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Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1) 
for Standard “S” and Winter / Wet (snow and ice) “W” 
program modes.
The program mode currently selected is indicated in the 
gear range indicator display.
S
Standard mode
Press switch. “S” is displayed in the gear range 
indicator display, see page 249. Use this mode for 
all regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.
Accelerator Operation: 
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly 
(not into kickdown position) while driving 
continuously, rather than depressing the 
accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause 
the automatic transmission to shift down into a 
lower gear. This gear shifting process is 
dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing 
the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the 
engine’s braking power during performance 
driving. 
         
        
        
     
        
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W Winter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch. “W” is displayed in the gear range 
indicator display, see page 249. The vehicle starts 
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st 
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down 
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and 
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle 
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode. Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever 
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of 
driving characteristics for which you may not be 
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since 
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the 
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch 
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in 
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Emergency operation (Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no 
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating 
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a 
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be 
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be 
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. S to p  t h e  ve h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or  move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 259 of 399
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Parking brake
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DrivingInstrument 
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Parking brake To engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When 
the electronic key is in starter switch position 2, the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should 
come on brightly. 
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument 
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster should go out. 
A warning sounds and the parking brake warning 
message appears in the multifunction display 
(see page 295), if you start to drive without having 
released the parking brake. 
Also see brake warning lamp on page 284.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock the 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could release the parking brake, which 
could result in an accident or serious injury. 
         
        
        
     
        
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All checks and service work on the brake system should 
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz.
Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the 
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use 
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent 
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some 
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream 
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after 
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road 
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on 
the engine until the operating temperature has been 
reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one 
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP 
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the 
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid 
is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be 
degraded to an extent that safe braking is 
substantially impaired. This could result in an 
accident. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Parking Important! It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever 
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move 
selector lever to position “P” (manual transmission: first 
or reverse gear). When parking on hills, always set the 
parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of 
vehicle movement, before
 turning off the engine 
and leaving the vehicle always:
1. Keep right foot on service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P” (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).
4. Slowly release service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to starter switch  position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when  leaving. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
• Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
seepage379.
• Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.
• Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 320.
• Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
• Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit. Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability 
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Driving systems
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3
Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to 
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle 
speed drops below approximately 20 mph 
(30 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. 4
Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when 
driving at a speed exceeding approximately 20 mph
(30 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 starter switch is turned to 
position 1 or 0.
Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the 
cruise control off.