traction control MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2014 W166 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 Vsocket ...................................... 348
12 Vsocket
see Sockets
360° camera
Function/notes ............................. 225
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 246A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 283
Function/notes ................................ 67
Important safety notes ....................67
Warning lamp ................................. 319
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................145
Active Blin dSpot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 273
Display message ............................ 306
Function/informatio n.................... 237
Trailer towing ................................. 240
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 303
Function/notes ............................. 208
Active Driving Assistance package .237
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 273
Display message ............................ 305
Function/informatio n.................... 241
Trailer towing ................................. 243
Active light function .........................125
Active Parking Assist Display message ............................ 306
Exiting aparking spac e.................. 219
Function/notes ............................. 216
Important safety notes ..................216
Parking .......................................... 218
Towing atrailer .............................. 220
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 74 Adaptive Brake Assist
Display message ............................ 290
Function/notes ................................ 70
Adaptive Damping System
see ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 298
Function/notes ............................. 125
Switching on/off ........................... 126
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Additives (engine oil) ........................449
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) Function/notes ............................. 207
Airb ags
Display message ............................ 293
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger )....................................... 46
Important safety notes ....................44
Knee bag .......................................... 47
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 49
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Side impact airb ag.......................... 47
Windo wcurtain air bag .................... 48
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airf ilter (display message) ..............301
AIRF LOW ........................................... 147
AIRMATIC package ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ...207
Function/notes ............................. 207
Level control .................................. 209
Airv ents
Glove box ....................................... 153
Important safet ynotes .................. 152
Rea r............................................... 153
Setting ........................................... 152
Setting the center air vents ...........152
Setting the side air vents ...............153
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Setting the color (on-board
computer) ...................................... 2754
Index

Doors
Automati clocking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 276
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .88
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .80
Control panel ................................... 40
Display message ............................ 313
Emergency locking ........................... 88
Emergency unlocking .......................88
Important safety notes ....................86
Opening (from inside) ......................87
Overview .......................................... 86
Power closing feature ......................88
Downhill Spee dRegulation
see DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Drinking and driving .........................182
Drinks holder see Cuph older
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 170
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ......165
Manual .......................................... .170
Manual (AMG vehicles) ..................171
Manual (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................171
Off-road program (vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package) ..........248
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........279
see On-road programs
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................370
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 120
Driving in mountainous terrain
Approach/departure angl e............ 190
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving off-road
see Off-road driving
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......67
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 74
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................70
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............67
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .68COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
....69
Distance warning function ...............69
Electronic brake force distribution ...74
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .71
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 71
Important safety information ...........66
Overview .......................................... 66
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .74
STEER CONTROL ............................. 76
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 225
Active Blind Spot Assist .................237
Active Curve System ......................208
Active Driving Assistance package 237
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............241
Active Parking Assist .....................216
ADS ............................................... 207
AIRMATIC package ........................207
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 211
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................229
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 233
Cruise control ................................ 191
Display message ............................ 301
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 194
HOLD function ............................... 206
Lane Keeping Assist ......................235
Level control (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package) .......................209
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................202
On-road programs .......................... 243
PARKTRONI C................................. 213
Rea rview camera .......................... 220
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................168
Brakes ........................................... 184
Break-in period .............................. 156
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 201
Downhill gradient ........................... 184
Drinking and driving .......................182
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................ .187
Driving on flooded road s................ 186
Driving on sand .............................. 190
Driving on wet road s...................... 186
Driving over obstacles ...................190 Index
9

20 mph (30 km/h) and uses the radar sensor
system to evaluate the traffic situation.
With the help of Adaptive Brake Assist, the
distance warning signal can detect obstacles
that are in the path of you rvehicle for an
extended period of time.
Should you approach an obstacle and
Adaptive Brake Assist has detected a risk of
collision, Adaptive Brake Assist calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a rear-end
collision. Should you apply the brakes
vigorously, Adaptive Brake Assist will
automatically increase the braking force to a
level suitable for the traffic conditions.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision
R no obstacle is detected in fron tofyour
vehicle
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
If Adaptive Brake Assist requires particularly
high brake pressure, preventive passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
deployed simultaneously.
Up to vehicle speeds of around 155 mph
(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable
of reacting to moving objects that have
already been recognized as such at least once
over the period of observation. Adaptive
Brake Assist does not react to stationary
obstacles.
If Adaptive Brake Assist is not available due
to a malfunction in the radar sensor system,
the brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain R
interference by other radar sources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensor checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road program (Y page 248). Driving safety systems
71Safety Z

It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To switch off: press button0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button0002.
The 0017 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 000FESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 248).
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delayift here
is oversteering or understeering, thus
improving traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent
the vehicle/trailer combination from
swerving. Trailers with a high center of gravity
can tip over before ESP ®
can detect this.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP ®
assists you and can
detect if the vehicle/trailer combination
begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the vehicle down
by braking and limiting the engine output until
the vehicle/trailer combination has
stabilized.
Trailer stabilization is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction. Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

