driving 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 270).
For more information on driving with summertires, see (Ypage 269).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"section (Ypage 269).
Driving tips141
Driving and parking
Z
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
General notes
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC regulatesthe speed and automatically helps you main-tain the distance from the vehicle detected infront. Vehicles are detected with the aid of theradar sensor system. Active Distance AssistDISTRONIC brakes automatically to avoidexceeding the set speed or to maintain thedesignated distance from the vehicle in front.
Change into a lower gear in good time on longand steep downhill gradients. This is especiallyimportant if the vehicle is laden. By doing so,you will make use of the braking effect of theengine. This relieves the load on the brake sys-tem and prevents the brakes from overheatingand wearing too quickly.
If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC detectsthat there is a risk of a collision with the vehi-cle in front, you will be warned visually andaudibly. Active Distance Assist DISTRONICcannot prevent a collision without your inter-vention. An intermittent warning tone will thensound and the distance warning lamp will lightup in the instrument cluster. Brake immedi-ately in order to increase the distance fromthe vehicle in front, or take evasive action, pro-vided it is safe to do so.
For Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC toassist you when driving, the radar sensor sys-tem must be operational.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC operates inthe speed range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and120 mph (200 km/h).
Do not use Active Distance Assist DISTRONICon roads with steep gradients.
As Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC trans-mits radar waves, it can resemble the radardetectors of the responsible authorities. Youcan refer to the relevant chapter in the Opera-tor's Manual if questions are asked about this.
iUSA only: This device has been approvedby the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System".The radar sensor is intended for use in anautomotive radar system only. Removal,tampering, or altering of the device will voidany warranties, and is not permitted by theFCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in anynon-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
iCanada only: This device complies withRSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation issubject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,and
2. This device must accept any interferencereceived, including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of thedevice will void any warranties, and is notpermitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or usein any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this devicecould void the user's authority to operatethe equipment.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
As a result, Active Distance Assist
DISTRONIC may neither give warnings nor
intervene in such situations. There is a risk
of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic
situation and be ready to brake.
GWARNING
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not
react to:
Rpeople or animals
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles (vehicles without
the Driving Assistance package)
Rstationary objects in the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles, if sufficient detec-
tion is not possible (vehicles with the Driv-
ing Assistance package)
Roncoming vehicles and crossing traffic
144Driving systems
Driving and pa rking