MERCEDES-BENZ E-SEDAN 2014 Owners Manual

R
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
R Crossing vehicles
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short. Other vehicles changing lanes DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the
vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this
vehicle will be too short.
Narrow vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS 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 PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z
ProCarManuals.com

example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist aids you in
keeping the vehicle in the center of the driving
lane by means of moderate steering
interventions at speeds of 0 - 125 mph
(0 - 200 km/h).
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist monitors
the area in front of your vehicle by means of
camera system :, at the top of the
windshield. At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h)
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist focuses on
lane markings that are present.
At speeds of 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h)
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist focuses on
the vehicle in front, taking into account lane
markings, e.g. when following vehicles in a
traffic jam.
DISTRONIC PLUS must be active in order for
the Steering Assist function to be available.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist can neither
reduce the risk of an accident nor override the
laws of physics. DISTRONIC PLUS Steering
Assist cannot take into account road,
weather or traffic conditions. DISTRONIC
PLUS Steering Assist is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not
detect road and traffic conditions. If you are
following a vehicle which is driving towards
the edge of the road, your vehicle could come
into contact with the curb or other road
boundaries. In the case of deviations in road
markings, beware of other road users, e.g.
cyclists, that are in the direct vicinity of your
vehicle.
Obstacles such as building site huts on the
lane or projecting out into the lane are not
detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g.
after intentionally driving over a lane marking,
can be corrected at any time if you steer
slightly in the opposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist cannot
continuously keep your vehicle in lane. In
some cases, the steering intervention is not
sufficient to bring the vehicle back to the lane.
In such cases, you must steer the vehicle
yourself to ensure that it does not leave the
lane.200
Driving systemsDriving and parking
ProCarManuals.com

The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflections (e.g. when the road
surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R no, or several, unclear lane markings are
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction
area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are strong shadows cast on the lane
Pay attention also to the important safety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 192).
The steering interventions are carried out
with a limited steering moment. The system
requires the driver to keep his hands on the
steering wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you
with a visual warning. A steering wheel
symbol appears in the multifunction display.
If you have still not started to steer and have
not taken hold of the steering wheel after five
seconds, a warning tone also sounds to
remind you to take control of the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is then
switched to passive. DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active. The system is switched to passive and no
longer assists you by performing steering
interventions if:
R
you actively change lanes
R you switch on the turn signal
R take your hands off the steering wheel or
do not steer for a prolonged period of time
i After you have finished changing lanes,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
automatically active once more.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not
provide assistance:
R on very sharp corners
R if no lane markings or no clear lane
markings have been detected
R if the vehicle in front is not detected at
speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h)
R in tire run-flat mode
Activating Steering Assist
X Select the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist function using the on-board
computer (Y page 248).
The DTR+: Steering Assistant On
DTR+: Steering Assistant On
message appears in the multifunction
display. DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist
is activated.
Information in the multifunction display If DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
activated but is not ready for a steering
intervention, steering wheel symbol
:
appears in grey. If the system provides you
with support by means of steering
interventions, symbol :is shown in green. Driving systems
201Driving and parking Z
ProCarManuals.com

Deactivating Steering Assist
X
Deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS with
Steering Assist function using the on-board
computer (Y page 248).
The DTR+ Steering Assistant Off
DTR+ Steering Assistant Off
message appears in the multifunction
display. DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist
is deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident. If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë: appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal. 202
Driving syste
msDriving and parking
ProCarManuals.com

i
If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ë
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
When the HOLD function is activated, the
transmission is shifted automatically to
position Pif:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient. RACE START
Important safety notes i
Observe the safety notes for the SPORT
handling mode (Y page 74).
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
i RACE START is only available in AMG
vehicles. Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed.
R the engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
(Y page 74)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 171) until the RSlamp lights up.
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Canceled RACE START Canceled message appears
in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 172).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 172).
The RACE START Available Depress RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The RACE START Not RACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
Possible See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction
display. Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z
ProCarManuals.com

