
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Always place items being carried against front or rear 
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept 
as low as possible since it influences the handling 
characteristics of the vehicle.
Notes:
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be used for items 
which do not fit in the trunk alone.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden 
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around 
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle 
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in 
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or 
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing 
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if 
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than 
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf 
below the rear window.Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while pass-
through is not closed and seat backrest sections not 
locked in their upright positions. Deadly carbon 
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior 
resulting in unconsciousness and death. The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle 
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore 
recommended to load the vehicle according to the 
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being 
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
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Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index In the event of an ETR or airbag deployment, if the 
system cannot connect to the Emergency Response
Center, it will attempt to contact 9-1-1. Close the
cover (1) after the emergency call is concluded.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the 
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in 
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for 
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency 
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a 
safe location. The Response Center will 
automatically contact local emergency officials 
with the vehicle’s approximate location 
Roadside Assistance button •
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside 
Assistance button•. Pressing and holding the 
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a 
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The 
button will flash while the call is in progress. The 
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING 
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE 
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit 
data generating the vehicle identification number, 
model, color and location (subject to availability of 
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance 
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be 
established.  The nature of the need for assistance 
can then be described. 
.
 For services such as labor and/or towing charges
 may apply.Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual 
for moreinformation. Sign and Drive services: Services such as jump start, 
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a f lat tire 
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable
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Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the 
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the 
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do 
not engage “N” while driving except to coast 
when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on 
icy roads, see winter driving instructions on 
page190).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other 
reason with selector lever in “N” can result in 
transmission damage that is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The transmission automatically upshifts through 
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving 
characteristics under all normal operating 
conditions.Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances 
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the 
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the 
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the çdirection:
The transmission downshifts, one gear at a time, in the 
orderD, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Press and hold selector lever in the çdirection:
The selector lever position display will switch to the 
gear range currently selected by the automatic 
transmission.
The transmission will only shift down one gear if the 
gear range currently selected has already shifted to its 
highest possible gear.
Briefly press selector lever in the ædirection:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range 
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is 
already in gear range “D”, an additional upshift of one 
gear is possible.
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Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking
Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever 
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move 
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of 
vehicle movement, before
 turning off the engine 
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to steering lock 
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when 
leaving.Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These 
indicators are located in six places on the tread 
circumference and become visible at a tread depth of 
approximately 
1/16in (1.5 mm), at which point the tire is 
considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across 
the tread.
Warning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride 
disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage to 
your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the 
hazard warning f lashers, carefully slow down, and 
drive with caution to an area which is a safe 
distance from the roadway.Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for possible 
damage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have 
it towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or 
tire dealer for repairs.
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Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces 
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving 
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by 
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a 
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also 
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the 
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in 
operation.
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes
  adapt your speed 
and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see 
towing the vehicle on page253), the engine must be 
shut off (electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1). 
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and 
will apply the rear wheel brakes.Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is 
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning 
lamp in the speedometer dial come on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should 
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on 
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction 
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in 
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS 
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.
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Practical hints
Spare wheel 241
Changing wheels 242
First aid kit 228 Tire inflation pressure 247
Shelf below rear window 228 Battery 249
Stowing things in the vehicle 228 Jump starting 251
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage Towing the vehicle 253
compartment 229 Transmission selector lever,
Vehicle jack 230 manually unlocking 255
Fuses 231 Bulbs 256
Hood 233 Adjusting headlamp aim 261
Checking engine oil level 234 Changing batteries in the
Automatic transmission fluid level 236 electronic main key 264
Coolant level 236 Synchronizing remote control 266
Adding coolant 237 Emergency operation of
Windshield washer / headlamp
clean.system 238sliding/pop-up roof 267
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio 238Manual release for fuel filler flap
268
Wheels 239 Replacing wiper blade insert 268
Tire replacement 239 Trunk lamp 270
Rotating wheels 240 Roof rack 270
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First aid kit
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is stored in the shelf below the rear 
window. Pull handle (1) to open the lid.Shelf below rear window
Stowing things in the vehicle
P86.30-2003-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
The shelf below the rear window should not be 
used to carry objects. This will avoid such objects 
from being thrown about and injuring vehicle 
occupants during an accident or sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or 
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing 
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if 
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than 
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf 
below the rear window.
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Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Towing the vehicle
Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle 
doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear 
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph 
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the  vehicle door locks from locking, 
deactivate the automatic central locking, see page36.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the 
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in 
steering lock position 2.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, the 
steering is locked. To unlock, remove electronic key 
from steering lock and reinsert.
The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the 
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the 
passenger side behind a cover in the bumper panel.
Cover removal: 
Insert finger in recess of cover and pull cover out.
Cover installation: 
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
P88.20-2026-26
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