i
Cruise control should no tbeactivated
when driving off-road.
Important safety notes If you fail to adap
tyour driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control 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.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0002
To activate or increase speed
0003 To activate or reduce speed
0023 To deactivate cruise control
0022 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the multifunction display
for five seconds.
Activation conditions To activate cruise control, all of the following
activation conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the electric parking brake must be
released.
R you are driving faster than 20mph
(30 km/h).
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R the transmission must be in position D.
R DSR must be deactivated.
R off-road program 2 must be deactivated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
Storing, maintaining and calling up a
speed Storing and maintaining
aspeed X
Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0002 or down 0003.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
You can accept the current speed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The 192
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Trailer indicator 0023appears in the
multifunction display.
R Highway level is set.
R ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adapts
comfortable damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving
conditions.
R The automatic transmission selects the
automatic drive program for a
comfortable driving style that provides
for optimum fuel consumption, changing
gear at optimum points.
R While pulling away, the differential locks
are engaged. Off-road driving systems
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.
! 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.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwo-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop .You could otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficien tgrip.
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.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
DSR (Downhill Spee dRegulation) Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle .When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or
nonexistent.
DSR controls the set speed when it is active
and the automatic transmission is in the D,
R or Nposition. By accelerating or braking,
you can always drive at a higher or a lower
speed than that set on the on-board
computer.
Further information about "Driving off-road"
(Y page 187).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DSR can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. DSR cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. DSR 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.
You are always responsible for keeping
control of the vehicle and for assessing
whether the downhill gradient can be
managed. DSR may not always be able to
keep to the set speed, depending on road 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
To increase or decrease in 1 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments): briefly press the cruise
control lever up 0002for a highe rset speed
or down 0003for a lower set speed.
The set speed appears in the multifunction
display with the 0001DSR symbol. It is also
displayed in status indicator 0023.
When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 1mph and
11 mph (Canada: between 2 km/h and
18 km/h).
i The DSR set speed is always changed in
1 mph increments (Canada: 1 km/h
increments). This is regardless of whether
you press the cruise control lever to or
beyond the pressure point.
Off-road programs (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) General notes
The off-road programs assist you in driving
off-road. The engine’s performance
characteristics and the gearshifting
characteristics of the automatic transmission
are adapted for this purpose. ABS, ESP
®
and
4ET Sprograms especially adapted to off-road
driving are activated. An accelerator pedal
curve suitable for the terrain is selected, i.e.
the accelerator pedal must be depressed
further to accelerate.
Do not use the off-road programs on roads
that are snow-covered or icy or if you have
mounted snow chains on yourv ehicle.
For information on driving off-road, see
(Y page 187).
The following program messages are shown
in the multifunction display until the
applicable vehicle level is set. Up to off-road
level 2, you can hide the program messages
using the 0007or the 000Bbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel. Off-road program 1
X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Off-road indicator 0023appears in the
multifunction display.
Off-road level 1 is set to +1.2 in (+30 mm)
above the highway level.
If you drive at a speed above 70 mph
(110 km/h), off-road program 1 switches to
AUTO program.
Select off-road program 1 for gentle off-road
terrain, e.g. for gravel or sand surfaces or
tracks. The engine's torque is restricted to a
limited degree and the drive wheels can spin.
The spinning wheels produce acutting effect
for better traction.
You can only activate off-road program 1
when driving at speeds below 60 mph
(100 km/h). The Drive Program OFFROAD 1 Max Speed 60 mph (100 km/h ) message
appears in the multifunction display. 248
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Off-road program 2
X
Selector wheel 0002 engaged:
briefly press
selector wheel 0002.
Selector wheel 0002extends.
X To select: turn selector wheel 0002until
indicator lamp 0003comes on.
Off-road indicator 0023appears in the
multifunction display.
R Off-road level 1 is set to +2.4 in
(+60 mm) above the highway level.
R DSR is switched on.
R The differential lock is closed.
Off-road program 2automatically switches to
off-road program 1 if you drive faster than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Select off-road program 2 for rough terrain,
e.g. for steep and/o rrough terrain or driving
on rocky terrain.
i Your vehicle has an automatically
activated differential lock for the transfer
case. It controls the balance between the
front and rear axles. The differential lock improves the vehicle’s
traction. 4ETS (Y
page 71) controls the
balance between both wheels on an axle.
You can only activate off-road program 2
when driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h).
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
R if you remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal when driving
R if off road ABS intervenes when braking
If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased
danger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces. G
WARNING
If you do not wait for the transfer case gear
change process to complete, the transfer
case could remain in the neutral position. The
power transmission to the driven wheels is
then interrupted. There is a danger of the
vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is
a risk of an accident.
Wait until the transfer case shift process is
completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear
and do not shift the automatic transmission
to another position. Driving systems
249Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Check
Tires The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is displayed in the multifunction display.
Aw
arning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
With tire pressures which are too low, there is a ris kofthe
following hazards:
R they may burst, especially as the load and vehicle speed
increase.
R they may wear excessively and/or unevenly, which may greatly
impair tire traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may
be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 179).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 381).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 406).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Warning
Tire Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
G WARNING
If you drive with a flat tire, there is a risk of the following hazards:
R a flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
R you could lose control of the vehicle.
R continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 179).
X Check the tires and, if necessary, follow the instructions for a
flat tire (Y page 381). Display messages
311On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
000F
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. ESP
®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
X When pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 72), it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
. 0017
The yellow ESP
®
OFF
warning lamp is lit while
the engine is running. ESP
®
is deactivated.
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is switched off, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
In rare cases (Y page 72), it may be best to deactivate ESP ®
.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
If ESP ®
cannot be activated:
X Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 000F0017
The yellow ESP
®
and
ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps are lit while the
engine is running. ESP
®
,B AS, BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE ®
,P RE-SAFE ®
Brake ,COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilization are not available due to a malfunction.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 322
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays