
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 

30 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch 
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is 
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 351, or synchronize the electronic key, see 
page 353.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To 
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter 
switch. There could be a slight delay until the 
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical 
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will 
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the 
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
electronic key. 

73 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The operational readiness of the airbag system is 
verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument 
cluster when turning the electronic key in starter switch 
to position 1. When turning the electronic key in starter 
switch to position 2 the indicator lamp “SRS” in the 
instrument cluster comes on. If no fault is detected, the 
lamp will go out when the engine is running. After the 
lamp goes out, the system continues to monitor the 
components and circuitry of the airbag system and will 
indicate a malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp 
does not come on at all or if it fails to extinguish or if it 
comes on thereafter, a malfunction in the system has 
been detected.
The following system components are monitored or 
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition 
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning 
retractors, seat sensor.
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has 
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or 
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the 
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses, 
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and 
indicated.Note:
See page 285 for information on the supplemental 
restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated 
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be 
operational. For your safety, we strongly 
recommend that you visit an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the 
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be 
activated when needed in an accident, which could 
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy 
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also 
result in injury. 

98 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam, see page 148
ABS malfunction, see page 287
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 284
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
see page 288
Fasten seat belts, see page 288
SRS malfunction, see page 285Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on when 
the engine is running, it indicates a 
malfunction of the fuel management system, 
emission control system, systems which 
impact emissions, or the fuel cap is not 
closed tight. In all cases, we recommend that 
you have the malfunction checked as soon as 
possible, see page 283
ABS 

141 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after turning 
off the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil 
pan.
The message “OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD” will be 
displayed if the required waiting period has not been 
observed after turning off the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature 
approximately 5 minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to 
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short 
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 106. 
With the multifunction display showing the trip 
odometer and main odometer, press button j or 
k on the multifunction steering wheel repeatedly 
until the “MEASUREMENT CORRECT ONLY IF VEH. 
LEVEL” engine oil level indicator appears. This indicator 
is only a reminder. Measurement can be cancelled by 
pressing button j or k if the vehicle is not 
parked on level ground. An incorrect reading will be 
recorded if you do not cancel the measurement. Move 
the vehicle to level ground and measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if 
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION” 
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASUREMENT IN 
PROCESS” message is displayed after approximately 
3seconds.
P54.30-4676-26 

142 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
One of the following messages will subsequently appear 
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Adding engine oil level”, on page 318 for 
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could 
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.The “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” message will be 
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be 
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated 
after a short while.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 290 
and page 299 if an engine oil level indicator appears on 
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine 
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN 
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made 
after the break-in period. During the break-in period, 
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal. 
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in 
increased consumption. 

155 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except 
when manually switched off.
The climate control only operates with the engine 
running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired 
temperature setting. The temperature selected is 
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a 
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature can be selected 
separately for the left and right side of the passenger 
compartment. Adjust the temperature settings in small 
increments.
The climate control removes considerable moisture from 
the air during operation in the cooling mode. It is 
normal for water to drip on the ground through ducts in 
the underbody.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode S is selected, see page 159. Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be 
ventilated. See page 171 for notes on ventilating the 
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
place. Economy mode S cannot be switched off. Have 
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center 
should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system. 

225 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters ..................... 226
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km) ................................. 227
Maintenance ................................... 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................ 246Parking 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