Page 6 of 399

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
Page 26 of 399
23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Hood lock release, see page 315
2Parking brake pedal, see page 256
3Steering wheel adjustment (manual), see page 87
4Parking brake release, see page 256
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 143
6Combination switch, see page 148
7Exterior mirror adjustment switch, see page 90
8Headlamp washer button, see page 147
9Cruise control switch, see page 26810Multifunction steering wheel, see page 102
Horn (with electronic key in starter switch
position 1 or 2)
11Instrument cluster, see page 96
12Voice recognition system switch (optional), see
separate operating instructions
13Starter switch, see page 240
14Glove box lid release, see page 207
15Glove box lock, see page 207
Page 101 of 399
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
Page 214 of 399
211 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Ashtrays
Center console
To o pen :
Briefly touch the mark on the cover, the ashtray opens
automatically.
To remove ashtray insert from center console:
Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.Slide ashtray insert in direction of arrow (1) until the
insert disengages. Grip ashtray insert at indents (left
and right arrows) and remove from ashtray frame.
To replace insert:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.
Page 228 of 399

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
Page 245 of 399

242 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in
neutral). Turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Briefly turn electronic key in
starter switch clockwise to the stop and release. The
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal,
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock.
Turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to the
stop. Release only when the engine is firing regularly.
Page 248 of 399

245 Manual transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission,
getting out of your vehicle with the gearshift lever
not engaged in 1st or reverse gear and parking
brake engaged is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, an engaged 1st or
reverse gear alone may not prevent your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to
engaging 1st or reverse gear, see page 256 for
parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gearshift lever, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces as well as high engine
speeds, never downshift in order to obtain braking
action. This could result in drive wheel slip and
reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
Page 249 of 399
246 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic transmission (optional)The automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Program mode selector
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.