Page 87 of 400

87 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the trunk from the inside
You can open the trunk from the inside if 
the vehicle is stationary. 
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft 
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
1Remote trunk lid switch with indicator 
lamp
Press remote trunk lid switch1.
The trunk lid opens. The indicator lamp 
in the switch remains lit as long as the 
trunk is open.The trunk can also be opened using the 
SmartKey, see “Unlocking and opening the 
trunk lid” (
page 84) or from its inside in 
an emergency, see “Trunk lid emergency 
release” (
page 88).
Closing the trunk
1Handle
Lower trunk lid using handle1.
Close trunk lid with hands placed flat 
on it.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards 
automatically. Always make sure there 
is sufficient overhead clearance.iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still 
locked separately (if applicable) 
(page 89).
If the vehicle was previously centrally 
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally when closed (
page 87). The 
turn signals will flash three times to 
confirm locking.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always 
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk 
opening when closing the trunk. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are 
around. 
     
        
        Page 90 of 400

90 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingSeparately unlocking the trunk
Pull the mechanical key out of the 
SmartKey (
page 305).
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk 
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key 
counterclockwise to neutral 
position1 (
page 89).
You can now open the trunk (
page 86).
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft 
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock 
when the ignition is switched on and the 
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of ap-
proximately 9mph (15km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are 
safe to do so.For more information on towing the vehi-
cle, see see “Towing the vehicle” 
(
page 328).
You can deactivate the automatic locking 
mode using the control system, see “Set-
ting automatic locking” (
page 133). 
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk 
locking mode by means of the mechan-
ical key.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed. Among 
other dangers, such as your view being 
blocked, exhaust fumes may enter the 
vehicle interior.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an 
accident if the force of the impact 
exceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle automatically locks when 
the ignition is switched on and the 
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or 
more. You could therefore lock yourself 
out when the vehicle
is pushed or towed
is on a test stand 
     
        
        Page 94 of 400

94 Controls in detailSeatsFront seat head restraints, power seat*
Removing front seat head restraints
Press switch1 upwards and hold until 
head restraint is fully extended.
Pull out head restraint.
Installing front seat head restraints
Press switch1 upwards and hold for 
about five seconds.
Push head restraint down until it 
engages.
Adjust head restraint to desired 
position (
page 35).
Rear seat head restraints
Head restraint height (rear outer seats)
1Release button
Raising:
Manually adjust the height of the head 
restraint by pulling it upward.
If the head restraint is fully retracted, 
push release button1 and pull the 
head restraint out.Lowering:
To lower the head restraint, push 
release button1 and push down on 
the head restraint.Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly 
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head 
restraint supports the back of the head at 
eye level. This will reduce the potential for 
injury to the head and neck in the event of 
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat 
head restraints. Head restraints are 
intended to help reduce injuries during an 
accident.!The center rear seat head restraint 
cannot be adjusted. 
     
        
        Page 97 of 400
97 Controls in detail
Seats
Installing rear seat head restraints
Insert head restraint and push it down 
until it engages.
Push button1 and adjust head 
restraint to desired position.
Multicontour seat*
This multicontour seat has a movable seat 
cushion and inflatable air cushions built 
into the backrest to provide additional 
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest 
cushion height and curvature can be con-
tinuously varied with switches on the right 
side of the seat after starting the engine.
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Backrest side bolster adjustment
Start the engine.Seat cushion depth
Adjust the seat cushion depth to the 
length of your upper leg using 
switch1.
Backrest contour 
Adjust the contour of the backrest to 
the desired position using switches2 
and3.
Backrest side bolsters
Adjust the backrest side bolsters so 
that they provide good lateral support 
using switch4. 
     
        
        Page 99 of 400

99 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 135).
!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 
ensure adequate control, reach and 
comfort. The head restraint should also 
be adjusted for proper height. See also 
the section on airbags (
page 55) 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 
adjusted 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 217 of 400
217 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in front of seat armrestOpening cup holder
Slide cover1 rearward.
Push button2.
The cup holder opens automatically.Closing cup holder
Push in direction of arrow until cup 
holder engages.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder 
closed. Place only containers that fit into the 
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on 
open containers and do not fill containers to 
a height where the contents, especially hot 
liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers. 
     
        
        Page 218 of 400
218 Controls in detailUseful featuresCup holder in rear seat armrest
Opening cup holder
Push front of sliding compartment1.
The cup holder slides out.
Closing cup holder
Push sliding compartment1 back 
until it engages.Storage compartment in front of 
armrest
Opening
Slide cover1 rearward.
The compartment contains a cigarette 
lighter (
page 221), a coin holder and 
a cup holder (
page 217).
Closing
Slide cover1 forward.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder 
closed. Place only containers that fit into the 
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on 
open containers and do not fill containers to 
a height where the contents, especially hot 
liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers. 
     
        
        Page 252 of 400

252 OperationEngine compartment
Engine compartmentHood
Opening
1Hood release
Pull lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked and handle2 
will extend out of the radiator grille. 2Handle for opening the hood
Pull handle2 to its stop out of 
radiator grille.
Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on 
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held 
open at shoulder height by gas-filled 
struts. 
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the 
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the hood 
could be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield 
wipers or hood, never open the hood if 
the wiper arms are folded forward away 
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts when the hood is open and the 
engine is running. Make sure the hood is 
properly closed before driving. When closing 
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch 
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for 
approximately 30 seconds or even restart 
after the engine has been turned off. Stay 
clear of fan blades.Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the 
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is 
overheated, do not open the hood. Move 
away from vehicle and do not open the hood 
until the engine has cooled. If necessary, 
call the fire department.