Page 147 of 399

144 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Headlamp mode 
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be 
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For 
exterior lamp switch, see above.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the 
engine running, the low beam headlamps cannot be 
switched off manually.Automatic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically 
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the 
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are 
switched on and off automatically depending on the 
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can 
still be switched on and off manually using the 
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low 
beam headlamps cannot be switched off manually.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on 
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp cannot be switched 
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU. 
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior switch to 
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the 
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic 
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver. 
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving 
or traffic conditions require you to do so. 
     
        
        Page 148 of 399
145 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps 
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light 
conditions the parking lamps will also switch on.
•Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to 
position “N” or “P”, the low beam switches off 
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch 
should be turned to position B to permit 
activation of the high beam headlamps.•USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated 
when driving with the daytime running lamp mode 
activated and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the 
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT 
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” on page 128.
Note:
See page 143 for notes on the exterior lamp switch. 
     
        
        Page 149 of 399

146 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Night security illumination
At low ambient light conditions and with the engine 
having been switched off, the exterior lamps (fog lamps 
and parking lamps) switch on for added illumination, 
(except in daytime running mode). After the last door 
has been closed the lamp-on time period commences.
See the individual setting menu  “LIGHTING” –
“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH–OFF” on page 128, 
for instructions on how to activate the function.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination 
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to 
60 seconds, see the individual setting menu 
“LIGHTING” – “HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH–OFF” 
on page 128.Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night 
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a 
door.
If after switching the engine off, no doors are opened or 
if after opening the doors they are not closed, the night 
security illumination will switch off automatically 
after 60 seconds.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0 
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before 
getting out of the vehicle. The night security 
illumination will not be activated when the door is 
opened. 
     
        
        Page 150 of 399
147 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locator lighting
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key 
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps 
switch on for approximately 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening 
the driver’s door.
See the individual setting menu “LIGHTING” –  
“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 128, for instructions on 
how to activate the function. Headlamp cleaning system (optional)
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure 
water jet when you press the headlamp washer 
button (1).
See page 320 for instructions on filling up the 
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir. 
P82.10-2780-26 
     
        
        Page 153 of 399

150 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example, 
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove 
electronic key from starter switch. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in 
starter switch position 1).
Emergency operation of windshield wipers
In case of windshield wiper malfunction in switch 
positions I or III, turn combination switch to wiper 
setting II. Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even 
during rain, activate the washer system as often as 
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be 
mixed in the correct ratio.
See page 320 for instructions on filling up the 
windshield washer reservoir.
See page 356 for instructions on replacing wiper blade 
inserts.
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and 
commercially available premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent). 
     
        
        Page 268 of 399

265 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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. 
     
        
        Page 283 of 399
280 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and 
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 320.
2Coolant level, 
see “Coolant level” on page 319
3Brake fluid, (fuse box cover removed),
see “Brake fluid” on page 379
Opening hood, see page 315.
Removing fuse box cover, see page 312.
Ve h i c l e  l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For 
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on 
page 345.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 143.
P01.00-2213-26 
     
        
        Page 305 of 399
302 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LAMP SENSOR
* C = Category, see page 290The headlamps will be switched on automatically if the 
light sensor malfunctions.
The individual setting menu “LIGHTING”, “LIGHT 
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” can be set to “MANUAL”. 
See page 128. It will then be possible to switch the 
headlamps on and off using the exterior lamp switch. 
See page 143 for notes on the exterior lamp switch. DOOR
* C = Category, see page 290. Line 1 Line 2 C*
LAMP SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
DOOR OPEN! 1
P54.30-5440-21