213
Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve key is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
trunk lid recessed handle for minimum
of 20 seconds until the “SOS” button is
flashing.
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED appears in the multi-
function display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call. The Response Center will then unlock your
vehicle with the remote door unlocking
feature.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the audio system or the COMAND* sys-
tem audio is muted and the selected
mode (radio, tape or CD) pauses. The
optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this
phone, the vehicle must be parked. Dis-
connect the coiled cord and place the
call. The COMAND* navigation system
(if engaged) will continue to run. The
display in the instrument cluster is
available for use and spoken com-
mands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND* unit.
A pop-up window will appear in the
COMAND* display to indicate that a
Tele Aid call is in progress.
iThe remote door unlock feature is avail-
able if the relevant cellular phone net-
work is available.
The “SOS” button will flash and the
message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED
will appear in the mul-
tifunction display to indicate receipt of
the door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Re-
sponse Center specialist will attempt
to establish voice contact with the ve-
hicle occupants.
If the trunk lid recessed handle was
pulled for more than 20 seconds be-
fore door unlock authorization was re-
ceived by the Response Center, you
must wait 15 minutes before pulling
the trunk lid recessed handle again.
214 Controls in detailUseful featuresStolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen:
Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered inci-
dent report.
Pass this number on to the
Mercedes-Benz Response Center along
with your password issued to you when
you subscribed to the service.
The Response Center will then attempt
to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is lo-
cated, the Response Center will con-
tact the local law enforcement and you.
The vehicle’s location will only be pro-
vided to law enforcement.
Garage door opener
The built-in remote control is capable of
operating up to three separately controlled
devices, for example garage door openers,
gate openers, or other devices compatible
with HomeLink
® or some other systems.
You can program the signal transmitter
buttons.
Remote control integrated into the interior
rear view mirror1 Indicator lamp
2 3 4 Signal transmitter button
5 Hand-held transmitter button
6 Hand-held remote control trans-
mitter (not part of the vehicle
equipment)
216 Controls in detailUseful featuresProgramming or reprogramming the in-
tegrated remote control
Step 1:
Switch on ignition.
Step 2:
If you have previously programmed an
integrated signal transmitter button
and wish to retain its programming,
proceed to step 3. Otherwise, press
and hold the two outer signal transmit-
ter buttons 2 and 4 and release
them only when the indicator light be-
gins to flash after approximately
20 seconds (do not hold the button for
longer than 30 seconds). This proce-
dure erases any previous settings for
all three channels and initializes the
memory. If you later wish to program a
second and/or third hand-held trans-
mitter to the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, do not repeat this
step and begin directly with step 3. Step 3:
Hold the end of the hand-held remote
control transmitter
6 of the device
you wish to train approximately 2 to
5 in (5 to12 cm) away from the surface
of the integrated remote control locat-
ed on the interior rear view mirror,
keeping the indicator lamp 1 in view.
Step 4:
Using both hands, simultaneously
press the hand-held transmitter
button 5 and the desired integrated
signal transmitter button ( 2, 3
or 4 ). Do not release the buttons until
completing step 5.
The indicator lamp 1 on the integrat-
ed remote control will flash, first slowly
and then rapidly. Step 5:
When the indicator lamp
1 flashes
rapidly, release both buttons.
Step 6:
Press and hold the just-trained inte-
grated signal transmitter button and
observe the indicator lamp 1.
If the indicator lamp 1 stays on con-
stantly, programming is complete and
your device should activate when the
integrated signal transmitter button is
pressed and released.iThe indicator lamp 1 flashes the first
time the signal transmitter button is
programmed. If this button has already
been programmed, the indicator lamp
will only start flashing after
20 seconds.
225
Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP switched off. Doing so
may cause serious damage to the drive
train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to position
P
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
When parking on hills, always turn front
wheel towards the curb.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.
247
Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 338).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design. Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
248 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
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 ex-
ceed 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.
Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 75) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle‘s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:
225/45 R17
258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument cluster General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 264).
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and battery checked.
261
Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Switch the ESP back on (
page 77).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow ESP warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.
While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather
conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 75).
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.