
1
Contents
IntroductionProduct information ..........................  7
Operator’s manual .............................  8
Where to find it ................................  13
Reporting Safety Defects ................  15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ...............  18
Door control panel .......................  20
Overhead control panel ...............  21
Dashboard .....................................  22
Center console ..............................  24OperationVehicle keys ......................................  28
Start lock-out.....................................  30
General notes on the  central locking system ...............  30
Central locking system ...................  31 Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control ...............  31
Locking and unlocking ................  33 Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control..............  33
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside .................................  34
Panic button .................................  35
Mechanical keys ..........................  35
Doors .................................................  36
Central locking switch....................  38
Automatic central locking..............  40
Emergency unlocking  in case of accident ......................  40
Trunk.................................................. 41
Trunk lid emergency release  .......  43
Antitheft alarm system...................  44
Tow-away alarm ...............................  46
Easy-entry/exit feature ..................  47
Front seat adjustment.....................  48
Removal and installation of  front seat head restraints ..........  54
Front seat backrest  - locking and unlocking .............  56
Heated seats .....................................  58
Rear seat head restraints ...............  60 Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system ..........................  62
Seat belts ...........................................  62
Seat belt nonusage  warning system ...........................  63
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system ....................  69
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed ........  69
Supplemental Restraint  System (SRS)................................  70
Emergency tensioning  retractor (ETR).............................  71
Airbags ..............................................  72
Safety guidelines for the seat  belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag....................  80
Infant and child  restraint systems.........................  82
Steering wheel adjustment  (manual) .......................................  87
Steering wheel adjustment  (electrical) ....................................  88
Rear view mirrors ............................  89
Instrument cluster ...........................  96 

26
Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ......................................  28
Start lock-out.....................................  30
General notes on the 
central locking system ...............  30
Central locking system ...................  31 Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control ...............  31
Locking and unlocking ................  33
Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control ..............  33
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside ..................................  34
Panic button ..................................  35
Mechanical keys ...........................  35
Doors ..................................................  36
Central locking switch ....................  38
Automatic central locking ..............  40
Emergency unlocking  in case of accident ......................  40
Trunk .................................................  41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........  43
Antitheft alarm system ...................  44 Tow-away alarm ...............................  46
Easy-entry/exit feature ..................  47
Front seat adjustment.....................  48
Removal and installation of 
front seat head restraints ..........  54
Front seat backrest  - locking and unlocking .............  56
Heated seats .....................................  58
Rear seat head restraints ...............  60
Seat belts and integrated  restraint system ..........................  62
Seat belts ..........................................  62
Seat belt nonusage  warning system...........................  63
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system....................  69
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed ........  69
Supplemental Restraint  System (SRS) ...............................  70
Emergency tensioning  retractor (ETR) ............................. 71
Airbags..............................................  72 Safety guidelines for the seat 
belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag....................  80
Infant and child  restraint systems.........................  82
Steering wheel adjustment  (manual) .......................................  87
Steering wheel adjustment  (electrical) ....................................  88
Rear view mirrors ............................  89
Instrument cluster ...........................  96
Multifunction steering wheel,  multifunction display ...............  102
Trip and main odometer and sub menu ...................................  106
Audio systems ................................  108
Radio ............................................  108
CD player .....................................  109
Cassette player ...........................  110
Telephone ......................................... 111
Navigation system........................... 116
Trip computer .................................  117
Malfunction/warning message memory ....................... 119 

48
Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Front seat adjustment 
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches, 
turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 
or 2 (with respective door open, the power seats can 
also be operated with the electronic key removed or in 
starter switch position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. 
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the 
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back 
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position 
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat 
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt 
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That 
could cause serious or fatal injuries. The seat back 
and seat belts provide the best restraint when the 
wearer is in an upright position and belts are 
properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock 
your vehicle. The power seats can also be operated with the 
driver’s or front passenger door open. Do not leave 
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access 
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle 
equipment may cause serious personal injury. 

53
Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section on page 72 for proper seat 
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
side 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.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint. 

57
Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your 
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the 
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave 
children unattended in the vehicle or with access 
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle 
equipment may cause serious personal injury.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts during a seat adjustment procedure.
Wa r n i n g !
When raising backrest, observe that backrest is not 
pushed against an occupant or object.Vehicles with manual seat:
After folding backrest up, adjust head restraint to 
support the back of the head approximately at ear 
level. 

62
Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats, 
emergency tensioning retractors for all seat belts, dual 
front airbags, door mounted side impact airbags, and 
head protective window curtain airbags. Their 
protective functions are designed to complement one 
another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require 
seat belt use. 
All states and provinces require use of child restraints 
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All child restraints systems are designed to be secured 
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a 
lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly 
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
side 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 will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint. 

68
Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be 
positioned as low as possible on the hips to 
avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the 
floor in front of the seat.Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the 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 will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in the back 
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or 
child restraint system, which is properly secured 
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance 
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.Children too big for child restraint systems must 
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position 
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or 
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve 
proper belt positioning. 

69
Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments 
and controls Operation
DrivingInstrument 
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed 
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for 
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system. 
With the special child seat properly installed, the 
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The  ü  indicator lamp located in the center console 
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed 
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not 
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat 
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to 
position 1 or 2, the ü  indicator lamp located in the 
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds 
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is 
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must 
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating 
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 289 for 
notes on the  ü indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will 
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to 
operate with it. It will not work with child seats 
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and 
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the 
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The 
bottom of the child seat must make full contact 
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly 
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the 
child in case of an accident instead of protecting 
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if 
the  ü  indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time 
you use the special system child seat. Should the 
light go out while the restraint is installed, please 
check installation. If the light remains out, do not 
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children 
on the front passenger seat until the system has 
been repaired.