Page 23 of 400

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left turn signal indicator 
lamp
47
2
Speedometer
3
Right turn signal indicator 
lamp
47
4
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
278
5
warning lamp
60,
278
1Supplemental 
restraint system 
indicator lamp
54,
278
6
Multifunction display 
with:
113
Trip odometer
111
Main odometer
113
Item
Page
Gear selector lever 
position
44,
145
Program mode
146
Outside temperature 
indicator
111
Digital clock
113
7
?Engine malfunction 
indicator lamp
276
vElectronic Stability 
Program (ESP) 
warning lamp
74,
277
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
47,
106
EIndicator lamp 
without function
1
DTRIndicator lamp 
without function
1
1The indicator lamp illuminates with SmartKey in
starter switch position2. It sh ould go out when the
engine is running.
Item
Page
8
-Antilock Brake 
System (ABS) 
indicator lamp
72,
274
;Brake warning 
lamp, USA only
45,
50,
275
3Brake warning 
lamp, Canada only
45,
50,
275
9
Tachometer
111
a
Reset button for:
Resetting trip 
odometer
111
Resetting individual 
settings
124
Instrument cluster 
illumination
109 
     
        
        Page 24 of 400
24 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Multifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display in 
speedometer
113
Operating control 
system
113
2
Selecting the submenu or 
setting the volumeçdown/to decreaseæup/to increase
3
Telephone*: Press buttoníto take a callìto end a call
Item
Page
4
Menu systems: Press 
buttonèfor next systemÿfor previous system
5
Moving within a menu: 
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display 
     
        
        Page 74 of 400

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see “Practical hints” 
(page 281).
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of 
adhesive friction between the tires and the 
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is 
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By 
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel 
and by limiting engine output, the ESP 
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is 
especially useful while driving off and on 
wet or slippery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lampv in the 
speedometer flashes when the ESP is 
engaged.
The ESP warning lampv in the 
speedometer comes on when you turn the 
SmartKey in the starter switch to 
position2. It goes out when the engine is 
running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of 
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can 
it increase braking efficiency beyond that 
afforded by the condition of the vehicle 
brakes and tires or the traction. The BAS 
cannot prevent accidents, including those 
resulting from excessive speed in turns, 
following another vehicle too closely, or 
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and 
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The 
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must 
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the 
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the 
ESP warning lampv flashing in the 
speedometer. In this case, proceed as 
follows:
While driving off, apply as little throttle 
as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving style to 
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could 
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting 
from excessive speed. 
     
        
        Page 76 of 400

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe switch is located on the center 
console.
1ESP off
2ESP on
Press upper switch position1.
The ESP warning lampv in the 
speedometer comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.If one or more drive wheels are spinning, 
the ESP warning lampv in the speed-
ometer flashes, regardless of the speed.
Traction control brakes a spinning wheel 
even when the ESP is deactivated.
The ESP always operates when you are 
braking, even when it has been deacti-
vated.
Switching on the ESP
Press lower switch position2.
The ESP warning lampv in the 
speedometer goes out.
You are now again in normal driving 
mode.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an 
extended period with the ESP switched 
off. This may cause serious damage to 
the drive train which is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
When the ESP warning lampv is 
illuminated continuously, the ESP is 
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating 
status of the ESP. 
     
        
        Page 77 of 400

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to 
use available traction, e.g. during winter 
operation in mountains under snowy 
conditions, by applying power to all four 
wheels.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lampv flash-
ing in the speedometer, proceed as follows:
While driving off, apply as little throttle 
as possible
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor
Adapt your speed and driving style to 
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could 
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting 
from excessive speed.!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be 
damaged, which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be 
damaged, which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Because of the ESP’s automatic 
operation, the engine must be shut off 
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 
or1) when the parking brake is being 
tested on a brake test dynamometer
Active braking action through ESP may 
otherwise seriously damage the front 
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine 
running can only be conducted on a 
two-axle dynamometer. 
     
        
        Page 114 of 400

114 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system are 
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is 
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each 
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found 
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under 
AUDIO
, for example). These 
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your 
vehicle.
1
Multifunction display in the 
speedometerOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volumeçdown/to decreaseæup/to increase
3
Telephone*íto take a callìto end a call
4
Menu systemsèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menujfor next displaykfor previous display 
     
        
        Page 117 of 400
117 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard display
AUDIO
NAVI*
Malfunction 
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone*
Commands/submenusCoolant 
temperature display
Select radio station
Activate route 
guidance
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consumption 
statistics after 
start
Load phone 
book
Digital speedometer
Operate CD 
player*
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consumption 
statistics since 
the last reset
Search for 
name in 
phone book
Call up FSS
Operate casette 
player
Lighting 
submenu
Call up range
Check engine oil 
level
Vehicle 
submenuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 118 of 400

118 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
You can select the functions in the 
standard display menu with buttonk 
orj.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press buttonj twice.
The current vehicle speed is shown in 
the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the 
AUDIO
 menu operate 
the audio equipment which you currently 
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned 
on, the message 
AUDIO OFF
 is shown in the 
display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table 
are designed to facilitate navigation 
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the 
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each 
menu will automatically show you 
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up coolant temperature 
display
110
Call up digital speedometer 
118
Call up FSS
265
Check engine oil level
254
Function
Page
Select radio station
119
Select satellite radio station*
119
Operate CD player*
120
Operate cassette player
121