ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
General notes
ADS adapts the damping characteristics to the current operating and driving situation.
This depends on:
- your driving style
- the road surface conditions
- the ADS setting
- the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

– Start the engine.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
– Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 2 lights up. Sports
suspension tuning is selected. The vehicle
is lowered by 0.6 in (15 mm).
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this mode if you favor a more comfortable driving style, but also when driving fast on straight roads, e.g. freeways.
– Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 3 lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected. The vehicle is raised by
0.6 in (15 mm).
See also:
Cleaning the wheels
Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products to remove brake dust. This could
damage wheel bolts and brake components.
Do not park the vehicle for an extended period straight after cleaning it, ...
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
Cruise control activated:
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS activated:
O ...
Automatic headlamp mode
To switch on automatic
headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to
or .
SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the bri ...
