
3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212
Driving instructions ...................... 213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ......... 213
Drinking and Driving ................ 213
Pedals ........................................... 213
Power assistance ........................ 214
Brakes .......................................... 214
Driving off ................................... 215Parking ......................................... 216
Tires .............................................. 216
Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Deep water .................................. 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221
Cruise control ................................ 222
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 225
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ...................... 229
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 230
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ............................... 234
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 239
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 241
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........244
On-board diagnostic system .....244
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................244
Brake warning lamp ..................245
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................246
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................246
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............247
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................247
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................248
Seat belt warning lamp .............248
Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................249
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....249

4 Contents
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............250
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 251
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR .........252
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................253
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................253
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............254
BRAKE FLUID .............................254
PARKING BRAKE .......................255
ENGINE FAN ...............................255
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........256
COOLANT TEMP. ........................257
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................258
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................259
REMOVE KEY .............................259
STEERING GEAR OIL .................260
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 261
WASHER FLUID ..........................262
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..263
TELE AID .....................................263
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 266
Fuses ............................................... 267
Electrical outlet ............................. 269
Hood ................................................ 270
Checking engine oil level ............. 273
Automatic transmission
fluid level ....................................274
Coolant level ....................................274
Adding coolant ........................... 275
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................276
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........276
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 277
Vehicle jack .................................... 278
Wheels ............................................ 279
Tire replacement ....................... 279
Rotating wheels ......................... 280
Spare wheel .................................... 281
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 281Changing wheels ...........................282
Tire inflation pressure ..................287
Battery .............................................289
Jump starting .................................. 291
Towing the vehicle .........................294
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................296
Exterior lamps ................................297
Headlamp assembly ...................298
Taillamp assemblies .................. 301
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......304
Synchronizing
remote control ............................306
Emergency engine shut-down .....306
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................307
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................308
Replacing wiper blade insert .......308
Roof rack ..........................................311

24 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ve h i c l e k e y s
Included with your vehicle are 2 electronic keys with
integrated radio frequency and infrared remote controls
plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two electronic keys are a different color to help
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.

88 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 248
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 245
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 245
BAS malfunction, see page 247
ESP malfunction, see page 247
Fasten seat belts, see page 248
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition,
seepage247Engine 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. In all cases,
we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible,
seepage244
SRS malfunction, see page 246
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 249
ABSBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINESRS

185 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 ................ 186
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 187
Maintenance ................................... 187
Tele Aid ........................................... 188
Catalytic converter ........................ 198
Emission control ............................ 199
Steering lock ...................................200
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................202
Automatic transmission ...............203
Parking brake ................................. 212Driving instructions .......................213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .........213
Drinking and Driving ................213
Pedals ...........................................213
Power assistance .........................214
Brakes ...........................................214
Driving off ....................................215
Parking ......................................... 216
Tires .............................................. 216
Snow chains ................................ 219
Winter driving instructions ...... 219
Block heater ................................ 221
Deep water .................................. 221
Passenger compartment ........... 221
Traveling abroad ........................ 221Cruise control .................................222
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................225
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................227
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) ......................229
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................230
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ................................234
What you should know
at the gas station .......................239
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 241

205 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.
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 212 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 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 injury.

208 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95
°F (35
°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is m ove d to a lower gear range , t he tran smi ss ion will n ot
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
RPM limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the service
brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces, 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.

220 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 328.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 276.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.