
228
Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid  (optional)
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be 
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and 
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button. 
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a 
system that is not activated. If the system is not 
activated the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button stays 
on after turning electronic key in starter switch to 
position 2 and the message “TELE AID – NOT 
ACTIVATED” will be shown in the multifunction display 
for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please 
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) 
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
( Te l e matic  Alarm  Identification on  Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response; 
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance 
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the 
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not 
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available. The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted 
when using the volume control on the multifunction 
steering wheel, for raising press button
æand for 
lowering press button ç.
To activate, press the “SOS” button, the Roadside 
Assistance button  or the Information button ¡, 
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call, 
you will receive a user ID and password via first call 
mail. By visiting www.mbus a.com and selecting “Tele 
Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account 
information, remote door unlock, Info Services
* profile 
and more.
* Optional (available only with COMAND)System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter 
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and 
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the 
Roadside Assistance button  and the Information 
button ¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not 
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT 
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the 
multifunction display.  

229
Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the 
“SOS” button, in the “Roadside Assistance” button and 
in the “Information” button do not remain illuminated 
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT 
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the multifunction 
display after the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the 
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
• following an accident in which the Emergency 
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
• if the antitheft alarm or the tow-away alarm stays on 
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 44 and 46.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by 
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror 
labeled “SOS”, then briefly pressing the button located 
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating 
an emergency call manually. Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator 
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. The 
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL” 
appears in the multifunction display. When the 
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY 
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. All information relevant to the 
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle 
(determined by the GPS satellite location system), 
vehicle model, identification number and color are 
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and 
the occupants of the vehicle will be established 
automatically soon after the emergency call has been 
initiated. When a voice connection is established the 
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID – 
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Response Center will attempt 
to determine more precisely the nature of the accident 
provided they can speak to an occupant of the vehicle. 

233
Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button
 remains illuminated in red for approx. 
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning 
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together 
with the “SOS” button and the Information 
button ¡).
See system self-check on page 228 when the indicator 
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than 
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button  is illuminated continuously and there was 
no voice connection to the Response Center established, 
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Roadside 
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone network 
is not available). The message “ROADSIDE 
ASSISTANCE – CALL FAILED” appears in the 
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated using the 
ì button on the multifunction steering wheel. Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the 
Information button
¡. Pressing and holding the 
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to 
the Customer Assistance Center. The button will flash 
while the call is in progress. The message “INFO – 
CONNECTING CALL” will appear in the multifunction 
display. When the connection is established, the 
message “INFO – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit 
data generating the vehicle identification number, 
model, color and location (s ubject to availability of 
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Customer Assistance 
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle 
will be established. When a voice connection is 
established the audio system mutes and the message 
“TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE” appears in the 
multifunction display. Information regarding the 
operation of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz 
Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is 
ava i l ab le  to  yo u .
For more details concerning Tele Aid, please visit 
www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password, sent to 
you separately, to learn more (USA only). 

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Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Information button ¡
remains illuminated in red for approx. 10 seconds 
during the system self-check after turning electronic 
key in starter switch to position 2 (together with the 
“SOS” button and the Roadside Assistance button ).
See system self-check on page 228 when the indicator 
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than 
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information button ¡ is 
illuminated continuously and there was no voice 
connection to the Response Center established, then the 
Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call 
(e.g. the relevant cellular phone network is not 
available). The message “INFO – CALL FAILED” appears 
in the multifunction display.
Information calls can be terminated using the 
ì button on the multifunction steering wheel. Important!
If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after 
pressing one of the buttons or remain illuminated (in 
red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a fault 
or the service is not currently active, and may not 
initiate a call. 
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center and have the system 
checked or contact the Response Center at 1-800-756-
9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as 
soon as possible.
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following 
priority.
• Automatic emergency – First priority
• Manual emergency – Second priority
• Roadside assistance – Third priority
• Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are 
connected, an upgrade (altern ating) tone will be heard, 
and the appropriate indicator lamp will flash. If certain 
information such as vehicle identification number or 
Customer information is not available, the operator may  

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Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen, report the incident 
to the police who will issue a numbered incident report. 
Pass this number on to the Mercedes-Benz Response 
Center.
The Response Center will then attempt to covertly 
contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle 
is located, the Response Center will contact the local 
Law Enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will 
only be provided to Law Enforcement.
Info Services 
(optional-except Canada)
(only vehicles with COMAND)
Info Services categories include news, sports, stocks, 
weather and calendar reminders. Choices can be 
selected via www.mbusa.com or by calling 1-800-FOR-
MERcedes.
To request Info Services press the SVC button on the 
COMAND system, then select “SEND NEW REQUEST 
FOR INFO SERVICE”. “NEW INFO SERVICE REQUEST 
TRANSMITTED” will appear in the COMAND display 
and call status messages will appear in the 
multifunction display. Once information is available, the message “NEW INFO 
RECEIVED - READ LATER WHEN STOPPED?” will 
appear. Select “Yes”. With the vehicle stopped in a safe 
location press SVC, then select “View Info Service of 
mm.dd.yyyy hh.mm”. Messages will be retained for 
30 minutes once the ignition is switched off.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for 
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning 
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these 
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not 
function and if this occurs, assistance must be 
summoned by other means.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button does not 
illuminate during or remains illuminated after the 
system self-check or if the message “TELE AID – 
VISIT WORKSHOP” appears in the multifunction 
display, have the system checked at the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 

242
Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical 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” (gearshift lever in 
neutral). Turn electronic key in starter switch to 
position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. 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. Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal, 
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the 
integrated safety interlock.
Turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to the 
stop. Release only when the engine is firing regularly. 

255
Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
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. 

258
Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
Brakes Excessive use of road salt and other snow melting 
chemicals spread on roads during the winter months 
may cause a build up of moisture or residue to form on 
the braking components. This build up or residue could 
cause light corrosion of the braking components if the 
vehicle is parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and 
even braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to 
warm up and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist 
system (BAS), see page 271.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked 
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required 
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid 
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the 
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and 
steering systems are without power assistance. 
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is 
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without 
applying the brakes or through water deep enough 
to wet brake components or salty road conditions, 
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced 
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to 
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain 
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause 
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby 
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may 
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time 
to avoid an accident.