
3 ContentsParking brake  .................................200
Driving instructions  ...................... 201
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ......... 201
Drinking and driving ................. 201
Pedals ........................................... 201
Power assistance  ........................202
Brakes ..........................................202
Driving off  ...................................203
Parking ........................................204
Tires .............................................204
Snow chains  ................................207
Winter driving instructions ......207
Standing water  ...........................209
Passenger compartment  ...........209
Traveling abroad  ........................209
Cruise control  ................................. 210
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............ 212
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....... 214
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) ........................................... 216
What you should know at the gas 
station .........................................220
Check regularly and before a long 
trip ...............................................222
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster  ............. 224
On-board diagnostic system Check 
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ............................................. 224
Brake warning lamp  .................. 225
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp  ................. 226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ................... 226
Electronic stability program (ESP) 
— warning lamp .......................... 227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator 
lamp ............................................. 227
ABS malfunction indicator 
lamp ............................................. 227
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp  ............................ 228
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 228
Malfunction and indicator lamps in 
the center console  .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp  .............. 229Malfunction and warning messages 
in the multifunction display  ...230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine 
control unit)  ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several 
systems) ....................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........232
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................233
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................233
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............234
BRAKE FLUID .............................234
PARKING BRAKE  .......................235
ENGINE FAN  ...............................235
COOLANT (coolant level)  ..........236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant 
temperature) ...............................237
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic 
stability program)  ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID  .........................242
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62 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3Side impact airbag
The side impact airbags are located in the doors.
The most effective occupant restraint system yet 
developed for use in production vehicles is the seat belt. 
In some cases, however, the protective effect of a seat 
belt can be further enhanced by an airbag.
In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver 
and front passenger airbags can provide increased 
protection for the driver and front passenger in certain 
frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Door mounted side impact airbags can provide increased 
protection to belted front passengers on the impacted 
side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset 
threshold.
Important!
The operational readiness of the airbag system is 
verified by the indicator lamp SRS in the instrument 
cluster when turning the electronic key in steering lock 
to position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go 
out after approximately 4 seconds; 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 after 
approximately 4 seconds 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 
devices, seat sensor.
3
P91.60-2122-26
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63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Initially, when the electronic key is turned from steering 
lock position 0 to positions 1 or 2, malfunctions in the 
crash-sensor are detected and indicated (the SRS 
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does 
not come on).
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.Front airbags
The driver and front passenger front airbags are 
designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts 
exceeding a preset threshold.
The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front 
passenger seat is occupied and the indicator lamp on 
the center console is not illuminated.
Note:
Objects heavier than 20 lbs (9 kg) on the front 
passenger seat can appear to the SRS to indicate the 
presence of an occupant in that seat which causes the 
passenger front airbag to deploy in a crash exceeding 
the appropriate threshold.
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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74 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and 
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex 
mirror.
Antiglare night position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the 
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in 
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior lamp switched on, the mirror brightness does 
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
inside rear view mirror. 
The automatic antiglare function will not react for 
example, if the wind screen is installed.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, 
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does, 
immediately flush affected area with water, and 
seek medical help if necessary.
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82 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red 
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause 
serious engine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper 
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by 
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This 
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature 
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer 
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external 
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps 
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of 
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have leaked 
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You 
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause 
serious burns and can occur just by opening 
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if 
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do 
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed 
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore 
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated 
temperatures just above the freezing point do not 
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
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114 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Control for windshield wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for single wipe without adding washer 
fluid (use only when windshield is wet).
Push past detent and hold to activate wiper and 
washer.
Notes:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are 
automatically heated.
See page 255 for refilling windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system.7Windshield wiper
0Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping 
(optional rain sensor: One initial wipe, pauses 
between wipes are automatically controlled by a 
rain sensor monitoring the wetness of the 
windshield.)
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs 
when turning the electronic key in steering lock 
from position 0. However, this might cause 
scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination 
switch to Off position before turning the 
electronic key in steering lock from position 0. 
Optional rain sensor: 
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle 
is taken to an automatic car wash or during 
windshield cleaning. Wiper will operate in 
presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper 
may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
P54.25-2033-26
6
7
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115 Hazard warning flasher
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Vehicles without rain sensor: 
If the vehicle is standing still, the wiper will switch back 
to setting I, intermittent wiping.
Windshield wiper smears
If the windshield wiper smears the windshield, even 
during rain, activate the washer system as often as 
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be 
mixed in the correct ratio, see page 255.
Blocked windshield wiper
If the windshield wiper becomes blocked (for example, 
due to snow), switch off the wiper.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove 
electronic key from steering lock. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in 
steering lock position 1).Hazard warning f lasher switch
The hazard warning flasher can be activated with the 
switch located in the dashboard.
To activate hazard warning flasher, press switch once. 
To deactivate, press switch again.
Note:
With the hazard warning flasher activated, the 
combination switch in position for either left or right 
turn, and the electronic key in steering lock position 2, 
only the respective left or right side turn signals will 
operate.
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176 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type 
catalytic converters, an important element in 
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve 
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust 
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating 
condition by following our recommended maintenance 
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only 
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should 
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned 
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to 
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate 
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials 
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact 
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials 
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
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