
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Problems with your vehicle  ........... 14
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Door control panel  ....................... 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21
Dashboard  ..................................... 22
Center console  .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Remote control with folding 
master key  ..................................... 28
Central locking system  ................... 30
Remote control  ............................. 30
Locking and unlocking ................ 31Choosing global or selective mode 
on remote control  ........................ 32
Opening the trunk ....................... 32
Panic button  ................................. 33
Start lock-out  .................................... 34
General notes on the 
central locking system ............... 34
Doors  ................................................. 35
Central locking switch .................... 37
Automatic central locking  .......... 38
Emergency unlocking in case of 
accident ........................................ 39
Trunk ................................................. 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 40
Power windows  .................................41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory  ....... 46
Backrest  ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats  .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 52Seat belts  ........................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................. 54
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system  ........................................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed  ........ 59
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................ 59
Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR)  ............................................. 60
Airbags  .............................................. 60
Front airbags  ................................ 62
Side impact airbags  ..................... 63
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning retractor 
and airbag  ..................................... 66
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 67
Adjusting steering column  ............. 70
Storing steering column 
position in memory  ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71 

26 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Remote control with folding 
master key  ..................................... 28
Central locking system  ................... 30
Remote control  ............................. 30
Locking and unlocking ................ 31
Choosing global or selective mode 
on remote control  ......................... 32
Opening the trunk  ....................... 32
Panic button  .................................. 33
Start lock-out  .................................... 34
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 34
Doors .................................................. 35
Central locking switch  .................... 37
Automatic central locking  .......... 38
Emergency unlocking in case of 
accident  ........................................ 39
Trunk  ................................................. 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................. 40
Power windows ................................. 41
Antitheft alarm system  ................... 42Tow-away alarm  ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory  ....... 46
Backrest  ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats  .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 52
Seat belts  .......................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts  ................ 54
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system  .......................................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed  ........ 59
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ............................... 59
Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 60
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags  ................................ 62
Side impact airbags ..................... 63Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning retractor 
and airbag  ..................................... 66
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 67
Adjusting steering column  ............. 70
Storing steering column 
position in memory  ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71
Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors .......... 72
Storing mirror positions in 
memory .......................................... 73
Instrument cluster  ........................... 74
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster  ....................... 76
Additional function indicator 
lamps .............................................. 77
Instrument lamps ......................... 77
Display illumination  .................... 77
Coolant temperature gauge  ........ 78
Outside temperature 
indicator  ........................................ 78 

45 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5Head restraint
(with shoulder belt height adjustment)
Adjust the head restraint so that the upper portion 
of the shoulder belt is located as close as possible to 
the middle of the shoulder. The head restraint can 
be tilted forward by hand.
Note:
To prevent the backrest from touching the soft top 
storage compartment cover when the seat is moved 
back, the backrest will automatically move to a more 
upright position.
When reclining the backrest, the seat will automatically 
move forward to prevent the backrest from touching the 
soft top storage compartment cover.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with a 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.
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 backrest 
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 even fatal injuries. The backrest and seat 
belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is 
in an upright position and the belt is properly 
positioned on the body.The rear storage area should never be occupied by 
passengers since the vehicle is a 2 seater. 
Fu rth ermore, there i s a ri sk of inju ry i n the rear by  
adjusting the power assisted front seats.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts while a seat is being adjusted. 

47 Seats
Technical
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. 
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head 
approximately at ear level. See also airbag section for 
proper seat positioning on page 60.
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, rear view mirror, and steering 
wheel adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
this vehicle, 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.Infants and small children must 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. 

52 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with lap-shoulder seat belts, 
emergency tensioning retractors for the seat belts, as 
well as airbags and knee bolsters.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require 
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints 
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in 
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passenger we strongly 
recommend their use.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 265.
Wa r n i n g !
The seat belts provide protection only with the 
backrest locked in place. If the seat belt warning 
lamp<  does not go out, but is instead lit 
continuously, then a backrest is not engaged in its 
lock.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest 
reclined. Sitting in an excessi vely 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 even fatal injuries. The 
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint 
when the wearer is in an upright position and the 
belt is properly positioned on the body. 

53 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belt nonusage warning system
With the key in steering lock position 2, a warning 
sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt is not 
fastened.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to wear and properly fasten and position 
your seat belt greatly increases your risk of 
injuries and their likely severity in an accident. 
You and your passenger should always wear seat 
belts.If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be 
considerably more severe without your seat belt 
properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, 
you are much more likely to hit the interior of the 
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously 
injured or killed.In th e sam e c rash, th e possibility  of injury or death  
is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt.Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there 
are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in 
the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate 
seat belt.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
this vehicle, 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 wh en 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 can 
result.
Infants and small children must 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. 

57 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, 
against you neck or off your shoulder. In a 
crash, your body would move too far forward. 
That would increase the chance of head and 
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too 
much force to the ribs or abdomen, which 
could severely injure internal organs such as 
your liver or spleen.• Each seat belt must never be used for more 
than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat 
belt around a person and another person or 
other objects.• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, 
you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to 
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against 
your body could cause injuries.• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be 
positioned as low as possible on the hips to 
avoid pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel 
or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the 
floor in front of the seat.
Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
this vehicle, 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 wh en 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.
Infants and small children must 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.Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible 
rearward from the dashboard when the seat is 
occupied. 

58 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed 
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for 
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the 
passenger side front airbag will not deploy. The 7 
indicator lamp located in the dashboard will be 
illuminated, except with key removed or in steering lock 
position 0. The system does not deactivate the door 
mounted side impact airbag.Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning key in steering lock to position 1 or 2, the 
7 indicator lamp located in the dashboard comes on 
for approx. 6 seconds and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is 
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must 
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating 
any child on the front passenger seat.BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will 
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to 
operate with it. It will not work with child seats 
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and 
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the 
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if 
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every time 
you use the special system child seat.
Should the light go out while the restraint is 
installed, please check installation. If the light 
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint 
to transport children on the front passenger seat 
until the system has been repaired.