1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 5
Operator’s manual ............................. 6
Where to find it ................................ 11
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 13Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 16
Center console .............................. 18
Overhead control panel ............... 19OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Remote control with
folding master key ...................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Remote control ............................. 25
Panic button .................................. 27
Doors .................................................. 28Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking ...............31
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident .......................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33
Emergency release
for trunk lid ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 44
Seat belts .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 50
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child
seat installed .................................51
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................51
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 52Airbags .............................................. 52
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 59
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 61
Adjusting telescoping
steering column .......................... 63
Rear view mirrors ............................ 64
Instrument cluster ........................... 68
Flexible service
system (FSS) ................................ 75
Checking engine oil level ............... 77
Engine oil consumption .................. 78
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 79
Headlamp cleaning system ............ 80
Combination switch ........................ 81
Hazard warning flasher
switch ............................................ 83
Climate control ................................. 84
Rear window defroster .................... 88
Audio and telephone,
operation ...................................... 91
20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Remote control
with folding master key ............. 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on
the central locking system ........ 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Remote control ............................. 25
Panic button .................................. 27
Doors .................................................. 28
Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking .............. 31
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 32
Trunk ................................................. 33Emergency release for trunk lid ... 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and integrated restraint
system .......................................... 44
Seat belts .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 50
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ..........51
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ..............................................51
Emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) ............................................. 52Airbags .............................................. 52
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 59
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 61
Adjusting telescoping steering
column .......................................... 63
Rear view mirrors ............................ 64
Instrument cluster ........................... 68
Flexible service system (FSS) ........ 75
Checking engine
oil level ......................................... 77
Engine oil consumption .................. 78
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 79
Headlamp cleaning system ............ 80
Combination switch ........................ 81
38 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seats
To operate th e power seat a dju stment sw itche s, turn key
in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with the driver’s or
passenger’s door open, the power seats can also be
operated with the key removed or in steering lock
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 place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the
head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help
reduce injuries during an accident.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with driver’s
or 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.
41 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 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
Stand ard 213.1.
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.
44 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
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, front
and side airbags for driver and passenger, as well as a
knee bolster for the driver’s seat.
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 240.
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 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.
50 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 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.Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible
rearward from the dashboard when the seat is
occupied.
51 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
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 front airbag will not deploy. The 7
indicator lamp located on the center console 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 on the center console
comes on for approximately 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 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 passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
59 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM c ompati ble ch ild seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the
passenger 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 can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle,
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child
restraint. A BabySmart
TM child restraint will turn
off the passenger side front airbag. BabySmart
TM
will not, however, turn off the side impact airbag.
It should be noted that there is a possibility for a
side airbag related injury if occupants, especially
children, are not properly seated or restrained
when next to a side airbag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To h elp avoi d th e possibi li ty of injury, please follow
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially
children, should never place their bodies or lean
their heads in the area of the door where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the side airbag be
activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or
child restraint system for all children 12 years old
or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly.