New and replaced brake pads and discs onlyreach their optimum braking effect after sev-eral hundred kilometers of driving. Compen-sate for this by applying greater force to thebrake pedal. Keep this in mind, and adapt yourdriving and braking accordingly during thisbreak-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake sys-tem warning lamp in the instrument clusterand note any brake status messages in themultifunction display. Especially for high per-formance driving, it is important to maintainand have the brake system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth onthe road surface, there is a danger of hydro-planing occurring.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or inconditions in which hydroplaning may occur,you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed
Ravoid ruts
Ravoid sudden steering movements
Rbrake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Checkthe depth of any water before drivingthrough it. Drive slowly through standingwater. Otherwise, water could enter thevehicle interior or engine compartment. Itcan then damage the engine's or automatictransmission's electronic components. Itcan also be sucked in by the engine's airintake connection and cause engine dam-age.
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding 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 vehi-
cle becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk
of fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heat-
ing 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.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualifiedspecialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roadsurfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steeringand braking maneuvers. Do not use cruisecontrol.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot bestopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position \\.
The outside temperature indicator is notdesigned to serve as an ice-warning deviceand is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.Changes in the outside temperature are dis-played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezingpoint do not guarantee that the road surface isfree of ice. The road may still be icy, especiallyin wooded areas or on bridges. The vehiclecould skid if you fail to adapt your drivingstyle. Always adapt your driving style and driveat a speed to suit the prevailing weather condi-tions.
You should pay special attention to road con-ditions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
For more information on driving with snowchains, see (Ypage 295).
For more information on driving with summertires, see (Ypage 295).
Driving tips153
Driving and parking
Z
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 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
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 33).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwiseor counter-clockwise.If you turn the light switch (Ypage 109) tothe X, `or Xposition, the bright-ness will depend upon the brightness of theambient light.
The light sensor in the instrument clusterautomatically controls the brightness of themultifunction display. In daylight, the dis-plays in the instrument cluster are not illu-minated.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicatewhich speed range is available.
RCruise control activated (Ypage 154):
The segments light up from the storedspeed to the maximum speed.
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC activated(Ypage 156):
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 fuel supply is interrupted to protect theengine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con-ditions when temperatures are around freezingpoint.
190Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays