2011 Mercedes-benz GL Class Owners Manual

depressing the brake pedal when driving at high speed. This also improves the brake pads' friction. G Warning Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when you apply the brakes.

You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS) on (Y page 66).

Parking brake If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered surfaces, road salt and/or dirt could get into the parking brake. In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction in the braking power of the parking brake, observe the following: Rgently depress the parking brake from time

to time before beginning the journey. Rdrive approximately 110 yd (100 m)

without exceeding a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). G Warning! While performing this procedure please assure that the vehicle is stopped before applying the parking brake. Otherwise the rear wheels could lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged.

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Off-road fording

: Fording depth

Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package

Raised level

Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering package

Off-road level 3

Off-road level 2

Off-road level 1

Fording depth

20 in. (50 cm)

20 in. (50 cm) 20 in. (50 cm) 23.6 in. (60 cm)

REstablish how deep the water is and the

characteristics of the body of water before fording.

RSelect the highest possible vehicle level. RSelect the off-road drive program

(Y page 204) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157).

RSelect the off-road drive program

(Y page 204).

RRestrict the shift range to 1 or 2. RAvoid high engine speeds. REnter and exit the water at a flat place and

at a steady walking pace.

! Under no circumstances should you

accelerate before entering the water. The bow wave could cause water to enter and damage the engine and other assemblies. RDrive slowly and at an even speed through

the water.

RDo not stop. ! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while fording. Otherwise, water could get into the vehicle interior and damage the vehicle's electronics and interior equipment.

RWater offers a high degree of resistance,

and the ground is slippery and in some cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and dangerous to pull away in the water.

REnsure that a bow wave does not form as

you drive.

RClean any mud from the tire tread after

fording.

RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.

Winter driving Important safety notes Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, at the onset of winter. Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 173). i Vehicles with a diesel engine: do not

cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective cover. The measuring function of the Onboard Diagnosis System may otherwise provide inaccurate values. Some of these values are required by law and must therefore always be accurate.

Winter tires Use winter tires at temperatures below 45 ‡ (7 †) and on snow or ice-covered roads. Only winter tires also bearing the i

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snowflake symbol next to the M+S marking provide the best-possible grip in wintry road conditions. Only these tires will allow the ABS and ESP® driving systems to function optimally in winter, as these tires have been designed specifically for driving on snow. Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on all wheels to maintain safe handling characteristics. G Warning M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6
inch (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no longer suitable for winter operation.

Always observe the maximum permissible speed specified for the M+S tires you have installed. Once you have installed the winter tires: X Check the tire pressures (Y page 339). X Restart the tire pressure monitor

(Y page 341). G Warning If you use your spare wheel when M+S tires are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that the difference in tire characteristics may very well impair turning stability and that overall driving stability may be reduced. Adapt your driving style accordingly. Have the spare wheel replaced by a regular road wheel with an M+S tire at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Snow chains For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use snow chains which have been specially approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding standard of quality. ! Vehicles with the Adaptive Damping

System (ADS): do not drive in ADS SPORT mode if snow chains have been mounted. The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.

! There is not enough space for snow

chains on some wheel sizes. Observe the information under "Tires and wheels" in the "Technical Data" section to avoid damage to the vehicle or the wheels.

ROnly use snow chains when driving on an area completely covered by snow. Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove the snow chains as soon as possible when you are no longer driving on snow-covered roads.

RLocal regulations may restrict the use of snow chains. Applicable regulations must be observed if you wish to mount snow chains.

RSnow chains must not be mounted on

emergency spare wheels.

If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear the following points in mind: Ryou may not attach snow chains to all

wheel-tire combinations; see the "Tires and wheels" section in the "Technical data" chapter.

Rmount snow chains only in pairs and only

on the rear wheels. Observe the manufacturer's installation instructions.

! If snow chains are mounted on the front

wheels, the snow chains could grind against the bodywork or components of the chassis. This could result in damage to the vehicle or the tires.

! Vehicles with steel wheels

If you wish to mount snow chains to steel wheels, make sure that you remove the respective wheels' hubcaps first. The hubcaps may otherwise be damaged.

i You may wish to deactivate

ESP®(Y page 66) when pulling away with snow chains installed. This way you can allow the wheels to spin in a controlled manner, achieving an increased driving force (cutting action).

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Slippery road surfaces G Warning If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle with the engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death. To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a window slightly on the side of the vehicle not facing the wind. G Warning! The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of control loss. Do not engage the transfer case in position LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle steering is adversely affected by the Off-road ABS.

You should drive particularly carefully on slippery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control. If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed: X Shift the transmission to position N. i For more information on driving with

snow chains, see (Y page 172).

G Warning Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when you apply the brakes.

Driving off-road Important safety notes G Warning! Grains of sand, particles of dirt and other abrasive materials can enter the brake system. This can lead to excessive wear and unpredictable braking efficiency. After the brakes have been exposed to dirty conditions, have them checked and cleaned at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise, there is a risk that braking power may be insufficient in the event of an emergency, or that the braking effect may be unpredictable. G Warning! Do not load items on the crossbars. It may cause instability during some maneuvers which could result in an accident. Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will make it easier to recognize unexpected obstacles and avoid damage to the vehicle. To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear. Do not drive along the side of a slope. The vehicle might otherwise rollover. If in doing so the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll, immediately steer into a line of gravity (straight up or downhill). Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle. You may lose control of the vehicle if you use only the service brake. For information on driving downhill, see “Driving downhill”.

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G Warning! Please be aware that by raising the vehicle level, the center of gravity also rises. Therefore, always ensure that the vehicle level is as low as possible. With higher ride height the ESP® may activate earlier in certain situations. G Warning! Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure before driving through sand. However, if you do so, remember to correct the tire inflation pressure before continuing your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation pressure increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle and rolling over.

General information Read this section before driving your vehicle off-road. Practice by traveling over more gentle off-road terrain first. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of your vehicle and the gear change process before driving through difficult terrain. The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving: Roff-road drive program (vehicles without the Off-Road Pro engineering package) (Y page 204)

RLOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157) Roff-road ABS (Y page 66) Roff-road 4ETS (Y page 67) Roff-road ESP®(Y page 68) Rhill start assist Rdifferential locks (Y page 207) RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)

(Y page 203)

Observe the following notes: Rstop your vehicle and, if necessary, select the off-road drive program (Y page 204) or

the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157) before driving off-road.

Rselect a vehicle level that is suitable for the terrain. Make sure there is always sufficient ground clearance to prevent damage to the vehicle.

Ractivate the differential lock if necessary. Rmake sure that items of luggage and cargo

are stowed safely and are well secured (Y page 268).

Ralways keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate DSR (Y page 203).

Ralways keep the doors, tailgate, windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof closed while the vehicle is in motion.

Radapt the speed to suit the terrain

conditions. The more uneven, worn or steeper the terrain is, the slower you should drive.

Rdrive slowly and at an even speed through the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive.

Rdrive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-

road routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route.

Rlook out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,

tree stumps and furrows.

Rcheck the depth of water before fording

rivers and streams.

Rdo not stop in water and do not switch the

engine off.

Rdrive quickly on sand to overcome the

rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.

Rdo not jump with the vehicle. This

interrupts the vehicle's traction.

Ralways keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on slopes.

Rdo not shift the automatic transmission to

transmission position N.

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Check list before driving off-road X Engine oil level: check the engine oil and

top it up if necessary. The oil supply can only be guaranteed on steep slopes if the engine oil level is sufficient.

! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up

while the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Check the engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp warning must not be ignored. Continuing the journey while the symbol is displayed could lead to engine damage. X Wheel-changing tool kit: check that the jack is working and make sure you have the wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a folding spade in the vehicle.

X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. A table with the recommended tire pressures can be found on the B-pillar on the driver's side of your vehicle.

X Check for damage and remove any foreign

objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/tires.

X Replace any missing valve caps. X Replace dented or damaged wheels. X Wheels: dented or deformed wheels could result in a loss of tire pressure and damage the tire bead. Therefore, check the wheels before driving off-road and replace them if necessary.

Check list after driving off-road G Warning If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage to your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the hazard warning flashers, carefully slow down, and drive with caution to an area which is a safe distance from the road. Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody for possible damage. If the vehicle appears

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175

unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer for repairs.

Driving over rough terrain places greater demands on your vehicle than driving on normal roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and other road users. X Deactivate the off-road drive program

(Y page 204) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157).

X Deactivate DSR (Y page 203). X Set the differential lock setting to AUTO on

the selector wheel (Y page 207).

X Lower the vehicle level again to a level

suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the highway/high-speed level.

X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and

check for damage.

X Clean the front and rear license plates. X Clean the wheels/tires, wheel arch and the

underbody with a water jet. Check for damage and remove any foreign objects.

X After the trip, examine without fail the

entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes, bodywork structure, steering, chassis and exhaust system for damage.

X Check whether twigs or other parts of

plants have become trapped. These increase the risk of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bellows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.

X After driving for extended periods across sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty conditions, have the brake discs, wheels, brake pads/linings and axle joints checked and cleaned.

X If you detect strong vibrations after off-road

travel, check for foreign objects in the wheels and drive train and remove them if

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necessary. Foreign objects can disturb the balance and cause vibrations.

X Test the brakes.

Driving on sand G Warning! Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure before driving through sand. However, if you do so, remember to correct the tire inflation pressure before continuing your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation pressure increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle and rolling over.

Observe the following rules when driving on sand: Rselect a higher vehicle level. Ravoid high engine speeds. Rselect a shift range appropriate to the

terrain.

Rdrive quickly to overcome the rolling

resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.

Rdrive in the tracks of other vehicles if

possible. Make sure that the ruts are not too deep, that the sand is firm enough and that your vehicle has sufficient ground clearance.

Tire ruts and gravel roads Observe the following rules when driving along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose gravel: ! Check that the ruts are not too deep and that your vehicle has sufficient clearance. Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or bottom out and get stuck.

Rselect the off-road drive program

(Y page 204) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157).

Rselect a higher vehicle level. Ravoid high engine speeds. Rselect shift range 1.

Rdrive slowly. Rwhere ruts are too deep, drive with the

wheels on one side on the middle section of turf if possible.

Crossing obstacles

! Obstacles could damage the floor of the vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask passengers for guidance when driving over large obstacles. The passenger should always keep a safe distance from the vehicle when doing so in order to avoid injury as a result of unexpected vehicle movements. After driving off-road or over obstacles, check the vehicle for possible damage, especially to the underbody and the components of the chassis.

Observe the following rules when driving over tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles: Rselect the off-road drive program

(Y page 204) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 157).

Ravoid high engine speeds. Rselect shift range 1. Rdrive very slowly. Rdrive straight over the center of obstacles:

front wheel first, then rear wheel.

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Driving in mountainous terrain Approach/departure angle

: Approach/departure angle, front ; Approach/departure angle, rear Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package Raised level Highway level

Vehicles with Advanced Off-Road package Off-road level 3
Off-road level 2
Off-road level 1
Highway level

31° 26°

32° 31° 28° 26°

26° 21°

27° 26° 23° 21°

RComply with the rules for off-road driving. RDo not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or gradients, but instead follow the direct line of fall. The maximum gradient-climbing capability of your vehicle is 100%, which corresponds to an approach/departure angle of 45°. Note that the vehicle's gradient-climbing capability depends on the off-road conditions.

RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients, select shift range 1. RDrive slowly. RAvoid high engine speeds – drive at a suitable engine speed (maximum 3000 rpm). RUse the braking power of the engine when driving down a slope. Observe the engine speed,

do not overrev the engine.

RCheck the brakes after driving off-road for a long time.

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G Warning! Never turn the vehicle around on steep inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear.

i Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on a hill. For more information, see "Hill start assist" (Y page 150).

Maximum gradient climbing ability On good road surfaces, the maximum gradient climbing capability of your vehicle is 100%, which corresponds to an approach/ departure angle of 45°. Note that the vehicle's gradient-climbing capability depends on the off-road conditions. Accelerate carefully and make sure that the wheels do not spin when driving on steep terrain. i If the load on the front axle is reduced

when pulling away on a steep uphill slope, the front wheels have a tendency to spin. 4ETS recognizes this and brakes the wheels accordingly. The rear wheel torque is increased and it is easier to pull away.

i Vehicles with an Advanced Off-road

package have a differential lock for the transfer case and a differential lock for the rear axle to improve vehicle traction.

Hilltops When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly reduce pressure on the accelerator immediately before reaching the brow of the hill. Make use of the vehicle's own impetus to travel over the brow. This style of driving prevents: Rthe vehicle from lifting off the ground on the

brow of a hill

Rloss of traction Rthe vehicle from traveling too quickly down

the other side

Driving downhill RDrive slowly. RDo not drive at an angle down steep

inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive with the front wheels aligned straight. Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and rollover.

RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1.

RActivate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake gently. When doing so, make sure that the vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of fall.

RCheck that the brakes are working normally

after a long downhill stretch.

i The special off-road ABS setting enables the front wheels to be locked accurately, briefly and repeatedly, causing them to dig into the loose ground. Note that when the front wheels are fully braked, they slide easily over the ground surface and therefore steering is impaired.

Driving abroad An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is also available in other countries. The Service Hotline's current telephone numbers for use when you are abroad are to be found in the "Service24h" section of the Service Booklet.

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Driving systems Cruise control Important safety notes 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 select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. 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. 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 20 mph (30 km/h). G Warning The cruise control is a convenience system designed to assist the driver during vehicle operation. The driver is and must always remain responsible for the vehicle's speed and for safe brake operation. Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic, and weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a constant speed. RThe use of the cruise control can be

dangerous on winding roads or in heavy traffic because conditions do not allow safe driving at a constant speed.

RThe use of the cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction can result in wheel spin and loss of control.

RDeactivate the cruise control when driving

in fog.

The "Resume" function should only be operated if the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.

G Warning When cruise control brakes, the brake pedal is pulled back (i.e. operated automatically). The area around the pedal must not be blocked by obstacles: RDo not place any objects in the footwell. REnsure that floormats and carpets are fixed securely. In particular, do not place several floormats on top of one another.

RDo not place your foot under the brake

pedal, as it could become trapped.

Non-compliance could lead you to cause an accident in which you and/or others could be seriously injured.

i Cruise control should not be activated

during off-road driving.

Cruise control lever

: To store the current speed or a higher

speed

; To store the current speed or a lower

speed

= To deactivate cruise control ? To store the current speed or to call up

the last stored speed

When you activate cruise control, the stored speed is shown in the status indicator of the multifunction display: RUSA only: e.g. CRUISE 55 Miles RCanada only: e.g. ¯90 Km/h

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Storing and maintaining the current speed You can store the current speed if you are driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h). X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired

speed.

X Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ; to the pressure point. X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. Cruise control is activated. The vehicle automatically maintains the stored speed. i Cruise control may be unable to maintain the stored speed on uphill gradients. The stored speed is resumed when the gradient evens out. Cruise control maintains the stored speed on downhill gradients by automatically applying the brakes.

Storing the current speed or calling up the last speed stored G Warning The set speed stored in memory should only be set again if prevailing road conditions and legal speed limits permit. Possible acceleration or deceleration differences arising from returning to the preset speed could cause an accident and/or serious injury to you and others.

X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?.

X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. The first time cruise control is activated, it stores the current speed or regulates the speed of the vehicle to the previously stored speed.

Setting a speed G Warning Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment until the vehicle has made the necessary adjustments. Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to a value that the prevailing road conditions and legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and unexpected acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle could cause an accident and/ or serious injury to you and others.

X Press the cruise control lever to the

pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.

X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until

the desired speed is reached.

X Release the cruise control lever.

The new speed is stored.

i Cruise control is not deactivated if you

depress the accelerator pedal. For example, if you accelerate briefly to overtake, cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after you have finished overtaking.

Setting in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed. The last speed stored is increased or reduced.

Setting in 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments X Briefly press the cruise control lever

beyond the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed. The last speed stored is increased or reduced.

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Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise control: X Briefly press the cruise control lever

forwards =.

or X Brake. Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: Ryou depress the parking brake. Ryou are driving below 20 mph (30 km/h). RESP® intervenes or you deactivate ESP®. Ryou shift the transmission to position N

while driving. If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the Cruise control Off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds. i The last speed stored is cleared when you

switch off the engine.

DISTRONIC Important safety notes DISTRONIC regulates the speed and automatically helps you maintain the distance to the vehicle detected 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
in good time. 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 a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front, DISTRONIC causes your vehicle to brake and maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front.

G Warning! The Distronic requires familiarity with its operational characteristics. We strongly recommend that you review the following information carefully before operating the system. G Warning When DISTRONIC brakes, the brake pedal is pulled back (i.e. operated automatically). The area around the pedal must not be blocked by obstacles: Rdo not place any objects in the footwell. Rensure that floormats and carpets are fixed securely. In particular, do not place several floormats on top of one another.

Rdo not place your foot under the brake

pedal, as it could become trapped.

Non-compliance could lead you to cause an accident in which you and/or others could be seriously injured. G Warning! The Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed adjustment reduction capability is intended to make cruise control more effective and usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not however, intended to, nor does it, replace the need for extreme care. The responsibility for the vehicle’s speed, distance to the preceding vehicle and, most importantly, brake operation to ensure a safe stopping distance, always remains with the driver. The Distronic cannot take street and traffic conditions into account. Complex driving situations are not always fully recognized by the Distronic. This could result in wrong or missing distance warnings.

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC operates in the same way as cruise control in the speed range between 20 mph (30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h). If there is a vehicle in front, DISTRONIC operates in

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the speed range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h). Do not use DISTRONIC while driving on roads with steep gradients. G Warning DISTRONIC distance control is not a substitute for the driver's active involvement. It does not react to pedestrians or stationary objects and cannot detect or predict the road's course and the movements of the vehicles in front. DISTRONIC can only brake using 40% of the vehicle's maximum possible braking force. The driver must always pay attention to road, weather and traffic conditions. He must steer, brake and drive the vehicle so that he maintains control over it. High-frequency sources such as toll stations, velocity measurement systems, etc. may cause DISTRONIC to malfunction. G Warning! The Distronic cannot take road and traffic conditions into account. Only use the Distronic if the road, weather and traffic conditions make it advisable to travel at a constant speed. G Warning! Use of the Distronic can be dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction can result in wheel spin and loss of control. The Distronic does not function in adverse sight and distance conditions. Do not use the Distronic during conditions of fog, heavy rain, snow or sleet. G Warning! The Distronic cannot take weather conditions into account. Switch off the Distronic or do not switch it on if: Rroads are slippery or covered with snow or

ice. The wheels could lose traction while

braking or accelerating, and the vehicle could skid.

Rthe Distronic system sensor cover is dirty or visibility is diminished due to snow, rain or fog, for example. The distance control system functionality could be impaired. Always pay attention to surrounding traffic conditions even while the Distronic is switched on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recognize dangerous situations until it is too late. This could cause an accident in which you and/or others could be injured. G Warning! The "Resume" function should only be operated if the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed and wishes to resume this particular preset speed. G Warning! Close attention to road and traffic conditions is imperative at all times, regardless of whether or not the Distronic is activated. Use of the Distronic can be dangerous on winding roads or in heavy traffic because conditions do not allow safe driving at a constant speed. The Distronic will not react to stationary objects in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). The Distronic will also not respond to oncoming vehicles. Switch off the Distronic Rwhen changing from the left to the right

lane if vehicles are moving more slowly in the left lane

Rwhen entering a turn lane or highway off

ramp

Rin complex driving situations, such as in

highway construction zones

In these situations, the Distronic will continue to maintain the set speed unless deactivated. The Distronic is designed and intended only to maintain a set speed and keep a set distance from moving objects in front of it.

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i USA only:

This device has been approved by the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar sensor is intended for use in an automotive radar system only. Removing, tampering with, or altering the device will void any warranties, and is forbidden by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter or use in any non- approved way. Any unauthorized modification to this device may invalidate the vehicle's general operating permit.

Cruise control lever

: To store the current speed or a higher

speed

; To store the current speed or a lower

speed

= To deactivate DISTRONIC ? To store the current speed or to call up

the last stored speed

Activating DISTRONIC, storing and maintaining the current speed G Warning! The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC is activated. For this reason, deactivate DISTRONIC if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or by towing).

You can activate DISTRONIC in the following circumstances: Rif the engine has been started and you have

been driving for up to two minutes Rwhile driving, except if you brake Rif the parking brake is not applied Rif ESP® is activated Rif the transmission is in position D Activating while driving When driving at speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), you can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected and is shown in the multifunction display. If the vehicle in front is not shown in the multifunction display and is no longer being detected, because it has changed lanes, for example, DISTRONIC is deactivated and you hear a warning tone. X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you ? or press it up : or down ; to the pressure point. DISTRONIC is activated.

X Keep the cruise control lever pressed

up : or down ; until the desired speed is set.

X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front, but only up to the desired stored speed.

i You can use the cruise control lever to set the stored speed and the thumbwheel on the cruise control lever to set the specified minimum distance (Y page 185). i If you do not fully release the accelerator pedal, the DISTRONIC Override message appears in the multifunction display. The set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in front will then not be maintained. You will be driving at the speed you determine by the position of the accelerator pedal.

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Driving If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC operates in the same way as cruise control. If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front, DISTRONIC causes your vehicle to brake and maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front. If DISTRONIC detects a faster-moving vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed, but only up to the desired speed you have stored. G Warning! If you depress the brake pedal, DISTRONIC is deactivated. DISTRONIC will then no longer brake your vehicle. In such cases, control the distance from vehicles traveling in front with the brake alone. You could otherwise cause an accident and thereby injure yourself and others. The driver remains fully responsible for the vehicle's distance from other vehicles, the speed being driven and for braking in good time.

Stopping G Warning! DISTRONIC must never be operated, activated or deactivated by a passenger or from outside the vehicle.

If DISTRONIC detects that the vehicle in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is stationary. i Depending on the specified minimum

distance, your vehicle will come to a standstill at a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in front. The specified minimum distance is set using the thumbwheel on the cruise-control lever.

DISTRONIC is deactivated automatically when stopping: Ron flat stretches of road or on downhill gradients when the vehicle is stationary Rwhile the vehicle is still moving on uphill

gradients, to prevent the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling back when DISTRONIC is deactivated

If DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. X To prevent the vehicle from rolling away,

apply the foot brake or parking brake.

Setting a speed G Warning Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment until the vehicle has made the necessary adjustments. Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to a value that the prevailing road conditions and legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and unexpected acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle could cause an accident and/ or serious injury to you and others.

X Press the cruise control lever to the

pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.

X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until

the desired speed is reached.

X Release the cruise control lever.

The new speed is stored. DISTRONIC is activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed to the new speed stored.

Setting in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments X Briefly press the cruise control lever to the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed. The last speed stored is increased or reduced.

Setting in 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments X Briefly press the cruise control lever

beyond the pressure point, up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed. The last speed stored is increased or reduced.

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Storing the current speed or calling up the last speed stored G Warning The set speed stored in memory should only be set again if prevailing road conditions and legal speed limits permit. Possible acceleration or deceleration differences arising from returning to the preset speed could cause an accident and/or serious injury to you and others.

X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?.

X Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal. 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.

Setting the specified minimum distance 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 see this distance in the multifunction display (Y page 186). G Warning! It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to select the appropriate setting given road conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving style and applicable laws and driving recommendations for safe following distance.

X To increase: turn thumbwheel ; towards

=. DISTRONIC then maintains a greater distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

X To decrease: turn thumbwheel ;

towards :. DISTRONIC then maintains a shorter distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

i Make sure that you maintain the

minimum distance to the vehicle in front as required by law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if necessary.

DISTRONIC displays in the speedometer

When DISTRONIC is activated, one or two segments in the set speed range light up. i 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, segments ; between the speed of the vehicle in front : and stored speed = light up. G Warning! An intermittent warning sounds and the distance warning lamp · in the instrument cluster is illuminated if the Distronic system calculates that the distance to the vehicle ahead and your vehicle’s current speed indicate that the Distronic will not be capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to maintain the preset following distance, which creates a danger of a collision. Immediately brake the vehicle to increase your distance to the preceding vehicle. The warning sound is intended as a final caution in which you should intercede with your own braking inputs to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Do not wait for the operation of the warning signal to intercede with your own braking. This will result in potentially dangerous emergency braking which will not always result in an impact being avoided. Tailgating increases the risk of an accident. G Warning DISTRONIC brakes your vehicle with a maximum deceleration of 13 ft/s2(4 m/s2). This corresponds to approximately 40% of your vehicle's maximum possible braking power. You must apply the brakes yourself to avoid a collision. DISTRONIC brakes the vehicle to restore the set distance to the vehicle in front or to restore the set speed. In this case, the brake pedal is depressed automatically, which can be seen by a movement of the brake pedal. Always keep the driver's footwell clear, including the area under the brake pedal. Objects in this area may impair pedal movement and cause the DISTRONIC braking function to malfunction.

Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your foot could become caught.

DISTRONIC displays in the multifunction display X Press the V or U button to select the DISTRONIC menu (Y page 217). Display when DISTRONIC is switched off When DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will see the following in the multifunction display:

: Vehicle in front, if detected ; Distance indicator, displaying current

distance to the vehicle in front

= Specified minimum distance to the

vehicle in front, adjustable

? Own vehicle Display when DISTRONIC is activated After this time, you will see the following in the multifunction display while DISTRONIC is activated:

: DISTRONIC activated ; Stored speed When activating DISTRONIC and when setting the speed, stored speed ; appears for around five seconds.

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After approximately five seconds, current saved speed ; is displayed in the status indicator in the multifunction display: RUSA only: DTR XXX Miles RCanada only: DTR XXX km/h Deactivating DISTRONIC

There are a number of ways to deactivate DISTRONIC: X Briefly press the cruise control lever

forwards :.

or X Brake. i The last speed stored remains stored until

you switch off the engine.

i DISTRONIC is not deactivated if you depress the accelerator pedal. If you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after you have finished overtaking.

DISTRONIC is automatically deactivated if: Ryou apply the parking brake. Ryou are driving slower than 20 mph

(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front, or if the vehicle in front is no longer detected.

RESP® intervenes or if you deactivate ESP®. Ryou shift the transmission to P, R or N. If DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC Off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds.

Tips for driving with DISTRONIC 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. G Warning! The Distronic works to maintain the speed selected by the driver unless a moving obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the same travel direction is detected (e.g. following another vehicle ahead of you at your set distance). This means that: RYour vehicle can pass another vehicle after

you have changed lanes.

RWhile in a sharp turn or if the preceding vehicle is in a sharp turn, the Distronic could lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your vehicle could then accelerate to the previously selected speed.

The Distronic regulates only the distance between your vehicle and those directly ahead of it, but does not register stationary objects in the road, e.g.: Ra stopped vehicle in a traffic jam Ra disabled vehicle Ran oncoming vehicle The driver must always be alert, observe all traffic and intercede as required by means of steering or braking the vehicle. G Warning! The Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road conditions.

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Cornering, going into and coming out of a bend

DISTRONIC has not detected the vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle will be too short. Narrow vehicles

The ability of DISTRONIC to detect vehicles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late. Vehicles traveling on a different line

DISTRONIC has not yet detected the vehicle in front on the edge of the road, because of its narrow width. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short. Obstructions and stationary vehicles

DISTRONIC may not detect vehicles traveling on a different line. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short. Other vehicles changing lane

DISTRONIC does not brake for obstructions or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC will not brake for these.

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Crossing vehicles

DISTRONIC may detect vehicles that are crossing your lane by mistake. Activating DISTRONIC at, for example, a traffic light with crossing traffic, could cause your vehicle to pull away at the wrong time.

Level control Important safety guidelines Level control automatically adapts the vehicle level to the current operating and driving situation. This results in reduced fuel consumption and improved handling. Vehicles with ADS: when you are driving in ADS COMF or ADS AUTO(Y page 194), the vehicle is automatically lowered to high- speed level as the speed increases. As the vehicle speed decreases, the vehicle is raised back up to highway level. In ADS SPORT(Y page 194), the vehicle skips highway level and is lowered directly to high- speed level. Make changes to the vehicle level while the vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle to adjust to the new level as quickly as possible. The vehicle level may change visibly if you park the vehicle and the outside temperature changes. If the temperature drops, the vehicle level is lower; with an increase in temperature, the vehicle level rises. When you unlock the vehicle or open a door, the vehicle begins to balance the load

discrepancies while still parked. However, for significant level changes, e.g. after the vehicle has been stationary for a long period, the engine must be on. For safety reasons, the vehicle is only lowered when the doors are closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is opened, and it continues once the door has been closed. G Warning! Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody when changing the vehicle level. You could otherwise trap yourself or others. G Warning! Always select as low a vehicle level as possible. If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle center of gravity shifts upwards. This increases the risk of the vehicle tipping over. Adapt your driving style to suit the vehicle level. ESP® cannot reduce the risk of an accident if you drive too fast. ESP® cannot override the laws of physics.

