Page 31 of 400

31 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positionsStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the 
SmartKey is removed from the starter 
switch. If necessary, move steering 
wheel slightly to allow the locking 
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical 
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical 
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
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. Unsupervised use of vehicle 
equipment may cause an accident and/or 
serious personal injury.iVehicles with automatic transmission: 
The SmartKey can only be removed 
from the starter switch with the gear 
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the 
starter switch, the battery may not be 
sufficiently charged.
Check the battery and charge it if 
necessary (
page 323).
Get a jump start (
page 326).
To prevent accelerated battery 
discharge and a possible dead battery, 
always remove the SmartKey from the 
starter switch when the engine is not in 
operation. 
     
        
        Page 39 of 400

39 Getting started
Adjusting
The buttons are located above the exterior 
lamp switch.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror 
button
2Adjustment button
3Passenger-side exterior rear view 
mirror button
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All lamps in the instrument cluster 
come on.
Press button1 for the left mirror or 
button3 for the right mirror.
Push adjustment button2 up, down, 
left, or right according to the desired 
setting.
For more information, see “Activating exte-
rior rear view mirror parking position*” 
(
page 150).
!If an exterior rear view mirror was 
forcibly pushed forward (hit from the 
rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit 
from the front), reposition it by 
applying firm pressure until it snaps 
into place. The mirror housing is now 
properly positioned and you can adjust 
the mirror normally.
iThe memory function* (
page 99) lets 
you store the setting for the exterior 
rear view mirrors together with the set-
tings for the steering wheel and seat 
position.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the 
mirrors will be heated automatically. 
     
        
        Page 47 of 400
47 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the 
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press combination switch up1 or 
down2.High beam
Push combination switch forward.
The high beam symbolA in the 
instrument cluster comes on.
For more information on high beam, see 
“Combination switch” (
page 105).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the 
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers 
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
iTo signal minor directional changes, 
move combination switch to point of 
resistance only and release. The turn 
signal flashes three times. 
     
        
        Page 49 of 400

49 Getting started
Driving
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.
The coolant temperature is over 248°F 
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer 
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible 
and turn off the engine. Allow engine 
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 257).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
!If anything blocks the windshield 
wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch 
them off immediately.
For safety reasons, withdraw 
SmartKey from starter switch 
before attempting to remove any 
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on 
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at 
all in switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the 
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center 
     
        
        Page 80 of 400
80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away 
alarm is automatically armed after about 
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the 
tow-away protection disarms 
automatically.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm, 
switch off the tow-away alarm feature 
before towing the vehicle, or when parking 
on a surface subject to movement, such as 
a ferry or auto train.The switch is located on the center 
console.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the 
SmartKey.
Press upper switch position1.
Indicator lamp2 in switch comes on 
briefly.
Exit and lock your vehicle with the 
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed 
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
or
Press theŒ or‹ button on the 
SmartKey.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm 
while the ignition is switched on. 
     
        
        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 98 of 400

98 Controls in detailSeatsHeated seats*
Both switches for the front seats are 
located in the center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster 
come on.Switching on seat heating
Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch 
comes on.
Switching off seat heating
Press upper switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating
Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on switch 
come on.Switching off rapid seat heating
Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will be automatically 
switched off after approximately 
30 minutes.iThe system switches over to normal 
heating mode after approximately five 
minutes. Only one indicator lamp 
remains lit. 
!If one or both of the indicator lamps on 
the seat heater switch are flashing, 
there is insufficient voltage available 
since too many electrical consumers 
are turned on. The seat heater switches 
off automatically.
The seat heater will switch back on 
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available. 
     
        
        Page 100 of 400

100 Controls in detailMemory function*The memory button and stored position 
button are located on the door.
1Memory button
2Stored position button
Make sure the ignition is switched on 
or the relevant door is open and the 
SmartKey is inserted in the starter 
switch.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats, steering wheel and 
rear view mirrors to the desired posi-
tion (
page 32).
Turn button2 to selected memory 
position.
Press memory button1.
Release memory button and push 
button2 within three seconds.
All the settings are stored at the 
selected position.
Recalling positions from memory
Turn button2 to selected memory 
position.
Press and hold button2 until the seat, 
steering wheel and rear view mirrors 
have fully moved to the stored posi-
tions.iReleasing the button immediately 
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.Warning!
G
Do not operate the power seats using the 
memory button if the seat backrest is in an 
excessively reclined position. Doing so 
could cause damage to front or rear seats.
First move backrest to an upright position.