
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Door control panel  ....................... 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console  .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 32
General notes on the
central locking system  ............... 33Central locking system ................... 34
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  .............. 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................ 38
Opening and closing 
windows and
sliding/pop-up roof 
from outside  ................................. 45
Panic button  ................................. 47
Mechanical keys  .......................... 47
Doors ................................................. 48
Power closing assist for 
doors and trunk lid  .................... 50
Central locking switch .................... 50
Automatic central locking .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident  ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 57
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release  .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 66Front seat adjustment  ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints  ...... 71
Backrest ............................................. 72
Lumbar support  ............................... 74
Multicontour backrest ..................... 74
Seat heater  ........................................ 76
Seat ventilation system  ................... 79
Power head restraints, rear  ............ 81
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system  ....... 82
Seat belts  ........................................... 82
Seat belt nonusage
warning system  ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system  .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child 
seat installed  ................................. 89
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................ 90
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 91
Airbags .............................................. 92 

2 Contents
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag  .................................. 100
Infant and child
restraint systems ....................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment  .......... 105
Rear view mirrors  .......................... 106
Rear view mirror,
automatic antiglare ................... 106
Memory function  ............................111
Instrument cluster  ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inflation pressure 
monitor and 
engine oil level indicator  ......... 124
Audio systems  ................................ 125
Radio ............................................ 125
CD player  ..................................... 126
Cassette player  ........................... 127
Telephone ........................................ 128
Telephone book  .......................... 128
Redialing ..................................... 130Incoming call ...............................131
Navigation system  ..........................132
Distronic (DTR)  ...............................133
Trip computer  .................................134
Malfunction/warning
message memory  ......................136
Individual settings  .........................138
Setting the audio volume  ............. 146
Flexible service system
(FSS) ........................................... 147
Tire inflation
pressure monitor  .......................150
Engine oil level indicator  ..............154
Engine oil consumption  ................155
Exterior lamp switch ......................156
Headlamp mode  ..............................157
Night security illumination  ..........158
Headlamp cleaning system  ...........159
Combination switch  .......................160
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................163
Automatic climate control .............164
Display and controls  ..................166
Dust filter  .....................................167Basic setting  ............................... 168
Special settings  .......................... 169
Air recirculation  ......................... 171
Activated charcoal filter  ............ 172
Economy mode  ........................... 173
Residual engine heat 
utilization .................................... 174
Switching the automatic 
climate control on and off ......... 175
Front center console storage 
compartment ventilation  .......... 175
Rear window defroster  .................. 176
Rear passenger compartment 
adjustable air outlets  ................ 177
Power windows ............................... 178
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 181
Interior lighting  ............................. 184
Rear window sunshade  ................. 186
Sun visors  ....................................... 187
Vanity mirrors  ................................ 187
Interior ............................................ 188
Storage compartments
and armrests .............................. 188
Glove box  ..................................... 189 

4 Contents
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............295
Distronic (DTR) — 
warning lamp  ..............................295
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  ..............................296
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console  ......296
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....296
Malfunction and
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............297
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................298
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................298
BATTERY /ALTERNATOR  ..........299
ENTRANCE POSITION  ..............300
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................300
BRAKE LINING WEAR  .............. 301
BRAKE FLUID  ............................. 301
PARKING BRAKE  .......................302
TRUNK OPEN  .............................302ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 303
COOLANT (coolant level)  ......... 304
COOLANT
(coolant temperature)  ............... 305
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ................... 306
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 308
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 308
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  ....... 309
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 309
ACTIVE  BO DY  CO NTROL 
(ABC) ............................................ 310
TIRE PRESSURE  .........................312
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  .................... 314
SEAT BACKREST ......................... 315
KEY ...............................................316
DOOR ............................................ 316
HOOD ............................................ 317
TELE AID ......................................317
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  .................... 318
WASHER FLUID  ..........................319
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 320
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ...................... 321
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................324
Fuses ................................................325
Shelf below rear window  ..............327
Hood .................................................328
Checking engine oil level  ............. 331
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................332
Active b od y control  
(ABC) fluid level ........................332
Coolant level  ...................................333
Adding coolant  ...........................333
Windshield and headlamp
washer system  ...........................334
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........334
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment ................335
Jack ...................................................336
Wheels .............................................337
Tire Replacement  .......................337
Rotating wheels  ..........................338
Spare wheel  ....................................338 