! When driving on extremely rough terrain,

select a high vehicle level in good time. Make sure that there is always sufficient ground clearance to prevent damage to the vehicle.

! Remove the key from the ignition before

raising one or more wheels with the appropriate equipment.

Information on "Off-road driving"; see (Y page 173).

Vehicles without the extended Off-Road Pro engineering package Basic setting The extent to which the vehicle is raised or lowered depends on the basic setting selected. Select: RRaised level for off-road driving RHighway/high-speed level for normal roads

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The individual vehicle levels differ from highway level as follows: R+2.3 in (+ 60 mm) in raised level R+/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in highway level26
R–0.6 in (–15 mm) in high-speed level Raised level Only select raised level if this is appropriate for the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consumption increases and handling may be affected. Your selection remains stored even if you remove the key from the ignition lock.

Once the raised level has been reached, you will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you have not previously selected the off- road menu (Y page 220) in the on-board computer, the message disappears after about five seconds. Highway/high-speed level ! Make sure that there is enough ground

clearance when the vehicle is being lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging the underbody.

X Start the engine. If indicator lamp ; is not lit: X Press button :.

The vehicle rises to raised level.

While the adjustment is taking place, a message appears in the multifunction display, e.g.:

If you press the V, U, & or * button on the multifunction steering wheel, the message will disappear.

26 Ground clearance: 8.5 in (217 mm).

X Start the engine. If indicator lamp ; is lit: X Press button :.

The vehicle adjusts to highway level. While the adjustment is taking place, a message appears in the multifunction display, e.g.:

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If you press the V, U, & or * button on the multifunction steering wheel, the message will disappear. Once highway level has been reached, all indicator lamps = go out. You will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you have not previously selected the off- road menu (Y page 220) in the on-board computer, the message disappears after about five seconds. The vehicle automatically selects highway level if you are driving faster than 55 mph (88 km/h). Depending on the ADS setting, the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at speeds higher than this. i If you are towing a trailer, the vehicle is

not lowered to high-speed level.

Vehicles with the extended Off-Road Pro engineering package Basic settings The extent to which the vehicle is raised or lowered depends on the basic setting selected. Select: ROff-road level 3 for freeing the vehicle in

impassable terrain at low speeds only

ROff-road level 2 for driving on normal off-

road terrain

ROff-road level 1 for driving on easily

negotiable off-road terrain

RHighway/high-speed level for normal roads

The individual vehicle levels differ from highway level as follows: R+3.5 in (+ 90 mm) in off-road level 3
R+2.3 in (+ 60 mm) in off-road level 2
R+1.2 in (+ 30 mm) in off-road level 1
R+/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in highway level R–0.6 in (–15 mm) in high-speed level Off-road levels G Warning! Vehicle off-road level 3 is not intended for use on paved roads. This vehicle level is intended for clearing impracticable situations at low speed exclusively. The vehicle has a very high center of gravity in off-road level 3. This increases the overturning hazard. RSelect off-road level 3 exclusively for

clearing impracticable situations at low speed.

RAdapt your driving style to the modified

conditions.

RDo not exceed a speed of 12 mph

(20 km/h).

RAvoid extreme, quick steering movements. RKeep in mind the vehicle’s driving

characteristics are modified.

You should therefore drive in off-road level 3
with particular caution as it could otherwise lead to an accident and/or serious injury to you or others.

If you are driving too fast in off-road level 3, the Reduce speed to under 12 mph (20 Km/h) message appears in the multifunction display. You also hear a warning. The vehicle is lowered. i You cannot clear these messages. Only select an off-road level when this is appropriate for road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consumption increases and handling may be affected. Your selection remains stored even if you