
195 Automatic transmission
Technical
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. 
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone 
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 202 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
electronic 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 gear selector lever from 
position “P”, which could result in an accident or 
serious personal injury.
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196 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the 
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear 
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the 
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped. 
The park position is not intended to serve as a 
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the 
driver should always use the parking brake in 
addition to placing the selector lever in park to 
secure the vehicle. 
Notes:
The electronic key can only be removed from the 
steering lock with the selector lever in 
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the 
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical 
system the selector lever could remain locked in 
position “P”. To unlock the selector lever 
manually, see page 274.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle 
stopped.
10
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202 Parking brake
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When 
the electronic key is in steering lock position 2, the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should 
come on brightly.
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument 
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster should go out.
A warning sounds, if you start to drive without having 
released the parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 227.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic 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 release the parking brake, which 
could result in an accident or serious injury.
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204 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals 
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a 
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking 
components. This build up or residue could cause light 
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is 
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even 
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up 
and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist 
system (BAS), see page 214.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked 
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required 
maintenance service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid 
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the 
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and 
steering systems are without power assistance. 
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is 
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without 
applying the brakes or through water deep enough 
to wet brake components or salty road conditions, 
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced 
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to 
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain 
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause 
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby 
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may 
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time 
to avoid an accident.
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206 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking
Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever 
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move 
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.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 
1/16in (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 !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of 
vehicle movement, before
 turning off the engine 
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to steering lock 
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when 
leaving.
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.
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219 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is 
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning 
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should 
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on 
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction 
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in 
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS 
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 243.
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 
dial c omes  on ). For  t his  r eason , all wheels , i nclud in g t he 
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
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  i s 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 BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine 
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp 
should go out.
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225 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................226
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................226
Brake warning lamp  ..................227
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................228
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................228
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............229
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................230
Seat belt warning lamp  .............230Malfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
center console  ........................... 231
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 231
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 233
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 233
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  .......... 234
ABS-SYSTEM  .............................. 235
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 235
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 236
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 236
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 237
ENGINE FAN ............................... 237
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 238
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 239LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................240
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 241
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 241
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................242
ELEC. STABIL. PROGRAM. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ......................................243
REMOVE KEY  .............................243
WASHER FLUID  .........................244
TELE AID  .....................................245
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226 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up 
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic 
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and 
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
“CHECK ENGINE” 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 (check the 
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated 
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you 
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we 
recommend that you have the system checked at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously 
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g. 
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission 
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control 
module monitors emission control components that 
either provide input signals to or receive output signals 
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from 
interruptions or failure of any of these components are 
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are 
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp 
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off 
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the 
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists 
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 228 for 
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the 
passenger compartment near to the parking brake 
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system 
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble 
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE
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