traction control MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS FAMILY TOURER 2013 Owners Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 Vsocket ...................................... 270
12 Vsocket
see Sockets
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ....69
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 185A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 215
Function/notes ................................ 68
Important safety notes ....................68
Warning lamp ................................. 239
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification .................138
Activating/deactivating the
distance warning function ...............211
Active Service System see ASSYST PLUS
Additives (engine oil) ........................354
Adjusting the armrest (2nd row of
seats) ................................................. .106
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ..... 183
Airb ags
Display message ............................ 220
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger )....................................... 44
Important safety notes ....................43
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 46
Safety guidelines ............................. 42
Side impact airb ag.......................... 45
Windo wcurtain air bag .................... 46
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Airf ilter (display message) ..............227
AIRMATIC (display message) ............ 228
AIRMATIC package ............................183
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ...183
Level control .................................. 183
Airv ents
Important safet ynotes .................. 144
Rea r............................................... 144
Setting ........................................... 144Setting the center air vents
...........144
Setting the side air vents ...............144
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-loc kbraking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ashtray ............................................... 267
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ........288
Hiding a service message ..............288
Notes ............................................. 288
Resetting the service interval
display. .......................................... 289
Service message ............................ 288
Special service requirements ......... 289
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................72
Function .......................................... .72
Switching off the alarm ....................72
Audio menu (on-board computer) ....204
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Centers
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshops
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 224
see Lights
Automatic headlamp mode ..............121
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............158
Changing gear. .............................. 156
DIRECT SELECT leve r..................... 154
Display message ............................ 234
Driving tips .................................... 157
Emergency running mode ..............160
Engaging drive position .................. 155
Engaging neutra l............................ 155
Engaging revers egear ................... 154
Engaging the par kposition ............ 154
Kickdow n....................................... 157
Overview ........................................ 154
Problem (malfunction) ...................1604
Index

Displays in the multifunction
displa
y........................................... 180
Driving tips .................................... 181
Important safety notes ..................175
Notes/function .............................. 175
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 179
Warning lamp ................................. 246
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 209
Automatic locking (switch) .............. .83
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .77
Control panel ................................... 37
Display message ............................ 235
Emergency locking ........................... 84
Emergency unlocking .......................84
Important safety notes ....................82
Opening (from inside) ......................83
Overview .......................................... 82
Drinking and driving .........................169
Drinks holder see Cuph older
Drive program (automatic) ...............158
Driver's door see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................289
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 120
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving on flooded roads ..................171
Driving safety system Distance warning function ...............71
Driving safety systems
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...69
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......68
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............68
Electronic brake force distribution ...70
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 69
Important safety information ...........67
Overview .......................................... 67
Driving system
ADS ............................................... 183
AIRMATIC package ........................183Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 191
Cruise control ................................ 173
Display message ............................ 228
DISTRONI C.................................... 175
Level control (vehicle with
AIRMATIC package) .......................183
PARKTRONI C................................. 186
Rea rview camera .......................... 189
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................157
Brakes ........................................... 169
Break-in period .............................. 148
DISTRONI C.................................... 181
Downhill gradient ........................... 169
Drinking and driving .......................169
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................ .172
Driving on flooded road s................ 171
Driving on wet road s...................... 171
Exhaus tcheck ............................... 169
Fuel ................................................ 168
General .......................................... 168
Hydroplaning ................................. 171
Icy road surfaces ........................... 172
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads. .................................. 170
New brake pads/linings ................170
Snow chains .................................. 315
Symmetrical low beam. .................120
Towing atrailer .............................. 193
Wet road surface ........................... 170
DVD audio
Operating (on-board computer) .....204
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) .....205 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................210
Function/notes ............................. 113
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 114
Function/notes ............................. 113
Switching on/off ........................... 2108
Index

ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 67). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! 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.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 241) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 215).
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. If ESP
®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) 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 if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

X
To switch off: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switc hon:press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
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
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effec tfor better
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 40 mph (65 km/h).
Trailer stabilization does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated because of a malfunction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 67). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 239) as well as
display messages (Y page 217).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. 70
Driving safety systemsSafety

Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes 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.
R The 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.
R The 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.
R Deactivate 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:
R Do not place any objectsint he footwell.
R Ensure that floormats and carpets are fixed
securely. In particular, do not place several
floormats on top of one another.
R Do 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. General 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
1,2or 3in 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).
Cruise control lever :
To activate or increase speed
; To activate or reduce speed
= To deactivate cruise control
? To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the status indicator of the
multifunction display:
R USA only: e.g. Cruise 55 Miles R
Canada only: e.g. ¯90 Km/h Driving systems
173Driving and parking Z

manner which will allow him to always have
control of the vehicle.
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.R apid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
The DISTRONIC does not function in adverse
sigh tand 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:
R roads are slippery or covered with snow or
ice .The wheels could lose traction while
braking or accelerating, and the vehicle
could skid.
R the 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
R when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly in
the left lane
R when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp
R in 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.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "VehicularR adar 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 notp ermitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter or use in any
non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification of the
device can result in the operating permit
being rendered invalid.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and 176
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative No
Wheel Sensors The wheels mounted do no
thave a suitable tire pressure sensor.
The tire pressure monito ris deactivated.
X Mount wheels with suitable tire pressure sensors.
The tire pressure monitor is activated automatically after driving
for a few minutes. Check Tire(s) 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 166).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 299).
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 320).
X If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Caution: Tire
Defect 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 166).
X If there is a flat tire, inspect the tires (Y page 299).232
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
÷
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 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 ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 69).÷
The yellow ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion. At least one wheel is spinning and the Electronic Traction System
is deactivated. This is to prevent the brakes on the drive wheels
from overheating.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
The Electronic Traction System switches back on again as soon
as the brakes have cooled down.
The display message disappears and the ÷warning lamp goes
out. å
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 ®
.
For exceptions, see: (Y page 69).
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. 242
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

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 riskof
accident.
Chec kthe tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly check the 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 313). 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 316).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 342).
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: âin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Bar indicator
:for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned on the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately áin (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced. Operation
313Wheels and tires Z

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.
Example:
R
Treadwear grade: 200
R Traction grade: AA
R Temperature grade: A
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government test trackas
a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depar
tsignificantly from
the norm, due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions.
Traction G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
! Avoid wheelspin .This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified governmentt
est surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. Atire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth of ãin(4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Y page 313). Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than
on surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) (Y page 314).
Temperature G
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A(the highest),
B, and C. These represent the tire's
resistance to the generatio nofheat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A All about wheels and tires
327Wheels and tires Z