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Date of printing:
03/21/2010Interactive Owner's Manual [In depth | Controls | Driving systems]
Owner's Manual version: ÄJ 2008/1 b
Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.
Quick access
| Overview of driving systems |
| Cruise control |
| Distronic* |
| Speedtronic |
| HOLD |
| AIRMATIC DC* |
| 4MATIC* (permanent four-wheel drive) |
| Parktronic* |
The vehicle's driving systems are described on the following pages:
Cruise control, Distronic* and Speedtronic, which are used to control the speed of the vehicle
HOLD, which makes pulling away easier, particularly on steep uphill gradients
Vehicle level setting and AIRMATIC DC*, which are used to adjust the vehicle's suspension system
The ABS, BAS, adaptive brake lights, ESP®, EBV (electronic brake-power distribution) and ADAPTIVE BRAKE driving safety systems are described in the "Driving safety systems" section more.
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must shift to a lower gear in good time or select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in vehicles with automatic transmission*. By doing so you will make use of the braking effect of the engine, which relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.
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Risk of accident |
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Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. |
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Use cruise control only if road and traffic conditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 30 km/h.
When cruise control is activated, the segments from the set speed to the maximum speed light up in the multi-function display.
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You can operate cruise control and variable Speedtronic with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control lever indicates which system you have selected:
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You can store the current speed if you are driving faster than 30 km/h and ESP® is activated more.
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The first time cruise control is activated it stores the current speed or regulates the speed of the vehicle to the previously stored speed. |
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Press the cruise control lever up |
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Keep the cruise control lever pressed until the desired speed is reached. |
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There are several ways to deactivate cruise control:
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Briefly press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow |
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Variable Speedtronic
is selected. LIM indicator lamp |
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if, for example:
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the Cruise control off message in the multi-function display for approximately five seconds.
Distronic regulates the speed and automatically maintains the distance to the vehicle in front. It brakes automatically in order to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3. By doing so,you will make use of the braking effect of the engine, which relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.
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Risk of accident |
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Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. |
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If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front, Distronic causes your vehicle to brake and maintain a preset distance to the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, Distronic operates in the same way as cruise control. Distronic functions in the 30 km/h to 180 km/h range.
With the cruise control lever you can operate Distronic and variable Speedtronic.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control lever indicates which system you have selected:
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If Distronic is not activated after the cruise control lever is pressed, you will see the message - - - in the multi-function display.
You cannot activate Distronic in the following circumstances:
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Distronic is activated. The vehicle maintains the stored speed until the distance to the vehicle in front becomes too small. |
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Press the cruise
control lever up |
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Keep the cruise control lever pressed until the desired speed is reached. |
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For a higher
speed: briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you
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Keep the cruise
control lever pulled towards you
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Distronic is activated and accepts the current speed if it is activated for the first time, or adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored. |
You can set the specified minimum distance for Distronic by varying the time span between one and two seconds. This time span determines the distance that Distronic should maintain from the vehicle in front, depending on the road speed. You can read this distance in the multi-function display more.
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Distronic then maintains a greater distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. |
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Distronic then maintains a shorter distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. |
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Make sure that you maintain the minimum distance to the vehicle in front required by law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if necessary. |
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Even if Distronic is deactivated, this function warns you at speeds above 30 km/h if:
the distance to the
vehicle in front is too short for the speed you are driving at for several
seconds. The 
distance warning lamp in the instrument cluster then lights up.
you are approaching
a vehicle in front at too great a speed. You then hear an intermittent warning
tone, and the
distance warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
You must apply the brakes yourself in order to maintain the correct distance to the vehicle and to avoid a collision.
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Be especially observant of traffic conditions when the |
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Distronic does not always clearly recognise complex road and traffic conditions. You may then receive a false distance warning tone or none at all. |
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When Distronic is activated, one or two segments in the set speed range light up.
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For design reasons, the speed displayed in the speedometer may differ slightly from the speed set for Distronic. |
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If Distronic detects a vehicle in front, the segments between the speed of the vehicle in front and the stored speed light up.
You can read the current Distronic settings in the Distronic menu. The reading in the multi-function display depends on whether Distronic and the distance warning function are activated or deactivated.
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Press the
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When Distronic is deactivated you will see the standard Distronic display in the multi-function display.
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When Distronic is activated, the stored speed appears in the multi-function display for approximately five seconds. With Distronic activated, you will see the following in the multi-function display:
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Briefly press the
cruise control lever in the direction of arrow
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Variable
Speedtronic is selected. LIM indicator lamp
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You will see the Distronic off message in the multi-function display for approximately five seconds. The last speed stored is cleared when you switch off the engine. |
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Distronic is automatically deactivated if:
If Distronic is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the Distronic off message in the multi-function display for approximately five seconds.
The following contains descriptions of certain road and traffic conditions in which you must be particularly attentive. In such situations, brake if necessary. Distronic is then deactivated.
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The ability of Distronic to detect vehicles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may brake unexpectedly or belatedly.
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Distronic may not detect vehicles travelling on a different line. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
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Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle cutting in. The distance to this vehicle will be too short.
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Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle in front on the edge of the carriageway, because of its relatively narrow width. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
Speedtronic brakes automatically so that you do not exceed the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must shift to a lower gear in good time or select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in vehicles with automatic transmission*. By doing so you will make use of the braking effect of the engine, which relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
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Risk of accident |
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Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. |
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You can set a variable or permanent limit speed:
Permanent for long-term speed restrictions, e.g. for driving on winter tyres more
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Speedtronic is only an aid designed to assist driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's speed and for braking in good time. |
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With the cruise control lever, you can operate cruise control, Distronic* and variable Speedtronic.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control lever indicates which system you have selected:
You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running.
