
4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................302
On-board diagnostic 
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp  ..................304
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............307
Distronic (DTR) – 
warning lamp  ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp  ..............................308
Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the 
center console  ...........................308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....308Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION  ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID  ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN  .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................. 316
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 317
LIGHTING SYSTEM  .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL 
(ABC) ........................................... 320
TIRE PRESSURE  ........................ 322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 324CRUISE CONTROL  .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID  .....................................327
CHIP-CARD 
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......329
WASHER FLUID  .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic)  ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................336
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......336
Fuses ................................................337
Hood .................................................339
Checking engine oil level  .............342
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................343
Active body control (ABC) 
fluid level  ...................................343 

113 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination, 
seepage114
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 302
3Brake fluid low, parking brake engaged, 
seepage313
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction 
indicator lamp, see page 305
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 115
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 115
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 305
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch, see page 162
9Speedometer, see page 116
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp, 
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 307
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic 
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient, 
see page 272 and 307
Vehicles without Distronic: It illuminates with the 
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It should 
go out when the engine is running.12Multifunction display, see page 118
Malfunction and warning messages in the 
multifunction display, see page 309
13Trip odometer, see page 117 and 122
14Main odometer, see page 122
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch, page 162
16Tachometer, see page 117
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever 
positions, page 240
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator 
lamp, see page 306
20High beam headlamp indicator, 
see exterior lamp switch on page 158, and 
combination switch on page 162
21Fasten seat belts, see page  308
22Reset button  J, see page 114 and 117  

115 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge (5)
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 (6)
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.). 
Adaption 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.
Note:
The unit for the temperature indicator display can be set 
in the individual setting menu “INST. CLUSTER” – 
“TEMP. INDICATOR” on page 140.
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. 

255 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, 
seepage404.
•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 345.
•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 
ABS and ESP can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 

301 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  ....................302
On-board diagnostic 
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp  ..................304
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............307
Distronic (DTR) – 
warning lamp  ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp  ..............................308Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the 
center console  ........................... 308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 308
Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION  ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID  ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN  .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................. 316
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 317LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................320
ACTIVE BODY  CONTROL 
(ABC) ............................................320
TIRE PRESSURE  .........................322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................324
CRUISE CONTROL  .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID  .....................................327
CHIP-CARD 
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......329
WASHER FLUID  .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic)  ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333 

310 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
* C = Category, see page 309This message is displayed to indicate that the 
information being relayed by the engine control unit is 
no longer complete. The display for coolant temperature 
gauge, tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
* C = Category, see page 309The displays for several systems have failed. Some 
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP! 2 

316 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 309When this message appears while driving, the coolant 
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks 
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not 
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station 
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be 
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed 
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have 
the cooling system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The 
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving, 
see page 115.
See page 344 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may 
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. 
You can be seriously burned. 

317 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 309
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this 
condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced before continuing 
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to 
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the 
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message 
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant 
temperature gauge. See page 115
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.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
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.