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.
Page 65 of 376

65
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:
Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child and recommended for
use by Mercedes-Benz.
Ensure that the infant or child is prop-
erly secured by a belt at all times while
the vehicle is in motion.
Infant and child restraint seats and infor-
mation on choosing an appropriate re-
straint system can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Center. Infant and child restraint systems
Use only a BabySmart
TM1
compatible child
restraint for the front passenger seat in
this vehicle.
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
All lap-shoulder belts except the driver‘s
seat belt have special seat belt retractors
for secure fastening of child restraints.
To fasten a child restraint, follow child re-
straint instructions for mounting. Then pull
the shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction, a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is acti-
vated. The belt is now locked. Push down
on child restraint to take up any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and
let seat belt retract completely. The seat
belt can again be used in the usual man-
ner.
Warning!
G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the emergency tension-
ing device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9kg) on the front passenger
seat. This could cause the front or side
impact airbag on the front passenger
side to deploy in a crash which exceeds
the system’s deployment threshold.
1BabySmartTM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Page 69 of 376

69
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Installation of infant and child restraint
systems
Anchorage rings
1 are located on the
back side of the rear backrests and on the
floor behind rear seat.
Prior to installing a tether strap, note the
following steps:
Fold backrest forward.
Guide tether strap between head re-
straints and rear shelf.
Head restraint must be installed (if re-
movable) and positioned such that the
top tether strap can pass freely be-
tween the head restraint and top of
seat back.
Make sure the tether strap is not twist-
ed.
Fold backrest back until it locks in
place.
Warning!
G
Do not place powered-on laptops, cell
phones and like electronic devices on the
front passenger seat. Signals from such de-
vices may interfere with the BabySmart
TM
system. Such signal interference may cause
the PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp not to
come on during self-test or be continuously
lit, indicating that the system is not function-
ing.
Warning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or the extended cargo area is not in
use. Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Page 70 of 376

70 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
Fold up anchorage ring1.
Securely fasten hook 2, which is part
of the tether strap, to anchorage
ring 1. Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
This vehicle is equipped with two LATCH
(L
ower A
nchors and T
ethers for CH
ildren)
type anchors (at each of the rear seats) for
the installation of a LATCH child seat with
the matching anchor fittings.
If a child seat is not installed, the LATCH
anchors can be folded back between the
seat cushion and the backrest.
1 Anchors
2 Button
Grip inner side of anchors 1 and fold
forward until they audibly lock in place.
Install child seat according to the man-
ufacturer’s instructions.
To fold anchors back
Press down button 2 on each anchor
and return anchor to its catch.
iFor safety, make sure the hook has at-
tached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.
iThe child seat must be firmly attached
in the right and left side anchors.iNon-LATCH-type child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the
vehicle’s seat belt system. Install child
seat according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Page 71 of 376
71
Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Warning!
G
Children too big for child restraint systems
must ride in back seats using regular seat
belts. Position shoulder belt across chest
and shoulder, not face or neck.
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from
41 lbs until they reach a height where a
lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Before installing the child seat, make sure
anchors
1 are folded out and locked in
place.
Install child seat according to manufactur-
er’s instructions.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d i n t h e
right and left side anchors 1.
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident which could result
in serious injury or death to your child.
Damaged or impact-damaged child seats or
child seat anchors must be replaced.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.