
4 Contents
ABS control  ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program 
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP  .................... 193
ESP Control Switch  .................... 194
Level control system ...................... 196
Level control
switch positions .......................... 196
Normal Level  ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch  ............... 198
Adaptive Damping System 
(ADS) ........................................... 199
Adaptive damping system 
adjustment .................................. 199
What you should know
at the gas station  .......................200
Fuel supply ..................................200
Fuel ...............................................200
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................202
Instrument cluster display Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster  .................... 204
On-board 
diagnostic system  ...................... 204
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 204
Brake warning lamp  .................. 205
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp  ............................ 205
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 206
Supplemental 
restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp  ................. 206
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ................... 207
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)- warning lamp  ................. 207
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp  ............................ 207
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 208Low engine coolant
level warning lamp  ....................209
Low windshield and
headlamp washer
system fluid level 
warning lamp .............................. 210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Charge indicator lamp  ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam
indicator lamp ............................. 213
Additional function 
indicator lamps 
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and
indicator lamp
(in the dashboard)  .................... 213
Passenger airbag 
indicator lamp ............................. 213 

23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Side air outlet, adjustable, see page 91
2Level control switch and wheel change switch,
see page 196
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 86
4Parking brake release, see page 175
5Hood lock release, see page 220
6Parking brake pedal, see page 175
7Combination switch, see page 86
8Cruise control switch, see page 184
9Horn
10Airbag, see page 60
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate 
operating instructions
12Instrument cluster, see page 74
13Steering lock with ignition/starter switch,
see page 165
14Center air outlets adjustable, see page 91
15Heated air supply button - center air outlet,
see page 9116Non-heated/cooled air supply button - center air 
outlet, see page 91
17Storage/eyeglasses compartment, see page 124
18Air volume control for left air outlet, see page 91
19Air volume control for center air outlets, see page 91
20Air volume control for right air outlet, see page 91
21Airbag off indicator lamp, see page 213
22Automatic climate control, see page 90
Rear window defroster switch, see page 95
23Audio system, see page 98
24Trunk lid release switch, see page 39
25Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 43
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
see page 42
26Central locking switch, see page 36
27Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 89
28Adaptive damping system adjustment switch,
see page 199
29ESP control switch, see page 194
30Roll bar operation switch, see page 118 

67 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly 
stressed in an accident must be replaced and 
their anchoring points must also be checked. 
Use only belts installed or supplied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could 
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on 
a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency 
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated 
must be replaced.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to 
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This 
includes changing or removing any component 
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of 
additional trim material, badges etc. over the 
steering wheel hub, passenger airbag cover, or 
door trim panels, and installation of additional 
electrical/electronic equipment on or near 
“SRS” components and wiring. Keep area 
between airbags and occupants free of objects 
(e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).• An airbag system component within the 
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has 
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including 
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to 
possible injury through an unintended 
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is 
the risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or 
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work 
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 

86 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Combination switch
1Low beam (exterior lamp switch position B)
2High beam (exterior lamp switch position B)
3High beam flasher (high beam available 
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4Turn signals, right
5Turn signals, leftTo signal minor directional changes, such as changing 
lanes on a highway, move combination switch to the 
point of resistance only and hold it there.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the 
combination switch past the point of resistance (up or 
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the 
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.
Turn signal failure
If one of the turn signal lamps fails, the turn signal 
indicator system flashes and sounds at a faster than 
normal rate. 

153 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving Control and operation of radio 
transmitters ............................... 154
Radio and telephone  .................. 154
Telep ho n es  an d  
two-way radio  .............................. 154
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 155
Maintenance ................................... 155
Tele Aid  ........................................... 156
Catalytic converter  ........................ 163
Emission control  ............................ 164
Steering lock  ................................... 165
Starting and turning off
the engine  .................................. 167
Before starting  ............................ 167
Starting ........................................ 167
Turning off  .................................. 167
Automatic transmission  ............... 168
Driving ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions  ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172Stopping ...................................... 172
Program mode 
selector switch  ........................... 173
Emergency Operation  ................174
Parking brake  ................................ 175
Driving instructions ....................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel  .......... 176
Drinking and driving  ................. 176
Pedals ........................................... 176
Power assistance ........................ 177
Brakes .......................................... 177
Driving off ................................... 178
Parking ........................................ 178
Tires ............................................. 179
Aquaplaning ................................180
Tire traction  .................................180
Tire speed rating  ........................181
Snow chains  ................................ 181
Vehicles with sport package  .....181
Deep water  ...................................182
Winter driving 
instructions .................................182
Winter driving .............................183
Block heater .................................183Traveling abroad  ........................ 183
Cruise control  ................................. 184
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............ 188
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....... 190
ABS control  ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program 
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP  .................... 193
ESP Control Switch  .................... 194
Level control system  ...................... 196
Level control
switch positions  ......................... 196
Normal Level  ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch  ............... 198
Ad aptive Da mping System 
(ADS) ........................................... 199
Adaptive damping system 
adjustment .................................. 199
What you should know
at the gas station  .......................200
Fuel supply ..................................200
Fuel ...............................................200
Check regularly and
before a long trip  ......................202 

183 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica 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 277.
• 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 88.
• 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.
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.
Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service 
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas 
which are not listed in the index of your Center 
directory, you should request pertinent information 
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 

186 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the 
cruise control off.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and 
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a 
steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
winding roads or in heavy traffic because 
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady 
speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion 
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if 
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed 
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed. 

196 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Level control system
(SL 600 only)
The switch is located next to the exterior lamp switch
1Level control switch
2Wheel change switchLevel control switch positions
Press upper half of switch once for option 1. One 
indicator lamp lights up. 
Press upper half of switch twice for option 2. Both 
indicator lamps light up. 
Note: 
The indicator lamps blink at first, and stay on 
continuously once the selected level is attained. 
Press lower half of switch once: 
From option 2, system switches to option 1. Only one 
indicator lamp is illuminated. 
From option 1, system returns to Normal Level. Indicator 
lamp goes out. 
Press lower half of switch twice: 
From option 2, system returns to Normal Level. Both 
indicator lamps go out. 
12
P32.35-0219-26