Page 73 of 394
73 Safety and Security
Panic alarm
Panic alarm
An audible alarm and blinking exterior
lamps will operate for approximately
2½ minutes.
1
Â
button
Activating
Press and hold button1 for at least one
second.
Deactivating
Press button1 again
or
Insert key in starter switch.
iFor operation in the USA only: This de-
vice complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
Page 75 of 394

75 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure. The
pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.ABS control
The
-
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you turn the key in
the starter switch to position2 or press
the KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped)
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 277).
iTo alert following vehicles to slippery
road conditions you discover, operate
your hazard warning flashers as appro-
priate.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
Page 76 of 394

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 285).
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lamp
v
in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.
The warning lamp
v
in the instrument
cluster lights up when you turn the key in
the starter switch to position2 or press
the KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped)
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction. The BAS cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, following an-
other vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
Page 79 of 394
79 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the key: Removing the key from
the starter switch activates the immo-
bilizer.
With KEYLESS-GO*: Turning off the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever activates the immobilizer.Deactivating
With the key: Inserting the key in the
starter switch deactivates the immobi-
lizer.
With KEYLESS-GO*: Starting the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever deactivates the immobilizer.
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
Page 80 of 394

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsAnti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
a door
the trunk
the hood.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle
the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key.Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the remote control or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps blink
three times to indicate that the alarm sys-
tem is activated. The indicator lamp in the
switch for the tow-away alarm will blink af-
ter approximately 10 seconds when the
alarm system is completely armed
(
page 25).Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the remote con-
trol or KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal
lamps blink once to indicate that the alarm
system is deactivated
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the key
Insert the key in the starter switch.
or
Press the
Œ
or
‹
button.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp the outside door handle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not blink
three times one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:
a door
the trunk lid
the hood
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
Page 81 of 394

81 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
Turn off the ignition and remove the
key.
Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch lights up
briefly.
Lock your vehicle with the key or (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*) the lock but-
ton at each door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.
Page 84 of 394

84 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlockingKeys
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys with remote controls and a re-
movable mechanical key. The locking tabs
for the mechanical key portion of the two
keys are a different color to help distin-
guish each key unit.
The remote control key provides an ex-
tended operating range. To prevent theft,
however, it is advisable to only unlock the
vehicle when you are in close proximity to
it.
The key centrally locks and unlocks:
the doors
the trunk
the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹
Lock button
2
Š
Unlock button for trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4
Œ
Unlock button
5Battery check lamp
6
Â
Panic button (
page 73)
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 188) and slid-
ing/pop-up roof (
page 191) using
the SmartKey.
Page 85 of 394

85 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press button
Œ
.
All turn signal lamps blink once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if neither door nor trunk is opened,
if the SmartKey is not inserted in the start-
er switch, or if the central locking switch is
not activated.
Global locking
Press button
‹
.
All turn signal lamps blink three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the key so that
pressing
Œ
only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.
Press and hold buttons
Œ
and
‹
simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp5 blinks twice.
The key will then function as follows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap
Press button
Œ
once.
Global unlocking
Press button
Œ
twice.
Global locking
Press button
‹
.Restoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttons
Œ
and
‹
simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp5 blinks twice.
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the key to high levels of elec-
tromagnetic radiation.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with
you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. It is possible for
children to open a locked door from the in-
side, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.