Page 228 of 424

223 Starter switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 0.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
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Page 229 of 424

224 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start-/Stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO)
See page 227 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
See page 44 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.Pressing the start-/stop button (1) on the gear selector
lever without depressing the brake pedal will
sequentially activate the starter switch positions 1 (on)
and 2 (operation) and 0 (off).
The engine can be started with the starter switch in any
position (on, operation or off), as long as the gear
selector lever is in position “P” or “N” and the brake
pedal depressed.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always take the electronic
key and the KEYLESS-GO-card with you, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.
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Page 230 of 424

225 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index “On” position (starter switch position 1, see page 222).
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed
information see respective subjects.
Operation / driving position (starter switch position 2,
see page 222).
All electrical consumers can be operated. Gear selector
is unlocked.
“Off” position (electronic key removable from starter
switch).
Most electrical consumers cannot be operated.
The selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Notes:
For improved recognition of the KEYLESS-GO-card the
doors should be closed when pressing the start-/stop
button.
The gear selector lever can only be moved with the
vehicle battery charged and connected, and the starter
switch in the Operation position. With the gear selector
lever in position “P”, the brake pedal must also be
depressed.Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase),
the vehicle cannot be locked (see page 40) or started
with the start-/stop button (see page 227).
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 190), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly while driving in the
multifunction display, see page 38.
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Page 232 of 424

227 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Starting
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4°F
(-20°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject.
Starting the engine with electronic key:
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
Starting the engine with KEYLESS-GO:
Note:
For improved recognition of the chip card the doors
should be closed when pressing the start-/stop button.
Depress brake pedal during the starting procedure.
Briefly press start-/stop button on gear selector lever.
The starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
press start-/stop button on gear selector lever and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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Page 235 of 424

230 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
acceleration. Once the desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator — the transmission shifts up again.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward on in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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Page 236 of 424

231 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 238 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the gear selector lever
from position “P”, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.
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Page 237 of 424

232 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Note:
The electronic key can only be removed from the
starter switch with the selector lever in
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
sto p ped .
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” the maximum speed in the
reverse gear is different. However, it is not
possible to change the program mode while in
reverse.
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Page 243 of 424

238 Parking brake
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When
the electronic key is in starter switch position 2, the
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should
come on brightly.
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster should go out.
A warning sounds and the parking brake warning
message (see page 302) appears in the multifunction
display, if you start to drive without having released the
parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 292.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident or serious injury.
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