
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 

5 ContentsLight alloy wheels ...................... 364
Instrument cluster ..................... 364
Steering wheel and 
gear selector lever  ......................364
Cup holder................................... 364
Seat belts ..................................... 365
Headliner and shelf below 
rear window ................................ 365
Leather upholstery ..................... 365
Hard plastic trim items ............. 365
Plastic and rubber parts............ 365
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................ 368
Warranty coverage ......................... 368
Identification labels....................... 369
Layout of poly-V-belt drive............  371
Technical data................................. 373
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - 
capacities ................................... 377
Engine oils ...................................... 379
Engine oil additives ....................... 379
Air conditioner refrigerant........... 379
Brake fluid ...................................... 379Premium unleaded gasoline ........  380
Fuel requirements.........................  380
Gasoline additives .........................  381
Coolants ..........................................  381
Consumer information .................  383
Uniform tire quality grading .......  383
IndexIndex ...............................................  385 

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 

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

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSeat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, a 
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt 
is not fastened. 
Automatic comfort-fit seat belt:
An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front 
passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key 
in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2.
The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced, 
increasing the level of seat belt comfort.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 365.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest 
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 even fatal injuries. The 
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint 
when the wearer is in an upright position and the 
belt is properly positioned on the body.