
115 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination, 
s e e p a g e 116
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 290
3Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged, 
see page 301
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction 
indicator lamp, see page 293
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 117
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 117
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 293
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 160
9Speedometer, see page 118
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp, 
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 295
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic 
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient, 
see page 264 and page 295.12Multifunction display, see page 120
Instrument cluster display, see page 297
13Trip odometer, see page 119 and 124
14Main odometer, see page 124
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 160
16Tachometer, see page 119
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever 
positions on page 232
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator 
lamp, see page 294
20High beam headlamp indicator, 
see exterior lamp switch, page 156, and 
combination switch, page 160
21Fasten seat belts, see page  296
22Reset buttonJ,   s e e   p a g e s 116 , 119  
Activating the instrument cluster display
The instrument cluster is activated by:•Opening the door
1.
•Pressing button  Jon the instrument cluster
1. 

116 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Turning the electronic key in starter switch to 
position 1 or 2.
•Switching on the exterior lamps.
1 The instrument cluster is activated for approx. 30 seconds.Instrument cluster illumination
The instrument cluster illumination is dimmed or 
brightened automatically to suit daylight lighting 
conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be 
adjusted when the vehicle’s exterior lamps are 
switched on.Display illumination, changing basic settings for driving 
at dusk or in darkness:
Press adjusting knob (1) – the knob will pop out.
Rotate adjusting knob (1) clockwise – instrument lamp 
intensity increases.
Rotate adjusting knob (1) counterclockwise – 
instrument lamp intensity decreases.
Push knob back into panel.
Note:
It is not possible to select a basic brightness setting in 
daylight – the intensity is adjusted automatically. 

141 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the menu “INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” 
can be called up in this option menu.
3Selection marker
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction 
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
4“TEMP. INDICATOR” – the unit set is displayed in 
the outside temperature display, in the instrument 
cluster and in the automatic air conditioner display.
5“SPEEDOMETER” – the unit set is displayed in the 
multifunction display
For setting clock, see separate COMAND 
operator’s manual.
6“TEXT” – sets the language used in the 
multifunction display
7Returning the setting menu “INSTRUMENT 
CLUSTER” to the factory setting.
8Acknowledgment
Press theè or ÿbutton repeatedly until the 
individual setting preliminary display (1) appears.
Press thej or kbutton until the setting menu 
“SETTINGS” (2) is displayed.Press buttonæ orç until the menu 
“INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” is selected by the selection 
marker (3).
Press thej or kbutton until the required 
display (4 to 6) is displayed. Pressing theæ orç 
button controls the selection marker. The settings made 
are stored and applied immediately.
The individual setting preliminary display (1) will 
appear again after you have run through all the setting 
menus. Pressing theè or ÿbutton displays the 
next or previous system.
To return menu “INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” (4 to 6) to 
its factory setting:
•Call up menu (4 to 6).
•Press the  Jbutton in the instrument cluster for 
approximately 3 seconds. Display (7) will appear.
•Press the  Jbutton once more. The menu 
“INSTR. CLUSTER”  is reset to factory settings, 
acknowledged by display (8). 
The individual setting display “SETTINGS” (2) will 
appear if you do not press the  Jbutton within 
about 5 seconds. The setting menus will not be 
reset. 

227 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Starting
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4°F 
(-20°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject.
Starting the engine with electronic key:
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2. 
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to 
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the 
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
Starting the engine with KEYLESS-GO:
Note:
For improved recognition of the chip card the doors 
should be closed when pressing the start-/stop button.
Depress brake pedal during the starting procedure.
Briefly press start-/stop button on gear selector lever. 
The starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
press start-/stop button on gear selector lever and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 

335 Spare wheel
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Jack
2Luggage bowl with vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, 
fuses, fuse extractor and fuse chart
3Storage tray
4Spare wheel Lift trunk floor and engage handle in upper edge of 
trunk.
Always lower trunk f loor before closing trunk lid.
To remove the spare wheel: 
Take out the vehicle tool kit tray.
T u rn  t h e  l u g g a g e  b ow l  c o u n te r c l ock w i s e  a n d  r e m ov e  t h e  
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with 
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Place vehicle tool kit tray in luggage bowl.
P40.10-0523-26
1
4
3
2 

336 Jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Jack
To prepare the jack for use:
Remove the jack from the spare wheel well under the 
trunk floor, push the crank handle up and turn 
clockwise until it engages (operational position).Storing the jack in the trunk:
Retract the jack arm to the base of the jack, push the 
crank handle up and turn counterclockwise to the end 
of the stop (storage position).
P58.10-2001-26
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the 
veh icle at th e jack tu bes bu ilt into eit her side of th e 
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack 
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. 
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by  t he jack. Keep hands and feet away from th e area 
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking 
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with 
jack.Do not disengage parki ng brake wh ile th e vehi cle i s 
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical 
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use 
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm 
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the 
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before 
working under the vehicle. 

347 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk 
under the right-hand wheel well cover panel.
For battery removal or installation, or jump starting the 
vehicle, first lift the trunk f loor, then turn lock (1) 
counterclockwise and remove cover.
Important!
Battery replacement information:The service life of the battery is dependent on its 
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept 
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length 
of time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the 
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if 
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than 
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month, 
mostly  for sh ort di stance trips, or if it  is not u sed for 
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the 
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s 
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and 
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always 
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the 
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The 
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite 
plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle 
is in operation. 

348 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps 
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the 
generator and other electronic components would be 
damaged.
Note:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock (see 
COMAND operator’s manual) resynchronize the express 
feature of the power windows (see page 180), the 
sliding/pop-up roof (see page 183), and the electronic 
stability program (see page 272).Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the 
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of 
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old 
batteries for recycling.