2015 Mercedes-Benz M-CLASS Owner’s Manual

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is the best SUV when it comes to luxury and speed. The M-Class is a great example of Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering dedication to excellence. It combines luxurious design with cutting-edge engineering in a way that works well together. The M-Class is a refined and exciting car to drive because of its commanding appearance on the road, its careful attention to detail, and its wide range of powerful but fuel-efficient engines. Inside the luxurious cabin, high-tech features and high-end comfort work together to make the 2015 M-Class a symbol of luxury and dependability in the world of luxury SUVs. Its strong powers and safety features also make it a standout among luxury SUVs.

Cockpit

1. Steering wheel paddle shifters
2. Combination switch
3. Instrument cluster
4. Horn
5. DIRECT SELECT lever
6. PARKTRONIC warning dis-play
7. Overhead control panel
8. Climate control systems
9. Ignition lock
   Start/Stop button
10. Adjusts the steering wheel manually
11. Adjusts the steering wheel electrically
    Steering wheel heating
12. Cruise control lever
13. Opens the hood
14. Diagnostics connection
15. Electric parking brake
16. Light switch
17. Night View Assist Plus

Driving and parking

Automatic engine switch-off
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in D or N, the ECO start/stop function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational when:

• the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit green.
• no off-road program has been selected.
• the outside temperature is within the range that is suitable for the system.
• the engine is at normal operating temperature.
• the set temperature for the vehicle interior has been reached.
• the battery is sufficiently charged.
• the system detects that the windshield is not fogged up when the air-conditioning system is switched on.
• the hood is closed.
• the driver’s door is closed and the driver’s seat belt is fastened.
  All of the vehicle’s systems remain active when the engine has been stopped automatically.
  The HOLD function can also be activated if the engine has been switched off automatically. It is then not necessary to continue applying the brakes during the automatic stop phase. When you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine starts automatically and the braking effect of the HOLD function is deactivated.
  The engine can be switched off automatically a maximum of four times (first stop and three subsequent stops) in succession.

Automatic engine start 
The engine starts automatically if:

• you switch off the ECO start/stop function by pressing the ECO button.
• in transmission position D or N the brake pedal is released and the HOLD function is not active.
• you depress the accelerator pedal. Ryou engage reverse gear R.
• you move the transmission out of position P.
• you switch to an off-road program. Ryou unfasten your seat belt or open the driver’s door.
• the vehicle starts to roll.
• the brake system requires this.
• the temperature in the vehicle interior deviates from the set range.
• the system detects moisture on the windshield when the air-conditioning system is switched on.
• the battery’s condition of charge is too low.
  Shifting the transmission to position P
• does not start the engine.

Problems with the engine
Problem	Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions
The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard.	RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics.   RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply. X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the SmartKey in the ignition back to position 0 or press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go out. X Try to start the engine again (Y page 159). Avoid excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain the battery. If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter motor.	The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or discharged.   X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 391). If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
	The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.   X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes. X Try to start the engine again. If the engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Vehicles with a gaso- line engine:   The engine is not run- ning smoothly and is misfiring.	There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical component of the engine management system.   X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter and damage it. X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.
The coolant temperature gauge shows a value above 248 ‡ (120 †).	The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.   X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to cool down. X Check the coolant level (Y page 369). Observe the warning notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.

Automatic transmission

Important safety notes

WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed and you engage transmission position D or R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R, always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
The automatic transmission switches to neu-tral position N when you switch off the engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-cle from rolling away by applying the parking brake.

Transmission position and drive program display
If the transmission position display in the multifunction display is not working, you should pull away carefully to check whether the desired transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you should select trans-mission position D and, in AMG vehicles, drive program C or S.
Transmission position and drive program display

1. Transmission position display
2. Drive program display
   The current transmission position and drive program appear in the multifunction display.
   The arrows in the transmission position display show how and into which transmission positions you can change using the DIRECT SELECT lever.

Engaging park position P
If the engine speed is too high or the vehi-cle is moving, do not shift the automatic transmission directly from D to R, from R to D or directly to P. The automatic transmission could otherwise be damaged.

Engaging park position P automatically
Park position P is automatically engaged if:

• you switch off the engine using the SmartKey and remove the SmartKey.
• you switch off the engine using the Start/ Stop button and open one of the front doors.
• you open the driver’s door when the vehicle is stationary or driving at very low speed and the transmission is in position D or R.

Engaging reverse gear R
Only shift the automatic transmission to R when the vehicle is stationary.

• If the transmission is in position D or N: push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
  If the transmission is in position P: depress the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.

Shifting to neutral N

WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:

• open the doors, thus endangering other people or road users.
• get out and disrupt traffic.
• operate the vehicle’s equipment.
  Additionally, children could set the vehicle in motion if, for example, they:
• release the parking brake.
• shifting the automatic transmission out of park position P
• Start the engine.
  There is a risk of an accident and injury.
  When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in the vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of reach of children.

If the transmission is in position D or R: push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.
If the transmission is in position P: depress the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.

If the engine has been switched off, the automatic transmission automatically shifts to N.
If you want the automatic transmission to remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system, observe the following notes:
Using the SmartKey:

• Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
• When the vehicle is stationary, depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed.
• Shift to neutral N.
• Release the brake pedal.
• If the electric parking brake is engaged, release it.
• Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
  Using KEYLESS-GO:
• Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
• When the vehicle is stationary, depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed. REngage park position P.
• Release the brake pedal.
• Remove the Start/Stop button from the ignition lock.
• Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. RSwitch on the ignition.
• Depress the brake pedal and keep it depressed.
• Shift to neutral N.
• Release the brake pedal.
• If the electric parking brake is engaged, release it.
• Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey in the ignition lock.

Engaging drive position D
If the transmission is in position R or N: push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.
If the transmission is in position P: depress the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance.

FAQ