Page 3 of 130

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Index.
For adjustments of air outlets, refer to Automatic
Climate Control (see Index).
1. Side air outlet, adjustable
2. Air volume control for side air outlet
3. Exterior lamp switch
4. Parking brake release
5. Hood lock release
6. Parking brake pedal
7. Steering wheel adjustment lever
8. Combination switch
9. Cruise control switch
10. Horn, airbag
11. Instrument cluster
12. Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
13. Center air outlets, adjustable
14. Air volume control for center air outlets
15. Glove box (illuminated with electronic
key in steering lock position 1 or 2)
16. Left front seat heater switch
17. ASR or ESP control switch
18. Switch for rear seat head restraints
19. Hazard warning flasher switch
20. Central locking switch,
21. Switch for Tow-Away Protection
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
22. Right front seat heater switch
23. Climate control (C 230)
Automatic climate control (C 280,
C43 AMG)
Rear window defroster switch
24. Audio system
25. Open storage compartment
26. Ashtray with lighter
27. Storage/eyeglasses compartment
28. Power window switches, front doors
29. Power window safety switch, rear doors
30. Airbag off indicator lamp
31. Power window switches, rear doors
32. Trunk lid release switch
33. Mirror adjustment switch
Page 5 of 130

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
Battery not being charged properly.
See Index
Warning Lamps
(should go out with the engine running unless)
Exterior lamp failure. See Index
ASR or ESP.
Adjust driving to road condition. See Index
BAS malfunction. See Index
ASR malfunction. See Index
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low. See Index
BAS malfunction. See Index
ESP malfunction. See Index
Coolant level low. See Index ABS malfunction. See Index
Engine oil level low. See Index Fasten seat belts. See Index
Brake pads worn down. See Index SRS malfunction. See Index
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged. See Index
Telescoping steering column not locked.
See Index
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel
management system or emission control
system, or the fuel cap is not closed tight. In
all cases, we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible.
See Index
Additional Function Indicator Lamps in
the Instrument Cluster Function Indicator Lamp on
the Center Console
FSS indicator (distance).
See Index
Passenger Airbag automatically switched
off. See Index
FSS indicator (days).
See Index
Page 24 of 130

Panic Button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one second.
The alarm will last for approximately 3 minutes in form of blinking
exterior lamps, and an alarm will sound
To deactivate press button (1) again, or insert electronic key in
steering lock.
Note:
For operation in the USA only: This devise complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Any unauthorized modification to
this device could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Mechanical Keys
The entire vehicle may be locked or unlocked by using either the mechanical key in driver's door or trunk lock, or
central locking switch located in center console. The central locking system also locks or unlocks the fuel filler flap.
Note:
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, refer to Fuel Filler Flap, Manual Release (see Index).
Page 29 of 130

Antitheft Alarm System
1. Indicator lamp in switch located in center console
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed with the remote
control or any of your vehicle's mechanical keys by locking or unlocking the driver's door or the trunk.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior vehicle lamps will flash and the horn will sound
intermittently when someone:
• opens a door,
• opens the trunk,
• opens the hood,
• attempts to raise the vehicle.
The alarm will last approximately 21/2 minutes in the form of blinking exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds.
The alarm will stay on even if the activating element (a door, for example) is immediately closed.
Note:
We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve key with mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe place
(e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Never leave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle.
Page 30 of 130

Tow-Away Protection
1. Press to switch off.
2. Indicator lamp
The switch is located in the center console.
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when someone
attempts to raise the vehicle. The alarm will last approximately 21/2 minutes in the form of flashing exterior lamps.
At the same time an alarm will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the vehicle is immediately
lowered.
To prevent triggering the alarm, switch off the tow-away protection before towing the vehicle, or when parking on a
surface subject to movement, such as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from steering lock. Press
tow-away protection switch (1). The indicator lamp (2) illuminates briefly. Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with
mechanical key or remote control.
The tow-away protection remains switched off until the vehicle is locked again with mechanical key or remote control.
Page 51 of 130

Combination Switch
1. Low beam (exterior lamp switch position )
2. High beam (exterior lamp switch position )
3. High beam flasher (high beam available independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4. Turn signals, right
5. Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing lanes on a highway, move combination switch to the point
of resistance only and hold it there. To operate the turn signals continuously, move the combination switch past the
point of resistance (up or down). The switch is automatically cancelled when the steering wheel is turned to a large
enough degree.
6 Control for windshield wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for a single wipe without adding washer fluid (use only when windshield is wet)
Push past detent point:
• windshield washer system
• optional headlamp cleaning system (only in exterior lamp positions or ).
When the washer system is activated, the wipers also operate for a limited time.
7 Windshield wiper
0 Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping (optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield.)
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
Note:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are automatically heated.
Page 53 of 130

Exterior Lamp Switch
Off
Parking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low beam is additionally switched on.
Parking lamps plus low beam or high beam headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).
Standing lamps, right (turn left one stop).
Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops).
Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking lamps and/or low beam headlamps on.
Rear fog lamp (pull out to 2nd detent) in addition to fog lamps. Yellow indicator lamp in lamp switch
comes on.
Standing Lamps
When the vehicle is parked on the street the standing lamps (right or left side parking lamps) can be turned on,
making the vehicle more visible to passing vehicles The standing lamps cannot be operated with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and a front door open, a warning sounds if the vehicle's exterior lamps (except
standing lamps) are not switched off. Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and the low or high
beam headlamps Fog lamps should only be used in conjunction with low beam headlamps
Consult your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding allowable lamp operation. Fog lamps are
automatically switched off when the exterior lamp switch is turned to position .
Daytime Running Lamps
Canada only
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in a driving position, the low beam (includes parking lamps,
side marker lamps, taillamps and license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position "N" or "P", the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should be turned to position to permit activation of the high beam
headlamps.
Page 54 of 130
Night Security Illumination
When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination for
approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door. The lamp-on time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Inside Rear View Mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and distan ce of objects seen in the passenger side convex mirror.
Antiglare Night Position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity. With gear selector lever in position "R", or with the interior lamp switched on, the mirror brightness
does not respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Note:
The automatic antiglare function is restricted, if incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the mirror.