Page 203 of 430
200 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Storage compartment below the front armrest
A coin holder is also located in the storage compartment
below the armrest.
Storage tray in the armrest
To open: Press button (9) and raise the armrest.
To close: Lower the armrest until it engages in lock.
Vehicles with rear air conditioner:
Do not place any objects in the well under the storage
tray.Storage space below the armrest
Vehicles without rear air conditioner:
To open: Press button (10) and raise the armrest.
To close: Lower the armrest until it engages in lock.
Notes:
The storage compartment can be heated or cooled, see
page 178.
The compartment can get very warm due to its confined
space. When storing heat sensitive objects in the
compartment, close the air outlet while heating the
passenger compartment.
Do not obstruct the air outlet in the storage
compartment.
Page 210 of 430
207 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 2Rear door lighters
P68.20-2002-26
3
2
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.To avoid possible injury to children sitting in the
rear seat, deactivate the operation of rear door
windows, see page 186. Deactivation of the rear
windows also deactivates the lighter.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch. 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.
Page 218 of 430

215 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 ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission control ............................229
Starter switch .................................230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................232
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................235
Automatic transmission ...............237
Parking brake .................................246
Driving instructions ......................247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel .....................................247
Drinking and driving .................247Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256
Passenger compartment ........... 256
Traveling abroad ........................ 257
Cruise control ................................ 258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 280Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299
Page 221 of 430

218 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button stays
on after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
operating position, see page 232) and the message
“TELE AID – NOT ACTIVATED” will be shown in the
multifunction display for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Te l ematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæand for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the “SOS” button, the Roadside
Assistance button• or the Information button¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting
“Tele Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, Info Services
* profile
and more.
* Optional System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the
multifunction display.
Page 229 of 430

226 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Remote door unlock
In the case you have your vehicle locked unintentionally
(e.g. key inside vehicle), and no other key is available,
contact the Mercedes-Benz Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada). You will be asked to provide your password
which you provided when you completed the subscriber
agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and press trunk lock for
minimum of 20 seconds until the “SOS” button is
flashing. The message “EMERGENCY CALL – CALL
CONNECTED” appears in the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehicle via
Internet using the ID and password sent to you shortly
after the completion of your Acquaintance Call.
The Response Center will then unlock your vehicle with
the remote door unlocking feature.Notes:
The remote door unlock feature is available if the
relevant cellular phone network is available.
The SOS button will flash and the message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL CONNECTED” will appear
in the multifunction display to indicate receipt of the
door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center
specialist will attempt to establish voice contact with the
vehicle occupants.
If the trunk button was pressed for more than
20 seconds before door unlock authorization was
received by the Response Center, you must wait
15 minutes before pressing the trunk button again.
Page 233 of 430

230 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starter switch
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position
only. The electronic key can only be removed with
the selector lever in position “P”. After removing the
electronic key or with the electronic key in starter
switch position 0 or 1, the selector lever is locked in
position “P”.1Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
Gear selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P”, firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
3Starting position.
See page 235 for instructions on starting and stopping
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.
P54.25-2427-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the 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.
Page 234 of 430

231 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently
charged. See battery on page 357 or jump starting on
page 359.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
Page 235 of 430

232 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start- / Stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO)
Symbols on start-/stop button for Canada only:
See page 235 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.Pressing the start- / stop button (1) on the gear selector
lever without depressing the brake pedal will
sequentially activate the starter switch positions 1 (on)
and 2 (operation) and 0 (off).
The engine can be started with the starter switch in any
position (on, operation or off), as long as the gear
selector lever is in position “P” or “N” and the brake
pedal depressed.
1
P82.50-0759-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always take the electronic
key and the KEYLESS-GO-card with you, and lock
the 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.