Page 75 of 329

72 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with 
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver’s seat as far as possible 
rearward, still permitting proper operation of 
vehicle controls. The distance from the center 
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the 
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at 
least ten i nch es (25 cm ) or m ore. You  shou ld be 
able to accomplish this by a combination of 
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If 
you have any problems, please see your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean wit h your h ead or chest close to th e 
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel 
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim 
can increase the risk and potential severity of 
hand/arm injury when the driver front airbag 
inflates.
• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as 
possible rearward from the dashboard when 
the seat is occupied.• 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 
seat belts, and appropriate size infant or child 
restraint system.• Children 12 years old and under must never 
ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-
Benz authorized BabySmart
TM c om p at i bl e  ch i l d 
seat, which operates with the BabySmart
TM 
system installed in t he veh icle to deac tivate t he 
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. 
     
        
        Page 223 of 329

220 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is 
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning 
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should 
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on 
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction 
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in 
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS 
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 244.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the 
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended 
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine 
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp 
should go out. 
     
        
        Page 262 of 329

259 Tires, Wheels
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data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation, 
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. 
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further 
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
information on tested and recommended rims and tires 
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer 
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires 
must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions, 
see “Technical Data”.
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx. 
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be 
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm) 
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread 
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained 
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the 
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in 
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident. 
     
        
        Page 264 of 329

261 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2.
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of 
the same type as on the vehicle’s front axle, and is fully 
functional. However, that spare wheel rim is weight 
optimized and has a limited service life of 12 000 miles 
(20 000 km) use before a standard wheel rim must 
replace it.
In the case of a rear axle f lat tire, you may temporarily 
use the spare wheel, when observing the following 
restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the 
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare 
wheel mounted.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction 
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare 
wheel, observe the following restriction:Unid irectional tires must a lways be mou nted wit h a rrow 
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward 
movement.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries.The dimensions of the spare wheel are different 
from those of the road wheels of the rear axle. As a 
result, the vehicle handling characteristics change 
when driving with a spare wheel mounted on the 
rear axle.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily, 
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as 
possible.