Page 21 of 400
21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch
Turn signals
47
Windshield wipers
47
High beam
47
2
Cruise control lever
206
3
Instrument cluster
22,
109
4
Multifunction steering 
wheel
24,
114
5
Lever for voice control 
system*, see separate 
operating instructions
Item
Page
6
Overhead control panel
27
7
Glove box lid release, glove 
box lock
216
8
Glove box
216
9
Center console
25
a
Starter switch
31
b
Horn
c
Steering wheel adjustment 
handle (manual)
37
d
Steering wheel adjustment 
stalk (electrical)*
37
Item
Page
e
Hood lock release
252
f
Parking brake pedal
45, 50
g
Trunk lid release switch
86
h
Door control panel
28
j
Parking brake release
45
k
Exterior lamp switch
102
l
Exterior rear view mirror 
adjustment
38
m
Headlamp washer switch*
148 
     
        
        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. 
     
        
        Page 257 of 400

257 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check 
the coolant level, the vehicle must be 
parked on level ground and the engine 
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on 
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment. 
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap slowly approxi-
mately one half turn to the left to 
release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap to the left and 
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level 
for cold coolant: reaches the black 
top part of the reservoir
for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in 
(1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see 
“Coolants” (
page 356).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the 
hood if there are any signs of steam or 
coolant leaking from the cooling system, 
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if engine temperature is 
above 194°F (90°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and 
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap 
approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess 
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out 
under pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine 
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene 
glycol which may burn if it comes into 
contact with hot engine parts. 
     
        
        Page 316 of 400

316 Practical hintsReplacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper bladesRemoving wiper blades
Fold the wiper arm forward.
1Lock
2Unlock
Pull the tab in direction of arrow2 and 
remove windshield wiper.
Installing wiper blades
Slide the wiper blade into the cutout on 
the wiper arm.
Slide the tab back in the direction of 
arrow1 until it audibly engages.
Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on 
the windshield. Make sure you hold on 
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm 
back.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from 
starter switch before replacing a wiper 
blade. Otherwise the motor could suddenly 
turn on and cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper 
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the 
wiper arm back. If released, the force 
of the impact from the tensioning 
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact 
the windshield glass without a wiper 
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are 
properly installed. Improperly installed 
wiper blades may cause windshield 
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend 
that you have this work carried out by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.