
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 

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). 

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. 

79 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 !
Accident research shows that the safest place for 
children in an automobile is in the rear seat. 
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or 
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle, 
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child 
restraint which will turn off the passenger side 
front airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn 
off the vehicle’s side impact airbag. 
It should be noted that with respect to both front 
and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility 
for a side airbag related injury if occupants, 
especially children, are not properly seated or 
restrained when next to a side airbag which needs 
to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its 
job.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow 
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially 
children, should never place their bodies or lean 
their heads in the area of the door or rear quarter 
trim panels where the side airbag inflates. This 
could result in serious injuries or death should the 
side airbag be activated; (2) always sit upright, 
properly use the seat belts and use an 
appropriately sized infant or child restraint system 
for all children 12 years old or under; and (3) 
always wear seat belts properly. 

281 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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.............................................. 287
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 288
Seat belt nonusage warning 
lamp ............................................288Malfunction 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)..........  297COOLANT 
(coolant temperature) ................ 298
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 299
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 300
LIGHT SENSOR........................... 302
DOOR............................................ 302
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 303
HOOD ........................................... 303
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 304
TELE AID ..................................... 304
WASHER FLUID.......................... 305
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 306
KEY............................................... 306
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 307
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 307
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST. ..... 308 

289 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center 
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The ü indicator lamp will light up for approximately 
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter 
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The ü indicator lamp stays lit as long as a 
Baby Smart
TM child seat is properly installed on the 
front passenger seat. It indicates that the front 
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 69 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation 
system.
Baby Smart
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.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. 

391 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Unfastening ..................................................................  66
Warning lamp ............................................................ 288
Seat belts and integrated restraint system ..................  62
Seats
Front seat adjustment ................................................  48
Heated seat ..................................................................  58
Manual seat .................................................................  51
Memory ........................................................................  93
Selective locking
See Central locking system .......................................  31
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat 
installed ........................................................................  69
Setting the audio volume..............................................  136
Side impact airbags .........................................................  75
Side marker lamp........................................................... 350
Sliding/pop-up roof
Opening and closing...................................................  34
Synchronizing ........................................................... 202
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 228
Spare wheel, storage compartment.............................  321
Split folding rear seat bench ........................................  215
Standby bulb function ................................................... 350
Start lock-out.....................................................................  30
Starter switch ................................................................. 240
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 242Steering lock
See starter switch .....................................................  240
Steering wheel
Easy-entry/exit feature .............................................. 47
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST. - 
malfunction and warning messages .....................  308
Steering wheel adjustment
electrical ....................................................................... 88
manual .......................................................................... 87
Storage compartments and armrests .......................... 206
Storing mirror positions.................................................. 90
Storing seat positions ...................................................... 50
Stowing things in the vehicle.......................................  311
Sun visors.......................................................................  205
Sunshade for panorama sliding/pop-up roof.............  199
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) .......................... 70
TTechnical data ................................................................  373
Electrical system .......................................................  376
Main Dimensions ......................................................  376
Rims – Tires ...............................................................  374
Weights .......................................................................  376
Tele Aid ...........................................................................  228