width MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2013 W166 Owner's Manual

In a frontal crash, yourb
ody would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck.N ever pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet.
R Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
R Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
R Seat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribut eimpact forces.
The twisted seat belt against yourb ody
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also always use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
R Place the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
R Check your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned. R
Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R When using a seat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. G
WARNING
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to seat
belts. This could impair the effectiveness of
the seat belts.
Fastening seat belts G
WARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. 56
Occupant safetySafety

Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC PLU
Sto detect
vehicles when cornering is limited. Your
vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on adifferent line DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles
traveling on a different line. The distance to
the vehicle in fron twill 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
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these. Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z

view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the function "show rear
view camera display" is selected in
COMAND.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is show ninthe
COMAND display with guide lines.
X To change the function mode for
vehicles with trailer tow hitch: using the
COMAND controller, select symbol 0002for
the "Reverse parking" function or
symbol 0003for "Coupling up a trailer" (see
the separate COMAND operating
instructions).
The symbol of the selected function is
highlighted.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is
deactivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forwards 33 ft (10 m)
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position (after 15 seconds)
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5mph
(10km/h) Displays in the COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R
very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline. 0002
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0003 Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0m) from the rear
of the vehicle
001F Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
001E Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 222
Driving systemsDriving and parking

001C
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
001D Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
0011 Bumper
0012 Red guide line at a distanc eof
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the
transmission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. Additional messages for vehicle
swith
PARKTRONIC
0002 Front warning display
0003 Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
001F Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: if
PARKTRONIC is operational (Y page 215), an
additional operational readiness indicator will
appear in COMAN Ddisplay 0003. If the
PARKTRONIC warning displays are active or
light up, warning displays 0002and 001Fare also active or light up correspondingly in the
COMAND display.
Reverse parking function Backing up straight into a parking space
withou
tturning the steering wheel 0002
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0003 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
001F Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
001E Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 222).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X With the help of white guide line 0002, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking
space.
X Using white guide line 0002as a guide,
carefully back up until you reach the end
position.
Red guide line 001Eis then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost
parallel in the parking space. Driving systems
223Driving and parking Z

Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle
Turning the steering wheel
0002
Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0003 Parking space marking
X Make sure that the rea rview camera is
switched on (Y page 222).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X Drive past the parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.
X While the vehicle is at a standstill, tur nthe
steering wheel in the direction of the
parking space until red guide line 0002
reaches parking space marking 0003.
X Keep the steering wheel in that position
and back up carefully. Backing up with the steering wheel turned
0002
Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) X
Stop the vehicle when it is almost exactly
in front of the parking space.
The white lane should be as close to parallel
with the parking space marking as
possible. Driving to the final position
0002
White guide line at current steering wheel
angle
0003 Parking space marking
X Turn the steering wheel to the center
position while the vehicle is stationary. 0002
Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
0003 White guide line without turning the
steering wheel
001F End of parking space
X Back up carefully until you have reached
the final position.
Red guide line 0002is then at end of parking
space 001F.The vehicle is almost parallel in
the parking space. 224
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Top view with picture from the rear view
camera
0002
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rea rview camera image
0003 Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
001F Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
001E Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 001C
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
001D Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
0011 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 12 in (0.30 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
0012 Bumper
The guide lines are show nwhen the
transmission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. Top view with picture from the front
camera
0002
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and front camera image
0003 Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0m) from the front
of the vehicle
001F Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
001E Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
001C Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximatel y3ft (1.0m) from the front
of the vehicle
001D Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 12 in (0.30 m) from the
front of the vehicle 228
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Top view and enlarged rear view
0002
Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rea rview camera image
enlarged
0003 Red guide line at a distanc eof
approximately 12 in (0.30 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
This view assists you in estimating the
distance to the vehicle behind you.
i This setting can also be selected as an
enlarged fron tview.
Top view with picture from the mirror
camera 0002
Symbol for the top view and forward-
facing mirror camera setting
0003 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors (right side
of vehicle)
001F Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors (left side of
vehicle) Top view with trailer view
0002
Symbol for the trailer view setting
0003 Trailer drawbar marker assistant
001F Red guide line at a distanc eof
approximately 12 in (0.30 m)from the ball
coupling
Display with the PARKTRONIC display Example
:full screen mode with PARKTRONIC
display
0002 Symbol for the full screen setting with rear
view camera image
If the vehicle is equipped with PARKTRONIC
and the function is active (Y page 215),
warning displays 0003in the COMAND display
are also active or light up accordingly.
PARKTRONIC appears:
R in split screen view as red or yellow
brackets around the vehicle ico ninthe top
view, or
R in the full screen view, on the right-hand
side at the bottom as red or yellow brackets
around the vehicle icon Driving systems
229Driving and parking Z

Coupling up a trailer
! Do no tconnectt he trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
X Vehicles with ADS: set ADS toAUTOor
COMF.
X Switch off the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R Unless highway level has been set
manually, the vehicle is automatically
lowered to highway level. This is the case
if a speed of 5mph(8km/h) is reached.
R High-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connectio nto the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadia nprovinces
require by law:
R Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
R As eparate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R As afety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes. Towing
atrailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g .speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and backing up in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
-Trailer tow hitch
- Safety switch for braked trailers
- Safety chains
- Electrical connections
- Lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically
controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/
trailer combination carefully, manually Towing
atrailer
257Driving an d parking Z

and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do no
tget deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle. There is a risk of
accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly chec kthe wheels and tires of your
vehicle for damage at least once a month, as
well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of
tire pressure. Pay particular attention to
damage such as:
R cuts in the tires
R punctures
R tears in the tires
R bulges on tires
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (Y page 399). If necessary, turn
the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
mount anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Ben zfor your vehicle.
Do not use any other valve caps or systems,
e.g. tire pressure monitoring systems. Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary (Y
page 402).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 436).
The service life of tires depends on the
following factors amongst other things:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: 0009in (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 000Ain (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Operation
399Wheels and tires Z

Step 3
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Permissible load
(maximumg
ross
vehicle weight rating
from the Tire and
Loading Information
placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0020750 lbs (340 kg) =
750 lbs (340 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0020540 lbs (245 kg) =
960 lbs (435 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0020150 lbs (68 kg) =
1350 lbs (612 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo
carefully, you should still make sure tha tthe
gross vehicle weight rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle
(Y page 410).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the
gross weight of the vehicle, all passengers,
load and trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not exceed the permissible
gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating: the maximum
permissible weight that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible values (gross
vehicle weight and maximum gross axle
weight rating), have your loaded vehicle
(including driver, occupants, cargo, and full
trailer load if applicable) weighed on a
suitable vehicle weighbridge. Trailer load/noseweight
The trailer load/noseweight affects the gross
weight of the vehicle. If a trailer is attached,
the trailer load/noseweight is included in the
load along with occupants and luggage. The
trailer load/noseweight is usually
approximately 8% of the gross weight of the
trailer and its cargo. All about wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are
U.S. government specifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliable information on tire performance data.
Tire manufacturers have to grade tires using
three performance factors:
0002tread wear
grade, 0003traction grade and 001Ftemperature
grade. These regulations do not apply to
Canada.N evertheless, all tires sold in North
America are provided with the corresponding
quality grading markings on the sidewall of
the tire.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width. All about wheels and tires
413Wheels and tires Z