addition ,th e6 warning lamp
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.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem and it scomponent schecke dimmedi-
ately at aqualified specialist workshop .
Further information on th erestrain tsystem and it scomponent scan
be found under "Occupant safety" (
Ypage 45).
6
Fr. LeftMalf. Ser ‐viceReq .orFr.RightMalf.Servic eReq.
The fron tlef tor right restrain tsystem is malfunctioning .In addition ,
th e6 warning lamp 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.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem and it scomponent schecke dimmedi-
ately at aqualified specialist workshop .
LeftCurtai nAirbagServiceRequiredor
Rt. Curtai nAirbag
Servic eRequired
There is amalfunction in th elef tor right window curtai nair bag. In
addition ,th e6 warning lamp 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.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem checke dimmediately at aqualified spe -
cialist workshop .
Display messages (vehicles without steering wheelbu ttons)197
On-board computer and displays
Z