Page 37 of 376
37
Getting started
Adjusting
Folding backrest forward
Pull release lever
1 forward and fold
the seat backrest forward.
Vehicles with manual seat adjustment:
If necessary, press the head restraint
downward while tilting the backrest
forward. Folding backrest back
Fold and press the backrest rearward
until it engages in driving position.
Vehicles with manual seat adjustment:
If necessary, pull the head restraint out
while tilting the seat back.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 89).
Steering wheel
iVehicles with power seat*: The head
restraints will automatically move
down.
iVehicles with power seat*: The head
restraint returns to its previous posi-
tions.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing, or driving without the adjustment
locked could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
your vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature* can also be operated with the driv-
er’s door open. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Page 38 of 376
38 Getting startedAdjustingSteering wheel adjustment, manual1 Handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle 1 out until its stop limit.
Move steering wheel to the desired po-
sition.
To lock the steering column, push
handle 1 all the way in until it engag-
es.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position. Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1 Adjusting steering column, in or out
2 Adjusting steering column, up or down
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 1 or 2 (
page 31).
or
Open the driver’s door.
Adjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in the direc-
tion of arrow 1 until a comfortable
steering wheel position is reached with
your arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering column, up or down
Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow 2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (incl. malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the instru-
ment cluster are clearly visible.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the warning message
STEERING
WHEEL ADJ. - LOCK! (page 282) is
displayed while the engine is running,
the steering column is not locked.
Page 45 of 376
45
Getting started
Driving
Starting
Depress brake pedal.
Make sure the gearshift lever is in neu-
tral position (no gear selected).
Fully depress clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 53). Automatic transmission*
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionP
Park position with selector lever lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission*” (
page 139). Starting
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to
P.
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).
Depress brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 53).
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position 3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.
Page 46 of 376
46 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn SmartKey in starter to position0
and repeat starting procedure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (
page 310).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Parking brake
1 Release handle
2 Parking brake
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle 1.
The indicator lamp ; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving
Depress brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to position D
or R (manual transmission: first or re-
verse gear).
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.
Page 50 of 376
50 Getting startedDrivingSingle wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push switch in the direction of
arrow 1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 243).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch be-
fore attempting to remove any
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch position I,
set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
Page 52 of 376
52 Getting startedParking and locking
Parking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1 Release handle
2 Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake 2.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp ; (USA only) or 3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move the gear selector lever to
position P (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards road curb.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position 0 and remove.
Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Page 53 of 376
53
Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
M
(page 48).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 98).
Turning off the engine
Place the gear selector lever in
position P (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from position P, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in position P is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
position P alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position P (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position P (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in position P.
Page 54 of 376
54 Getting startedParking and locking
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 30).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 82).
!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.