3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 174
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 175
Maintenance ................................... 175
Catalytic converter ........................ 176
Emission control ............................ 177
Tele Aid ........................................... 178
Steering lock ................................... 188
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 190
Automatic transmission ............... 191
Parking brake .................................200
Driving instructions ......................201
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........201
Drinking and driving ................. 201
Pedals ........................................... 201
Power assistance ........................202Brakes .......................................... 202
Driving off ................................... 203
Parking ........................................ 203
Tires ............................................. 204
Snow chains ............................... 206
Winter driving instructions ..... 207
Winter driving ............................ 208
Deep water .................................. 208
Passenger compartment ........... 209
Traveling abroad ........................ 209
Cruise control .................................210
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................213
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................215
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ............................................217
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 221
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 223
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................226
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................226
Brake warning lamp ..................227
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................228
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................228
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............229
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................229
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................229
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................230
Seat belt warning lamp .............230
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19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see Index on page 309.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate
control, see page 120.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 114
4Parking brake release, see page 200
5Parking brake pedal, see page 200
6Hood lock release, see page 249
7Combination switch, see page 117
8Cruise control switch, see page 210
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 88
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 82
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter switch,
see page 18813Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 55
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 116
17Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 52
18Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 119
19Central locking switch, see page 36
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
see page 42
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 55
22Automatic climate control, see page 120
Rear window defroster switch, see page 124
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 153
24Audio system, see page 127
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 156
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173 Contents – Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 174
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 175
Maintenance ................................... 175
Catalytic converter ........................ 176
Emission control ............................ 177
Tele Aid ........................................... 178
Steering lock ................................... 188
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 190
Automatic transmission ............... 191
Parking brake .................................200
Driving instructions ......................201
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........201
Drinking and driving ................. 201
Pedals ........................................... 201
Power assistance ........................202Brakes .......................................... 202
Driving off ................................... 203
Parking ........................................ 203
Tires ............................................. 204
Snow chains ............................... 206
Winter driving instructions ..... 207
Winter driving ............................ 208
Deep water .................................. 208
Passenger compartment ........... 209
Traveling abroad ........................ 209
Cruise control .................................210
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................213
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................215
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ............................................217
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 221
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 223
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207 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.
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210 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to drive in a more relaxed
manner, for example over long distances, as it
automatically maintains the set speed by actively
regulating the throttle setting.
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) can be maintained with the cruise control by
operating the lever.1Accelerate and set:
Lift lever briefly to set speed.
Hold lever up to accelerate.
2Decelerate and set:
Depress lever briefly to set speed.
Hold lever down to decelerate.
Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired
speed with the accelerator.
Speed is set by briefly pushing the lever to
position 1 or 2. The accelerator can then be
released.
The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing) by
using the accelerator. After the accelerator is
released, the previously set speed will be resumed
automatically.
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased
slig htly, e. g . to a da pt to th e tra f f ic f low, h old lever in
position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or
briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for
increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
increments. When the lever is released, the newly
set speed remains.
1
4
2
3
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211 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle
speed drops below approx. 25 mph (40 km/h), for
example when driving upgrade, the cruise control
will be canceled.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when
driving at a speed exceeding approx. 25 mph
(40 km/h), the vehicle resumes the speed which
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise
control. The last memorized speed is canceled when
the electronic key in the steering lock is turned to
position 1 or 0.Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the
cruise control off.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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212 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
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232 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The coolant temperature gauge,
tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
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