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You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running.
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The current speed is stored. The stored speed, e.g. LIM km/h, appears in the multi-function display. The segments in the speedometer from the start of the scale up to the stored speed light up. |
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For a higher
speed: briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you
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or |
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Keep the cruise
control lever pulled towards you
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There are several ways to deactivate variable Speedtronic:
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Briefly press the
cruise control lever in the direction of arrow
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LIM indicator lamp
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Variable Speedtronic is deactivated automatically when you depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown) but only if your current speed does not differ by more than 20 km/h from the stored speed. You will hear a warning tone if this is the case.
You can use the on-board computer to limit the speed permanently to a value between 160 km/h (e.g. for driving with winter tyres) and the maximum speed.
Shortly before the stored speed is reached it is shown in the multi-function display.
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed, even if you depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
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Press
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HOLD relieves the strain on the driver:
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and HOLD deactivated when you depress the accelerator pedal to pull away.
You can activate HOLD if:
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If depressing the brake pedal the first time does not activate HOLD, wait briefly and then try again. |
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The vehicle's brakes are applied when HOLD is activated. For this reason, deactivate HOLD if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or by towing). |
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HOLD is deactivated if:
you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic transmission*, only if the selector lever is in position D or R.
the selector lever is moved to P on vehicles with automatic transmission*
you release the brakes completely and apply them again with a certain amount of pressure until the HOLD message in the multi-function display goes out
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If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate HOLD and secure the vehicle against rolling away. |
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You will see a warning message in the multi-function display if HOLD is activated and:
Vehicles with manual transmission:
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Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly until the warning message in the multi-function display goes out. This deactivates HOLD. |
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Selector lever in park position
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Move the selector lever to P to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. |
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HOLD is deactivated. The warning message in the multi-function display goes out. |
A horn will also sound at regular intervals if HOLD is activated and you:
The horn draws your attention to the fact that the vehicle has been parked while HOLD is still activated. The sound becomes louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle. The vehicle is not locked until HOLD is deactivated.
If there is a fault in the system or power supply while HOLD is activated, the Brake immediately message appears in the multi-function display. Immediately depress the brake firmly until the warning message disappears from the multi-function display, or in vehicles with automatic transmission*, move the selector lever to P. This deactivates HOLD.
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride height to reduce petrol consumption and improve driving safety.
The following vehicle levels are possible:
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be set manually.
The "Lowered" vehicle level is set automatically:
if you have selected "Sports tuning I or II" more
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
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Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the wheel housing or under the vehicle while lowering the vehicle when it is stationary. Otherwise, limbs could become trapped. |
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If indicator lamp is not lit:
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Indicator lamp
The Vehicle rising message appears in the multi-function display |
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The "Raised Level" setting is cancelled, if: If you do not drive at such speeds, the raised level remains stored, even when the key is removed from the ignition lock. |
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AIRMATIC DC (dual control) is comprised of two components: the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) and spring stiffness adjustment.
ADS automatically regulates the suspension as appropriate to particular driving conditions. Parallel to this, the spring stiffness switches between "comfort" and "sports" levels.
The damping/spring stiffness settings are dependent on:
Your selection remains stored even if you remove the key from the ignition lock.
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A message appears in the multi-function display for approximately five seconds once you have selected a damping program, for example:
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4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are permanently driven. Together with ESP®, it improves the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
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In wintry driving conditions, the maximum effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow chains if necessary. |
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Risk of injury |
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Make sure that no persons or animals are in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they could be injured. |
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Parktronic is an electronic parking aid. It indicates visually and audibly the distance between your vehicle and an object.
Parktronic is automatically activated when you switch on the ignition and release the parking brake.
Parktronic is deactivated at speeds above 18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
Parktronic monitors the area around your vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper and four sensors in the rear bumper.
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The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and slush, otherwise they may not function correctly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch or damage them.
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Side view: Saloon shown as an example
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Top view: Saloon shown as an example
If there is an obstacle within this range, all warning displays light up and a tone sounds. If the distance falls below the minimum clearance, it may no longer be shown.
The warning displays show the distance between the sensors and the obstacle. The warning display for the front area is located on the dashboard above the centre air vents. The warning display for the rear area is in the roof trim at the rear.
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Front area warning display
The warning display for each side of the vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red segments. Parktronic is operational
if yellow indicator segments 
light up.
The gear lever or selector lever position* determines which warning display is active:
Manual transmission:
One or more segments light up as the vehicle approaches an obstacle, depending on the vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
sixth segment onwards, you will hear an intermittent warning tone for approximately two seconds.
seventh segment onwards, you will hear a warning tone for approximately two seconds. You have reached the minimum distance.
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If indicator lamp 
is on, Parktronic is deactivated.
Parktronic is deactivated for the rear area when you establish an electrical connection between your vehicle and the trailer.
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Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow hitch is not required. Parktronic measures the minimum detection range to an obstacle from the bumper, not the ball coupling. |
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Date of printing:
03/21/2010Interactive Owner's Manual [In depth | Controls | Driving systems]
Owner's Manual version: ÄJ 2008/1 b
Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.
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or
button
repeatedly until one of the following two displays appears in the
multi-function display.
to select the
button to call
up the selection of submenus.
or
button to select
the