Page 95 of 376

95 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
The memory button and stored position 
switch are located on the door.
You can store up to three different settings 
per SmartKey.
The following settings are saved for each 
stored position:
Driver’s seat and backrest position
Steering wheel position
Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror 
position
Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position
Front passenger seat position
These key-dependent memory settings 
can be deactivated if desired 
(
page 131).
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat 
height, seat position fore and aft, and 
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be 
adjusted for proper height. See also the 
section on airbags (
page 57) for 
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to 
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and 
exterior rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small 
children should be seated in a properly 
secured restraint system that complies 
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while 
driving. Activating the memory function 
while driving could cause the driver to lose 
control of the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 100 of 376

100 Controls in detailLighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to 
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam 
headlamps are automatically switched on. 
In low ambient light conditions, the parking 
lamps will also switch on.
Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to 
positionN orP, the low beam switches off 
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the 
exterior lamp switch to positionB to 
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and exterior 
lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp 
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp 
mode (USA only)” (
page 125).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system 
section under “Setting locator lighting” 
(
page 126) and “Exterior lamps delayed 
shut off” (
page 127).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode 
activated, the low beam headlamps will 
not be switched off automatically.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp 
cannot be switched on manually with 
exterior lamp switch in positionU. 
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior 
lamp switch to positionB and pull 
the exterior lamp switch to first or sec-
ond stop.
iFor exterior lamp switch, see 
(page 98). 
     
        
        Page 127 of 376

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed shut-off)
Use the 
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF
 
function to set whether and for how long 
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are 
closed.
When the delayed shut-off feature is acti-
vated and the exterior lamp switch is in po-
sition U, the following lamps will 
remain lit after you remove the SmartKey 
from the starter switch:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Front fog lampsTo activate night security illumination:
Select delayed shut-off period (see be-
low).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion U.
To select delayed shut-off period:
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to the 
LIGHT-
ING 
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the dis-
play: 
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to select the de-
sired lamp-on period.
You can select:
0 s
, the delayed shut-off feature is 
deactivated
15 s
, 30 s
, 45 s
 or 
60 s
, the delayed 
shut-off feature is activated
You can temporarily deactivate the de-
layed shut-off feature:
Before leaving the vehicle turn the 
SmartKey in the starter switch to 
position0.
Then turn it to position2 and back 
to0.
The delayed shut-off feature is deacti-
vated. It will reactivate as soon as you 
reinsert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
iYou can reactivate this function within 
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after remov-
ing the SmartKey, the lamps will auto-
matically switch off after 60 seconds. 
     
        
        Page 142 of 376

142 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position 
Gear selector lever position 
when the vehicle is parked. Place 
gear selector lever in positionP 
only when vehicle is stopped. 
The park position is not intended 
to serve as a brake when the 
vehicle is parked. Rather, the 
driver should always set the 
parking brake in addition to 
placing the gear selector lever in 
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be 
removed from the starter switch 
with the gear selector lever in 
positionP. With the SmartKey 
removed, the gear selector lever 
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system 
is malfunctioning, the gear 
selector lever could remain 
locked in positionP 
(page 291).
í
Reverse gear 
Place gear selector lever in 
positionR only when vehicle is 
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the 
engine to the drive axle. When 
the brakes are released, the 
vehicle can be moved freely 
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while 
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or 
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN 
only if the vehicle is in danger of 
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive 
The transmission shifts 
automatically. All five forward 
gears are available. 
     
        
        Page 197 of 376

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*
Mount the roof rack only between the fas-
tening points1 and in the recess of the 
rubber strip2.
Luggage cover
Removal
Take off securing straps1.
Pull cover towards rear2.
Installation
Place cover into holder.
Attach securing straps to trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo area, you can fold 
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by 
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to 
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
!Do not place anything on the luggage 
cover below the rear window.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment, 
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants unless the items are 
securely fastened in the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 198 of 376

198 Controls in detailLoadingFolding the backrest forward
Pull release handle1.
Fold seat cushion2 forward.
Fully retract and fold rearward head re-
straints (
page 92).
Pull release lever3.
Fold backrest4 forward.
Setting up rear seat bench
Fold backrest rearward until it engag-
es.
Fold seat cushion rearward until it 
locks into position.
If the backrest is not locked into position, 
a red indicator1 will be visible.
Check for secure locking by pushing 
and pulling on the backrest.
Warning!
G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest 
up, then the backrest is not properly locked 
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position 
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use. 
Check for secure locking by pushing and 
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants unless the items are 
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when transporting cargo. 
     
        
        Page 199 of 376

199 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated 
on the certification tag which can be found 
on the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to 
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being 
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against 
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten 
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of 
the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown 
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items 
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs. 
Do not place anything on the rear-window 
shelf. 
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open. 
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death. 
     
        
        Page 200 of 376

200 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box
2Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box
Pull lid release2.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box
Insert mechanical key into the glove 
box lock and turn it to position4.
Unlocking the glove box
Turn mechanical key in the glove box 
lock to position3.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e  o r  c a r g o  i n  t h e  t r u n k  i f  p o s s i b l e .  D o  n o t  
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat 
backs. Do not place anything on the luggage 
cover below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy 
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help 
to prevent stored objects from being thrown 
about and injuring vehicle occupants during 
an accident.
iPrior to closing the glove box, close the 
compartment for glasses first.