X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed rises to approximately
3,500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to
RACE START Release brake to
start start message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The RACE RACE START
START Active
Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE
RACE
START Not Possible See Operator's START Not Possible See Operator's
Manual Manual message appears in the multifunction
display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is slightly lowered if:
R you have selected comfort suspension
tuning and
R you lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds of switching off the engine
You and people in the vicinity of the wheel
arch or the underbody may thus become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you lock
the vehicle.
! The vehicle is lowered by about 15 mm if:
R you have selected "Comfort tuning"
R you switch off the engine and then
R you lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
If you unlock the vehicle within 60 seconds of
having switched the engine off, the vehicle is
lowered slightly when Comfort suspension
mode is selected.
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically. All-round level control ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption. 204
Driving systemsDriving and parking
ProCarManuals.com

The following vehicle levels are possible:
R
Normal
R Raised: the vehicle is raised by
approximately 0.80 in (20 mm) when
compared with the normal level
R Lowered: the vehicle is raised by
approximately 0.40 in (10 mm) when
compared with the normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
R if you have selected "Sports tuning"
(Y page 205)
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Setting raised level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle Rising Vehicle Rising message appears in
the display. The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R
drive at a speed over approximately
75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h)
The "Raised level" remains active when you
are not driving within these speed ranges.
Setting the normal level
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp :is lit:
X Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road. Driving systems
205Driving and parking Z
ProCarManuals.com

Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected.
The AIRMATIC SPORT
AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp =lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
The AIRMATIC COMFORT
AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multifunction display. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is slightly lowered if:
R you have selected comfort suspension
tuning and
R you lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds of switching off the engine You and people in the vicinity of the wheel
arch or the underbody may thus become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you lock
the vehicle.
! The vehicle is lowered by about 0.8 in
(20 mm) if:
R you have selected "Comfortable tuning"
R you switch off the engine and then
R you lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
Suspension tuning General notes
The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
Sport mode :
Mode selection button
; Button to store, recall and display the
selected mode 206
Driving systemsDriving and parking
ProCarManuals.com

=
Sport + mode indicator lamp
? Sport mode indicator lamp
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures better contact with the road. Select
this mode when employing a sporty driving
style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X Press button :once.
Indicator lamp ?lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode
primarily when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps =and ?are off:
X Press button :twice.
Indicator lamps =and ?light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG AMG Ride
Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp ?lights up:
X Press button :once.
Second indicator lamp =lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG AMG Ride
Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode
When comfort mode is selected, the driving
characteristics of your vehicle are more
comfortable. Select this mode if you prefer a
comfort-oriented driving style. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
highway.
X Press button :repeatedly until indicator
lamps =and ?go out.
You have selected Comfort mode. The
AMG Ride Control COMFORT
AMG Ride Control COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings
Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button ;.
X To store: press AMG button ;until you
hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button ;.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button ;.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display.
Vehicle level Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
The vehicle lowers when you press the button
for selecting the suspension tuning or the
AMG button. The vehicle also lowers if it is
stationary.
! If Sport or Sport + suspension tuning has
been selected, the vehicle's ground
clearance decreases. Make sure that no
objects become trapped or that the vehicle
does not become damaged, for example,
on the curb.
i The vehicle level may change visibly at the
rear axle if you park the vehicle and the
outside temperature changes. If the
temperature drops, the vehicle level Driving systems
207Driving and parking Z
ProCarManuals.com

lowers; with an increase in temperature,
the vehicle level rises.
Changing the rear axle ride height
This function is only available for the E 63
AMG 4MATIC.
The vehicle level at the rear axle depends on
the selected suspension tuning and the
vehicle speed.
The vehicle level at the rear axle changes
during the journey depending on the selected
suspension tuning:
R Comfort: +0.4 in (+10 mm)
R Sport + and Sport: -0.6 in (-15 mm)
When switching from Comfort to Sport or
Sport +, the rear axle lowers by approximately
1.0 in (25 mm). When switching from Sport
or Sport + to Comfort, the rear axle raises by
approximately 1.0 in (25 mm). This level
change also takes place when the vehicle is
stationary.
If you drive faster than 105 mph (170 km/h),
the rear axle ride height is set to a medium
level. This increases driving safety and
reduces air resistance. If you then drive at
speeds below 93 mph (150 km/h), the rear
axle ride height is readjusted to the selected
suspension tuning.
Load compensation
The vehicle can compensate differences in
the vehicle level by raising or lowering the
rear axle. This is the case, for example, if
people get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
R a door or the trunk lid/tailgate is opened
R the parked vehicle is unlocked
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
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. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering. 208
Driving systemsDriving and parking
ProCarManuals.com