
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 ................  33Choosing 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 ...............  60Seat 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 

3 ContentsMaintenance ................................... 227
Tele Aid............................................ 228
Catalytic converter......................... 238
Emission control ............................ 239
Starter switch ................................. 240
Starting and turning off 
the engine .................................. 242
Manual transmission .................... 244
Automatic transmission................ 246
Parking brake ................................. 256
Driving instructions ...................... 257
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel........ 257
Drinking and driving................. 257
Pedals ........................................... 257
Power assistance ........................ 258
Brakes .......................................... 258
Driving off ................................... 259
Parking ........................................ 260
Tires .............................................  261
Snow chains ................................ 263
Winter driving instructions ...... 264
Deep water .................................. 266
Passenger compartment............ 267
Traveling abroad......................... 267Cruise control ................................  268
Brake assist system (BAS)............  271
Antilock brake system (ABS).......  272
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) ...........................................  274
What you should know 
at the gas station ......................  278
Check regularly and before 
a long trip ..................................  280
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the instrument 
cluster.........................................  282
On-board diagnostic system.........  283
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................  283
Brake warning lamp ..................  284
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....  285
Fuel reserve warning ................  286
ABS malfunction indicator 
lamp .............................................  287Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 288
Seat belt nonusage warning 
lamp ............................................288
Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the center console ...... 289
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp..... 289
Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display ............... 290
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................  291
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR........ 292
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM..... 293
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 293
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 294
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 294
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 295
SEAT BELT SYSTEM................... 295
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) .. 296
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 297
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature) ................ 298
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 299 

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 58
2ESP (electronic stability program) control switch, , 
see page 274
3Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 151
4Central locking switch, see page 38
5Antitheft alarm system, see page 44 
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 46
6Right front seat heater switch, see page 58
7AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 289
8COMAND system (optional), see separate 
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 173
9Climate control, see page 152
Automatic climate control, see page 160
Rear window defroster, see page 170
P68.20-2457-27
2
3
4
56
78913 

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical 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 ...................  44Tow-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..............................................  72Safety 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 

40 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
With the automatic central locking system activated, the 
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler 
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched 
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” – 
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 121.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch 
after activating the automatic central locking, and 
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked 
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the 
automatic central locking activated, the door will again 
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately 
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.If a door is opened from the inside, the complete vehicle 
is unlocked, if the vehicle was previously centrally 
unlocked using the remote control.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a 
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle 
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right 
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately 
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an 
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning 
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and 
exit). 

53 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical 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. 

62 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical 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. 

67 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly. 
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as 
described in this section, as that could result 
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• E ach oc c upan t s houl d  wear t hei r s ea t bel t a t al l 
times, because seat belts help reduce the 
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries 
in accidents, including rollovers. The 
integrated restraint system includes “SRS” 
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side 
impact airbags, head protection window 
curtain airbags for side windows), “ETR” (seat 
belt emergency tensioning retractors), and 
front seat knee bolsters. The system is 
designed to enhance the protection offered to 
properly belted occupants in certain frontal 
(front airbags) and side (side impact and 
window curtain airbags) impacts which exceed 
preset deployment thresholds.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, 
against your neck or off your shoulder. In a 
crash, your body would move too far forward. 
That would increase the chance of head and 
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too 
much force to the ribs or abdomen, which 
could severely injure internal organs such as 
your liver or spleen.• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable 
objects in or on your clothing, such as 
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might 
cause injuries.• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your 
hips and not across the abdomen. If the belt is 
positioned across your abdomen, it could cause 
serious injuries in a crash.• Each seat belt should never be used for more 
than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat 
belt around a person and another person or 
other objects.• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, 
you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to 
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against 
your body could cause injuries.