Page 88 of 304
88 Controls in detailInstrument cluster
Instrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 20).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you
open the driver’s door
turn the key in steering lock to
position2 (
page 29)
press the left knob3 (
page 20)
Instrument cluster illumination
Instrument lamps
To brighten illumination
Turn knob3 (
page 20) clockwise.
The instrument lamps will brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn knob3 counterclockwise.
The instrument lamps will dim.
Display illumination
Press knob3.
With key removed or in steering lock
position0 or1 (
page 29), the display
is illuminated for a short time.
Coolant temperature gauge
Under normal driving conditions, the cool-
ant temperature may rise to 248°F
(120°C). The coolant temperature may
climb to the red marking:
at high outside temperatures
during stop-and-go city traffic
when driving on hilly terrain
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature in the red zone.
Doing so may cause serious engine dam-
age which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 89 of 304
89 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Press the left knob3 (
page 20) once
with key in steering lock position2
(
page 29) until the trip odometer is
reset
or
Press the left knob3 (
page 20) twice
with key removed or in steering lock
position0 or1 (
page 29) until the
trip odometer is reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(page 20) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed 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.
iAvoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 91 of 304
91 Controls in detail
Manual transmission
Manual transmission
Information for driving with a manual
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
page 40).
Gearshift leverDo not exceed the maximum speed in the
individual gears. Refer to tachometer
(page 89) for engine speeds.
Warning!
G
For vehicles equipped with a manual trans-
mission, getting out of your vehicle with the
gearshift lever not engaged in first or re-
verse gear and parking brake engaged is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
an engaged first or reverse gear alone may
not prevent your vehicle from moving, possi-
bly hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
engaging first or reverse gear (
page 47).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the gearshift
lever, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.iNever hold the vehicle stopped on a hill
by using the clutch pedal. The clutch
may be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Page 142 of 304
142 Controls in detailUseful featuresAshtray
1Cover plate
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake. Move the
selector lever to positionP (manual
transmission: in first gear).
Pull ashtray past detent.
Hold left and right side2 of ashtray
insert and pull up.Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Place the ashtray insert into the
ashtray frame.
Push the ashtray insert down until it
engages.
Coin holder
Open the ashtray.
Pull at the top of cover plate1 and fold
it under3.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionP (manual trans-
mission: in first gear). With gear selector le-
ver in positionP (manual transmission: in
first gear) turn off the engine.
Page 143 of 304
143 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn key in the steering lock to
position1 or2 (
page 29).
Slide cover2 rearward.
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum 85 W.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Page 184 of 304
184 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.
Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
Use only snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 70) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire size 225 / 45 R17 91 H M+S,
with the collapsible tire, with the tire
size 225 / 50 R16 92 V, with the tire
size 225 / 50 R16 92 W and the tire
size 245 / 40 R17 91 Y (Sport Pack-
age*).
Page 253 of 304
253 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
A special fuse extractor is supplied with
the vehicle tool kit in the trunk.
Spare fuses are supplied inside the corre-
sponding fuse box.
The fuse chart is printed on the cover of
the corresponding fuse box.
The amperages of the fuses are also given
there.
Main fuse box
The main fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the left hand side.
The main fuse box contains fuses for
interior consumers.
1Main fuse boxOpening
Release clamp (arrow) and lift fuse box
cover1.
Remove fuse box cover.
Closing
Fit fuse box cover1 back into the rear
clamp.
Close fuse box cover until the clamp
engages.
iOnly install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage rat-
ing.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
