Page 273 of 390

270 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 335, “Towing the vehicle”), the engine must be
shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
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271 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 284.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
d ial com es on ). For t his reas on, all wheels, in cludin g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is on ly achieved wit h Me rced es -B enz re comm end ed
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.
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Page 275 of 390

272 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv in located in speedometer
dial comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv in located in speedometer
dial goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
P42.45-2278-26
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Ad apt your s peed an d d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road
conditions.
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Page 276 of 390

273 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•During take-off, apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
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Page 277 of 390

274 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
See page 349 for manual release of fuel filler flap.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully
insert filler nozzle unit.
Only fill fuel tank until the filler nozzle unit cuts out
– do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
page 278 for notes on the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp.
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It
burns violently and can cause serious injury.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.
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275 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel tank capacity approximately 16.4 US gal (62.0 l).
This includes approximately 2.1 US gal (8.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Engine oil
Checking oil level, see instructions on page 135 and 314.
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality). For further information refer to page 315.
Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the
fuel filler flap. See page 329 for further details.Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, refer to “Technical Data”.
Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, refer to
“Technical Data”.
Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H B4 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front: 1156 NA (26.9 / 5 W/32/4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: W 5W (5 W)
side marker lamps, front: 5 W / 4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: PY 21 W bulb (yellow),
stop lamps: P 21 W/32 cp bulb,
rear fog lamp (driver’s side)/tail, parking, standing and
side marker lamp: P 21/4 W
backup lamps: P 21 W / 32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W / 4 cp
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Page 279 of 390
276 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 316.
2Coolant level,
see “Coolant level” on page 315
3Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed),
see “Brake fluid” on page 370.
Opening hood, see page 311.
Removing fuse box cover, see page 309.Vehicle lighting: Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 339.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 137.
2
3
P00.40-2005-26
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Page 280 of 390

277 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............278
On-board diagnostic system .........278
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................278
Brake warning lamp ..................280
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 281
Fuel reserve warning .................282
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................283
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............284
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................284Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ...... 284
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 284
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 285
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 287
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ....... 288
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .... 289
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 289
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 290
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 290
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 291
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 291
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 292
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 293COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................294
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................295
STEERING GEAR OIL .................296
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................297
LAMP SENSOR ...........................299
DOOR ...........................................299
TRUNK OPEN .............................300
HOOD ...........................................300
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 301
TELE AID ..................................... 301
WASHER FLUID .........................302
RESTRAINT SYSTEM .................303
KEY ...............................................303
FUEL RESERVE ..........................304
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................304
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