
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 5
Operator’s manual  ............................. 6
Where to find it  ................................ 11
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 13Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 16
Center console  .............................. 18
Overhead control panel  ............... 19OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control with 
folding master key  ...................... 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 23
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 23
Central locking system  ................... 24
Remote control  ............................. 24
Panic button  .................................. 26
Mechanical keys  ........................... 27Doors ................................................. 28
Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking ...............31
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  .......................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33
Emergency release 
for trunk lid  ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system ....... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ....................51
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ..........51
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 52Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 53
Airbags .............................................. 54
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor 
and airbag  .................................... 61
Infant and 
child restraint systems ............... 63
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 65
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 66
Instrument cluster  ........................... 70
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 77
Checking engine oil level   .............. 79
Engine oil consumption  .................. 80
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 81
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 82
Combination switch  ........................ 83
Hazard warning flasher switch  ..... 85
Climate control ................................. 86
Rear window defroster  .................... 90
Audio and telephone, operation  .... 93
Power windows ................................ 111 

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control with 
folding master key  ...................... 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 23
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 23
Central locking system  ................... 24
Remote control  ............................. 24
Panic button  .................................. 26
Mechanical keys  ........................... 27
Doors .................................................. 28
Central locking switch  .................... 30
Automatic central locking  .............. 31
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  ........................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33Emergency release 
for trunk lid  ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system ....... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ....................51
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ..........51
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 52
Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 53Airbags .............................................. 54
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor 
and airbag  .................................... 61
Infant and 
child restraint systems ............... 63
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 65
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 66
Instrument cluster  ........................... 70
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 77
Checking engine oil level   .............. 79
Engine oil consumption  .................. 80
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 81
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 82
Combination switch  ........................ 83
Hazard warning flasher switch  ..... 85
Climate control ................................. 86 

38 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seats
To operate the power seat adjustment switches, turn key 
in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with a door open, the 
power seats can also be operated with the key removed 
or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. 
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the 
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts while a seat is being adjusted.For your protection, drive only with properly 
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the 
head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head 
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help 
reduce injuries during an accident.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with driver’s 
or passenger door open. 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. 

41 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.1.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.  

44 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with lap-shoulder seat belts, 
emergency tensioning retractors for the seat belts, front 
and side airbags for driver and passenger, as well as a 
knee bolster for the driver’s seat.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws i n mo st states and all Canadi an provi nc es require 
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints 
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in 
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passenger we strongly 
recommend their use.Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 252.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized 
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates 
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the 
vehicle to deactivate the passenger front airbag 
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will 
be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. 
If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result.
Infants and small children must be seated in an 
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which 
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, 
fully in accordance with the child seat 
manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint. 

50 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized 
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates 
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the 
vehicle to deactivate the passenger front airbag 
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will 
be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. 
If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result.
Infants and small children must be seated in an 
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which 
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, 
fully in accordance with the child seat 
manufacturer’s instructions.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible 
rearward from the dashboard when the seat is 
occupied. 

51 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed 
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for 
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the 
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7 
indicator lamp located on the center console will be 
illuminated, except with key removed or in steering lock 
position 0. The system does not deactivate the door 
mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning key in steering lock to position 1 or 2, the 
7 indicator lamp located on the center console 
comes on for approximately 6 seconds and then 
extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is 
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must 
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating 
any child on the passenger seat.BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will 
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to 
operate with it. It will not work with child seats 
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and 
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the 
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The 
bottom of the child seat must make full contact 
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly 
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the 
child in case of an accident instead of protecting 
the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if 
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time 
you use the special system child seat. Should the 
light go out while the restraint is installed, please 
check installation. If the light remains out, do not 
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children 
on the passenger seat until the system has been 
repaired. 

60 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Occupants, especially children, should never 
lean their heads in the area of the door where 
the side airbag inflates. This could result in 
serious injuries or death should the airbag be 
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the 
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child 
restraint system• Children 12 years old and under must never 
ride in this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the 
passenger front airbag when it is properly 
installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the 
airbag when it inflates in a crash. If this 
happens, serious or fatal injury can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in 
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or 
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle, 
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child 
restraint. A BabySmart
TM child restraint will turn 
off the passenger side front airbag. BabySmart
TM 
will not, however, turn off the side impact airbag. 
It should be noted that there is a possibility for a 
side airbag related injury if occupants, especially 
children, are not properly seated or restrained 
when next to a side airbag which needs to deploy 
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow 
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially 
children, should never place their bodies or lean 
their heads in the area of the door where the side 
airbag inflates. This could result in serious 
injuries or death should the side airbag be 
activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the 
seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or 
child restraint system for all children 12 years old 
or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly.