
4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator lamps in 
the center console .....................230
AIRBAG OFF 
indicator lamp .............................230
Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  ............... 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................232
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........233
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................234
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................234
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............235
BRAKE FLUID  .............................235PARKING BRAKE ....................... 236
ENGINE FAN ............................... 236
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 237
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 238
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ................... 239
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 240
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  .......... 240
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 241
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program) ..................................... 242
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 242
WASHER FLUID  ......................... 243
TELE AID ..................................... 244
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................246
Shelf below rear window  ..............246
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......246
Fuses ................................................247
Hood .................................................249
Checking engine 
oil level  ....................................... 251
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................252
Coolant level  ...................................252
Adding coolant  ...........................253
Windshield washer/headlamp 
cleaning system  ........................254
Windshield and 
headlamp washer 
fluid mixing ratio  .......................254 

67 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Side impact airbag
The side impact airbags are located in the doors.
The most effective occupant restraint system yet 
developed for use in production vehicles is the seat belt. 
In some cases, however, the protective effect of a seat 
belt can be further enhanced by an airbag.
In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver 
and front passenger airbags can provide increased 
protection for the driver and front passenger in certain 
frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Door mounted side impact airbags can provide increased 
protection to belted front passengers on the impacted 
side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset 
threshold.
Important!
The operational readiness of the airbag system is 
verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument 
cluster when turning the electronic key in steering lock 
to position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go 
out after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes 
out, the system continues to monitor the components 
and circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a 
malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp does not 
come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after 
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, 
a malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or 
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition 
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning 
retractors, seat sensor.
3
P91.60-2122-26 

68 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Initially, when the electronic key is turned from steering 
lock position 0 to positions 1 or 2, malfunctions in the 
crash-sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS” 
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does 
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has 
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or 
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the 
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses, 
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and 
indicated.Front airbags
The driver and front passenger front airbags are 
designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts 
exceeding a preset threshold.
The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front 
passenger seat is occupied and the indicator lamp on 
the center console is not illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to 
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in 
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to 
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated 
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be 
operational. For your safety, we strongly 
recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately to have the system 
checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be activated 
when needed in an accident, which could result in 
serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy 
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also 
result in injury. 

78 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and 
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex 
mirror.
Antiglare night position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the 
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in 
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior lamp switched on, the mirror brightness does 
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
mirror.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, 
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek medical 
help if necessary. 

86 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red 
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause 
serious engine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper 
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by 
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This 
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature 
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer 
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external 
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps 
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of 
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have leaked 
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You 
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause 
serious burns and can occur just by opening 
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if 
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do 
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed 
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore 
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated 
temperatures just above the freezing point do not 
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. 

118 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Control for windshield wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for single wipe without adding washer 
fluid (use only when windshield is wet).
Push past detent and hold to activate wiper and 
washer.
Notes:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are 
automatically heated.
See page 254 for refilling windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system.7Windshield wiper
0Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping 
(vehicles with optional rain sensor: One initial 
wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically 
controlled by a rain sensor monitoring the 
wetness of the windshield.)
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs 
when turning the electronic main key in steering 
lock from position 0.
Vehicles with optional rain sensor: 
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle 
is taken to an automatic car wash or during 
windshield cleaning. Wiper will operate in 
presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper 
may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
P54.25-2033-26
6
7 

176 Catalytic converter
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type 
catalytic converters, an important element in 
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve 
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust 
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating 
condition by following our recommended maintenance 
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only 
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should 
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned 
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to 
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate 
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials 
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact 
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials 
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. 

225 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 .............................229Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp  ............................ 230
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 230
Malfunction and indicator lamps in 
the center console  .................... 230
AIRBAG OFF 
indicator lamp  ............................ 230
Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 232
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 233
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 234
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 234
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 235
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 235PARKING BRAKE  .......................236
ENGINE FAN  ...............................236
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................237
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ................238
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................239
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................240
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........240
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 241
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program) ......................................242
REMOVE KEY  .............................242
WASHER FLUID  .........................243
TELE AID  .....................................244