
92 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking position exterior rear view mirror 
(only vehicles with memory function)
The passenger side exterior mirror can be adjusted and 
programmed to assist the driver during parking 
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects 
close to the vehicle).
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, and 
the exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger 
side position, the passenger side mirror will be turned 
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R” 
reverse.Note:
For activating the mirror adjustment, see under 
individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE” – “MIRROR 
SETTING WHEN PARKING”, on page 134.
The mirror position can now be adjusted as desired.
The passenger side mirror will return to its previous 
position:
•immediately at speeds above approx. 6 mph 
(10km/h)–independent of the engaged gear,
•after 10 seconds when shifting gear selector lever 
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing the driver’s side mirror button%.
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145 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps 
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light 
conditions the parking lamps will also switch on.
•Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to 
position “N” or “P”, the low beam switches off 
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch 
should be turned to position B to permit 
activation of the high beam headlamps.•USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated 
when driving with the daytime running lamp mode 
activated and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the 
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT 
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” on page 128.
Note:
See page 143 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
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248 Starting and turning off the enginge
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 n ot de pr ess  accelerato r. B rie f ly  turn  electron ic  key i n 
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.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject, see page 269.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to 
position 0 to turn off the engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
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249 Manual transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual transmission
See illustration for gearshift lever positions 
corresponding to the individual gears.Stop the vehicle completely before shifting into reverse; 
to shift into reverse, pull the gearshift lever up.
Do not exceed the maximum engine speed in the 
individual gears. Refer to tachometer (see page 101) for 
engine speeds.
Important!
When vehicle is parked, always be sure to engage first 
or reverse gear and firmly set parking brake.
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.
Downshifting gears leading to overrevving the engine 
can result in engine damage that is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not exceed engine speed limits, see page 101.
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250 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 vehi cl es  eq ui pped w it h a  m an ual  tra ns mi s si on, 
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 260 for 
parking brake.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.
Wa r n i n g !
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.
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251 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe 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”.
P 27.00-2070-27
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252 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in 
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of 
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly 
depressed before the shift lock will release. 
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the 
engine is idling normally and the service brake is 
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. 
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the 
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”, 
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before 
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full 
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum 
ac celeration . On ce t he d es ire d s peed  is  attain ed , eas e up 
on the accelerator — the transmission shifts up again.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” 
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. 
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the 
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in 
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and 
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when your 
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
OM_203.book  Seite 252  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

253 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the 
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service 
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N” 
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not 
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids 
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a 
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never 
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow), 
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying 
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the 
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to 
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the 
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever 
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous. 
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e 
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, 
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting 
to position “P”, see page 260 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
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 selector lever from position “P”, which could 
result in an accident or serious injury.
OM_203.book  Seite 253  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11