3 ContentsStorage compartment
(eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ....................... 124
Interior central
locking system ............................ 125
Integration with vehicle
central locking system .............. 126
Separate locking of storage
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest ........................................... 127
Console storage
compartments ............................ 127
Cup holder ...................................... 128
Parcel net in
passenger footwell .................... 128
Door pockets ................................... 129
Rear storage compartment ........... 129
Ashtray with lighter ...................... 130
Lighter ............................................. 131
Telephone, general ........................ 132
Garage door opener ....................... 133
Hardtop or panorama roof ............ 137
Removing hardtop ...................... 137
Attaching hardtop ...................... 140Soft top ............................................ 143
Lowering soft top ....................... 144
Raising soft top .......................... 145
Wind screen ................................... 148
Antenna ...........................................151
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ................................153
Radio, telephone and
two-way radio ..............................153
Telep ho n es an d
two-way radio ..............................153
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ..................................154
Maintenance ...................................154
Tele Aid ............................................155
Catalytic converter .........................163
Emission control .............................164
Steering lock ...................................165
Starting and turning off
the engine ...................................167
Before starting .............................167
Starting .........................................167Turning off .................................. 167
Automatic transmission ............... 168
Driving ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172
Stopping ....................................... 172
Program mode
selector switch ............................ 173
Emergency Operation ................ 174
Parking brake ................................. 175
Driving instructions ...................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel .......... 176
Drinking and driving ................. 176
Pedals ........................................... 176
Power assistance ........................ 177
Brakes .......................................... 177
Driving off ................................... 178
Parking ........................................ 178
Tires ............................................. 179
Aquaplaning ............................... 180
Tire traction ................................ 180
Tire speed rating ........................ 181
Snow chains ................................ 181
152 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 153
Radio, telephone and
two-way radio .............................. 153
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 154
Maintenance ................................... 154
Tele Aid ........................................... 155
Catalytic converter ........................ 163
Emission control ............................ 164
Steering lock ................................... 165
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 167
Before starting ............................ 167
Starting ........................................ 167
Turning off .................................. 167
Automatic transmission ............... 168
Driving ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172
Stopping ....................................... 172Program mode
selector switch ........................... 173
Emergency Operation ................174
Parking brake ................................ 175
Driving instructions ....................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel .......... 176
Drinking and driving ................. 176
Pedals ........................................... 176
Power assistance ........................ 177
Brakes .......................................... 177
Driving off ................................... 178
Parking ........................................ 178
Tires ............................................. 179
Aquaplaning ................................180
Tire traction .................................180
Tire speed rating ........................181
Snow chains ................................ 181
Ve h i c l e s w i t h s p o r t
package ........................................181
Winter driving
instructions .................................182
Winter driving .............................183
Block heater .................................183
Deep water ...................................184Traveling abroad ........................ 184
Cruise control ................................. 185
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 188
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 190
ABS control ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP .................... 193
ESP Control Switch .................... 194
Level control system ...................... 196
Level control switch
positions ...................................... 196
Normal Level ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch ............... 198
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) ........................................... 199
Adaptive damping system
adjustment .................................. 199
What you should know at the gas
station .........................................200
Fuel supply ..................................200
Fuel ...............................................200
Check regularly and before
a long trip ...................................202
160 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
• Automatic emergency – First priority
• Manual emergency – Second priority
• Roadside assistance – Third priority
• Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will f lash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
c omplete. Once a cal l is concl uded , a ch irp w ill be hea rd ,
the appropriate indicator lamp will stop flashing and a
tone will be heard indicating that the system has reset.
The audio system operation will resume.Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. A message will appear in the radio display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.
177 Driving insturctions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake f luid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Al l checks and service work on the brake system shoul d
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
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.Wa r n i n g !
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.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, t he braking properties of th e vehic le can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
211 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Charge indicator lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp fail to
come on prior to starting when the key is in
steering l ock position 2 or sh ou ld it fa il to go
out after starting or during operation, this indicates a
malfunction which must be repaired immediately at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If th e ch arge indica tor l amp com es on, or a loss of power
steering assistance is noticeable while the engine is
running, this may indicate that one of the two poly-V-
belts has broken. Should this condition occur, the poly-
V-belt mu st be repl aced before continuing to operate t he
vehicle. Otherwise, the engine may overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may result in damage to
the engine.
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with the charge
indicator lamp illuminated. Doing so could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Exterior lamp failure indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, an
indicator lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, this lamp
indicates a failure in the parking lamp, taillamp, stop
lamp, or low beam headlamp.
If a n exterior lamp fa ils, the indica tor lamp will com e on
only when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the lamp failure indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stays on until the
engine is turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting equipment is installed (e.g.
auxiliary headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the
fuse before the failure indicator monitoring unit in
order to avoid damaging the system.
220 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To cl os e:
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
a pprox. 1 f t. (30 cm), assisting w it h h ands pla ced f la t on
edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts wh en t he hood is open and th e engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run another
approximate 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do
not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If
necessary, call a fire department.
290
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
PPanic button ...................................................................... 33
Parcel net in passenger footwell ................................. 128
Parking ............................................................................ 178
Parking brake ................................................................. 175
Brake warning lamp .................................................204
Passenger airbag indicator lamp ................................. 213
Power assistance ............................................................ 177
Power sunshade ............................................................. 122
Power windows ................................................................116
Express opening ........................................................117
Opening with key ........................................................ 41
Problems with your vehicle ........................................... 14
Product information .......................................................... 7RRadio, telephone and two-way radio ........................... 153
Rain sensor ....................................................................... 87
Raising soft top manually .............................................253
Reading lamps ................................................................ 120
Rear storage compartment ........................................... 129
Rear view mirrors ............................................................ 71
Exterior ......................................................................... 72Inside ............................................................................ 71
Remote control .................................................................28
Changing batteries ...................................................251
Synchronizing .......................................................... 252
Replacement keys
Obtaining ......................................................................29
Replacing wiper blade insert ...................................... 257
Roll bar ............................................................................ 118
Roll bar warning lamp ................................................... 212
SSafety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag ................................66
Seat belt nonusage warning system .............................53
Seat belts ........................................................................... 52
Fastening ......................................................................54
Unfastening .................................................................. 56
Warning lamp ........................................................... 206
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 52
Seats ...................................................................................44
Seat heater ...................................................................50
Snow chains .................................................................... 181
Soft top .............................................................................143
Lowering ..................................................................... 144