Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner's Manual page 230

Driving systems
228
The vehicle level at the rear axle changes dur-
ing the journey depending on the selected
suspension tuning:
Comfort: +10 mm
R
Sport + and Sport: -15 mm
R
When switching from Comfort to Sport or
Sport +, the rear axle lowers by approximately
25 mm. When switching from Sport or Sport +
to Comfort, the rear axle raises by approx-
imately 25 mm. This level change also takes
place when the vehicle is stationary.
If you drive faster than 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
150 km/h, the rear axle ride height is read-
justed 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 peo-
ple get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
a door or the boot lid/tailgate is opened
R
the parked vehicle is unlocked
R
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running.
4MATIC (permanent all-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 con-
ditions. 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 the lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
when pulling away, only depress the accel-
R
erator pedal as far as is necessary
accelerate less when driving
R
! 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 implied 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 tyres (M+S tyres), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP
improves the traction of your vehicle when-
ever 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 substi-
tute for your attention to the immediate sur-
roundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that there are no persons, animals
or objects in range while manoeuvring and
parking.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasonic sources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill, could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
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