Page 122 of 323

Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear window defroster
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press F button.
To cancel, press F button again.
Notes:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster consumes a large amount of
electrical power. To keep the battery drain to a
minimum, turn off the defroster as soon as the window
is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after a
maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.Air distribution
TPress b button for each side repeatedly until the
requested symbol is displayed.
Press U button to return to automatic mode.
Air volume
Press – or + side of rocker switch ï until the
requested blower speed is attained. A choice of 7 blower
speeds is available.
To switch the automatic climate control off, press – side
of rocker switch ï until symbol OFF is displayed.IThe fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To switch the automatic climate control on again, press
U, P or +side of ï.
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Page 143 of 323
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power w indows
Power window switches are located on center console.
1left, front
2left, rear
3right, front
4right, rearTurn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Press switch in to resistance point:
kto open
jto close
Release switch when window is in desired position.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.The closing procedure can be immediately reversed
by either pressing the switch k or pressing
button Œ on the remote control, and holding it.When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
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Page 144 of 323

Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Express opening and closing of door windows
Press switch k or j past resistance point and
release — window opens or closes completely.
To interrupt procedure, briefly press k or j.
If the upward movement of the window is blocked
during the closing procedure, the window will stop
during the last few inches before closure and open
slightly.
When pressing and holding the switch j to close the
window, and upward movement of the window is
blocked during the last few inches before closure, it will
stop but not
open slightly.Note:
The power windows can also be opened and closed with
the infrared remote control while locking the vehicle
doors or trunk, see page 32.
Synchronizing power windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or low), the windows cannot be opened by
the Express feature.
To resynchronize the express feature, press j side of
power window switch until the window is completely
closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat
procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening procedure of the windows
should now be restored.
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
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Page 145 of 323

Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power windows – operated with soft top switch
Soft top switch is located on center console.
In addition to the power window switches, the windows
can also be opened or closed with the soft top switch. The soft top handle must be in the locked position to
operate the power windows.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
To o p e n :
Lift soft top switch quickly twice and hold.
To c l o s e :
Press soft top switch quickly twice and hold.
Release switch when windows are in desired position.
Warning!
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
145
Page 169 of 323
Driving
Parking 195
Tires 195
Control and operation of radio transmitters
170 Snow chains 198
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) 171 Winter driving instructions 198
Maintenance 171 Deep water 199
Catalytic converter 172 Passenger compartment 200
Emission control 173 Travelling abroad 200
Tele Aid 174 Cruise control 201
Steering lock 180 Brake assist system (BAS) 204
Starting and turning off the engine 182 Antilock brake system (ABS) 206
Automatic transmission 183
Electronic stability program (ESP)
208
Parking brake 192 What you should know at the gas station 211
Driving instructions 192 Check regularly and before a long trip 213
Drive sensibly – save fuel 192
Drinking and driving 193
Pedals 193
Power assistance 193
Brakes 193
Driving off 194
169
Page 181 of 323

Steering lock
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock 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.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected.
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Page 193 of 323

Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Drinking and driving
Pedals
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.Power assistance
Brakes
Warning!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
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Page 209 of 323

Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lamp , located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
P54.25-2037-26
209