5 ContentsChanging wheels  ...........................340
Tire inflation pressure  ..................345
Battery .............................................346
Jump starting  ..................................349
Towing the vehicle ......................... 351
Exterior lamps  ................................354
Headlamp assembly ...................355
Taillamp assemblies  ..................358
Standby bulb function ................... 361
Changing batteries 
in the electronic main key .......363
Synchronizing
remote control  ............................365
Changing batteries
in the KEYLESS-GO-card  .........366
Emergency engine
shut-down ...................................368
Fuel filler flap, 
manual release  ..........................368Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof  .................. 369
Replacing wiper blades  ................ 370
Trunk lamp ......................................371
Roof rack  ......................................... 372
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle  ..............................374
Power washer  ............................. 375
Tar stains  .....................................376
Paintwork, painted body 
components .................................376
Engine cleaning  ..........................376
Vehicle washing  ..........................376
Ornamental moldings  ............... 377
Headlamps, taillamps, 
turn signal lenses  ...................... 377Cleaning the Distronic 
system sensor  .............................378
Cleaning the parktronic 
system sensors  ...........................378
Wiper blades  ...............................379
Light alloy wheels  ......................380
Instrument cluster  ..................... 381
Steering wheel and 
gear selector lever ...................... 381
Cup holder ................................... 381
Seat belts  .....................................382
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .....................382
Leather upholstery .....................382
Hard plastic trim items  .............382
Plastic and rubber parts ............382 

6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service  ........................384
Warranty coverage .........................384
Identification labels .......................385
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............387
Technical data  ................................388
Fuels, coolants, 
lubricants etc. - capacities  .......393
Engine oils  ......................................395
Engine oil additives  .......................395
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........395
Brake fluid  ......................................395
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........396
Fuel requirements  .........................396
Gasoline additives  .........................397
Coolants ...........................................397
Consumer information ..................399
IndexIndex ............................................... 401 

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 32
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 33
Central locking system  ................... 34
Radio frequency and infrared 
remote control  .............................. 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 38
Opening and closing 
windows and
sliding/pop-up roof 
from outside  .................................. 45
Panic button  .................................. 47
Mechanical keys  ........................... 47
Doors .................................................. 48
Power closing assist for 
doors and trunk lid ..................... 50
Central locking switch  .................... 50
Automatic central locking  .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident  ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch  ................. 57Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release  .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 66
Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints  ......71
Backrest ............................................ 72
Lumbar support  ................................74
Multicontour backrest  .....................74
Seat heater ......................................... 76
Seat ventilation system  .................. 79
Power head restraints, rear  ............ 81
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system  ....... 82
Seat belts  .......................................... 82
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system  ................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child 
seat installed  ................................ 89Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)  ................................ 90
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR) ............................. 91
Airbags .............................................. 92
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag  .................................. 100
Infant and child
restraint systems ....................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment  .......... 105
Rear view mirrors  .......................... 106
Rear view mirror,
automatic antiglare  .................. 106
Memory function  ............................ 111
Instrument cluster  ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inf lation pressure 
monitor and 
engine oil level indicator  ......... 124
Audio systems  ................................ 125
Radio ............................................ 125 

67 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Front seat adjustment
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches, 
turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 
or 2 (with a front door open, the power seats can also be 
operated with the electronic key removed or in starter 
switch position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. 
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the 
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back 
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position 
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat 
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt 
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That 
could cause serious or fatal injuries. The seat back 
and seat belts provide the best restraint when the 
wearer is in an upright position and belts are 
properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
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 your vehicle. The power seats can also be operated with the 
driver’s or front passenger door open. 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. 

70 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section on page 92 for proper seat 
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
side front airbag when it is properly installed. 
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it 
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal 
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.