
4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters  .....................232
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  .................................233
Maintenance  ...................................233
Tele Aid  ...........................................234
Catalytic converter  ........................244
Emission control  ............................245
Starter switch  .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine  ..................................248
Manual transmission  ....................249
Automatic transmission  ............... 251
Parking brake  .................................260
Driving instructions  ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals  ........................................... 261
Power assistance  ........................262
Brakes  ..........................................262
Driving off  ...................................263
Parking  ........................................264Tires  ............................................. 265
Snow chains  ............................... 267
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 268
Deep water  .................................. 270
Passenger compartment  ............271
Traveling abroad  .........................271
Cruise control  ................................ 272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 275
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ...........................................276
Electronic stability program
(ESP)  ........................................... 278
What you should know 
at the gas station  ...................... 282
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 284
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps 
in the instrument cluster  ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system  ........ 286
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 286Brake warning lamp  ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp  ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............292
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp  ............................292
Malfunction and 
indicator lamp in 
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE  ................295
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM  ....297
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR  ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE  .......................299
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5 ContentsSEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  ..300
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature)  ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ....................304
LAMP SENSOR  ...........................306
DOOR ............................................306
TRUNK OPEN  .............................307
HOOD  ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......308
TELE AID  .....................................308
WASHER FLUID ..........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE  .......................... 311
UNDERVOLTAGE  ........................ 311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  ........... 312
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  ...................................... 314
Stowing things in the vehicle ....... 314
Fuses  ................................................ 315
Hood  ................................................. 318
Adding engine oil  .......................... 321
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ................................... 322
Coolant level ................................... 322
Adding coolant  ........................... 323
Windshield and 
headlamp washer system  ........ 323
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment  ............... 325
TIREFIT, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment 
(C 32 AMG only)  ....................... 326
Vehicle jack  .................................... 327
Wheels  ............................................ 328
Tire replacement  ....................... 328
Rotating wheels  ......................... 329Spare wheel  ....................................330
Spare wheel bolts  .......................330
Changing wheels  ........................... 331
TIREFIT  ...........................................337
Tire inflation pressure  .................. 341
Battery  .............................................342
Jump starting  ..................................344
Towing the vehicle .........................347
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  ...................350
Exterior lamps  ................................ 351
Replacing bulbs  .......................... 351
Standby bulb function ...................356
Changing batteries in the 
electronic main key  ..................357
Synchronizing
remote control  ............................359
Emergency engine shut-down  .....359
Fuel filler flap, manual release  ...360
Replacing wiper blade insert  .......362
Roof rack  .........................................363
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6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care 
of the vehicle  .............................366
Power washer ..............................367
Tar stains  .....................................367
Paintwork, painted body 
components  .................................367
Engine cleaning ..........................368
Vehicle washing  .........................368
Ornamental moldings ................369
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses  ......................369
Window cleaning ........................369
Wiper blade  .................................369
Light alloy wheels  ......................370
Instrument cluster  .....................370
Steering wheel and 
gear selector lever  ......................370
Cup holder ...................................370
Seat belts  ..................................... 371
Headliner and 
shelf below rear window  ........... 371
Leather upholstery  ..................... 371Hard plastic trim items ..............371
Plastic and rubber parts  ............371
Technical dataSpare parts service  ........................374
Warranty coverage  .........................374
Identification labels  ...................... 375
Layout of poly-V-belt drive  ............376
Technical data  ................................ 377
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - 
capacities  ................................... 381
Engine oils ...................................... 383
Engine oil additives  ...................... 383
Air conditioner refrigerant  .......... 383
Brake fluid ...................................... 383
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........ 384
Fuel requirements  ........................ 384
Gasoline additives  ......................... 385
Coolants  .......................................... 385
Consumer information  ................. 387
Uniform tire quality grading  ....... 387
IndexIndex  ................................................389
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74 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 289 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.
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231 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  .....................232
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  .................................233
Maintenance  ...................................233
Tele Aid  ...........................................234
Catalytic converter  ........................244
Emission control  ............................245
Starter switch  .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine  ..................................248
Manual transmission  ....................249
Automatic transmission  ............... 251
Parking brake  .................................260Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel  ....... 261
Drinking and driving  ................ 261
Pedals  .......................................... 261
Power assistance ........................ 262
Brakes .......................................... 262
Driving off ................................... 263
Parking  ........................................ 264
Tires  ............................................. 265
Snow chains  ............................... 267
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 268
Deep water  .................................. 270
Passenger compartment  ............271
Traveling abroad  .........................271Cruise control  .................................272
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............275
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP)  ...........................................278
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................282
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ......................284
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238 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside 
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the 
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a 
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The 
button will flash while the call is in progress. The 
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING 
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When 
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE 
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit 
data generating the vehicle identification number, 
model, color and location (subject to availability of 
cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance 
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be 
established. When a voice connection is established the 
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –  
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the 
multifunction display. The nature of the need for 
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz 
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a 
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow 
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
For services such as labor and/or towing charges may 
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more 
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•S ign  an d  Drive s erv ices : Ser vi ces  such as  jump start,  
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire 
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits 
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher 
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle 
data.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the 
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in 
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for 
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency 
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a 
safe location. The Response Center will 
automatically contact local emergency officials 
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they 
rec eive a n a utom at ic  “SO S” si gna l a nd  ca nn ot ma ke 
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.
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261 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving 
habits and operating conditions. 
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•remove roof rack when not in use,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular 
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold 
weat her, i n stop -and -go  traf f ic,  on  short trip s an d i n hilly  
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very 
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of 
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, 
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is 
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs 
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow 
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects 
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.
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265 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These 
indicators are located in six places on the tread 
circumference and become visible at a tread depth of 
approximately 
1/16 in (1.5 mm), at which point the tire is 
considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across 
the tread.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride 
disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage to 
your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the 
hazard warning flashers, carefully slow down, and 
drive with caution to an area which is a safe 
distance from the roadway.Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for possible 
damage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have 
it towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or 
tire dealer for repairs.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As 
tread depth approaches 
1/16 in (1.5 mm), the 
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply 
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface 
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
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