Page 46 of 400
46 Getting startedDrivingFor more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 239).
Switching on headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the 
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn switch toB.
For more information on headlamps, see 
“Lighting” (
page 100).
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.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector 
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is 
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not 
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could 
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You 
could lose control of the vehicle and hit 
someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when 
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. 
     
        
        Page 58 of 400

58 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
Adjust the driver seat as far as possible 
rearward, still permitting proper opera-
tion of vehicle controls. The distance 
from the center of the driver’s breast-
bone to the center of the airbag cover on 
the steering wheel must be at least ten 
inches (25 cm) or more. You should be 
able to accomplish this by a combina-
tion of adjustments to the seat and 
steering wheel. If you have any prob-
lems, please see your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not lean with your head or chest 
close to the steering wheel or dash-
board.
Keep hands on the outside of steering 
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms in-
side the rim can increase the risk and 
potential severity of hand/arm injury 
when driver front airbag inflates.
Adjust the front passenger seat as far as 
possible rearward from the dashboard 
when the seat is occupied. 
Occupants, especially children, should 
never lean their heads in the area of the 
door where the side airbag inflates. This 
could result in serious injuries or death 
should the airbag be triggered. Always 
sit upright, properly use the seat belts 
and appropriate size infant or child 
restraint system.
Children 12 years old and under must 
never ride in the front seat, except in a 
Mercedes-Benz authorized 
BabySmart
TM1
 compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM 
system installed in the vehicle to deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when it 
is properly installed. Otherwise they will 
be struck by the airbag when it inflates 
in a crash. If this happens, serious or fa-
tal injury will result.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens 
Automotive Corp.
Failure to follow these instructions can 
result in severe injuries to you or other 
occupants.
If you sell your vehicle you are responsible 
to make the buyer aware of these points. 
Make sure to give the buyer this Operator’s 
Manual.
 
     
        
        Page 100 of 400
100 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps and use the turn signals, see the 
“Getting started” section (
page 46).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the 
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode
CParking lamps (also side marker 
lamps, tail lamps, license plate 
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only:
When engine is running, the low 
beam is also switched on.
BLow beam plus parking lamps or 
high beam headlamps (combination 
switch pushed forward).
ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one 
stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two 
stops)
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles 
drive on the other side of the road than 
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps 
modified for symmetrical low beams. 
Relevant information can be obtained 
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 
     
        
        Page 118 of 400
118 Controls in detailControl system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired channel is found.Operate the CD player*
Turn on the radio and select the CD 
player (
page 185).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played are shown in the display.
1Current track
2Current CD (for CD changer*)
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired track is selected.
iFeature description is based on 
preliminary information available at 
time of printing.
For more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Satellite radio (SAT)* 
(USA only)” (
page 178).
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
iTo select a CD from the magazine, 
press a number on the audio system or 
the COMAND* system key pad located 
in the center dashboard.
 
     
        
        Page 119 of 400

119 Controls in detail
Control system
Operate the cassette player
Turn on the radio and select the 
cassette player (
page 182).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the cassette 
currently being played are shown in the 
display.
1Current side
Press buttonj to fast forward to 
the next track.
Press buttonk to rewind the 
cassette to the beginning of the current 
track.
NAVI* menu
The 
NAVI
 menu contains the functions 
needed to operate your navigation system.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until you see the message 
NAVI
 in the 
display.
If the navigation system is switched off, 
the message 
NAVI OFF
 is shown in the 
display. 
If the navigation system is on, the 
message 
NAVI ACTIVE
 is shown in the 
display.
Please refer to the COMAND* manual for 
instructions on how to activate the route 
guidance system*.
iTo select the reverse side of the tape, 
press button below track number on 
the audio system display, or enter 
request on the COMAND* system 
located in the center dashboard. 
     
        
        Page 145 of 400

145 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
Windshield wipers
More information on the windshield wipers 
can be found in the “Getting started” 
section (
page 47).
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers with rain sensor*
A rain sensor automatically controls the 
windshield wipers depending on how wet 
the windshield is.
Switch on ignition.
Set the wiper switch to positionI 
(page 47).
After the initial wipe, pauses between 
wipes are automatically controlled by the 
rain sensor.
Headlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the 
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition. 
Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a 
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer 
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system 
and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 259).
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when 
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front 
door is opened.
!Do not leave windshield wipers in 
intermittent setting when the vehicle is 
taken to an automatic car wash or 
during windshield cleaning. Wipers will 
operate in the presence of water 
sprayed on the windshield, and wipers 
may be damaged as a result.
The switch should not be left in 
intermittent setting as the wipers will 
wipe the windshield once every time 
the engine is started. Dust that 
accumulates on the windshield might 
scratch the glass and/or damage the 
wiper blades when wiping occurs on a 
dry windshield. 
     
        
        Page 157 of 400
157 Controls in detail
Climate control
Opening the air vent
Raise lever1.
Closing the air vent
Lower lever1.Rear passenger compartment 
adjustable air vents
1Left center air vent
2Thumbwheel for air volume control for 
center air vents
3Right center air ventTo open center air vents:
Turn thumbwheel2 upward.
iThe compartment can get very warm 
due to its confined space. When storing 
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent while heating 
the passenger compartment.!Do not obstruct the air vent in the 
storage compartment.
iThe temperature at the center air vents 
for the rear passenger 
compartment1 and3 i s  t h e  s a m e  a s  
at the dashboard center air vents. 
     
        
        Page 161 of 400

161 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 ande for 
the left side or6 and7 for the right side 
(page 159) to separately adjust the air 
temperature on each side of the passenger 
compartment. You should raise or lower 
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).Increasing
Push temperature control1 
and/or6.
The automatic climate control system 
will correspondingly adjust the interior 
air temperature.
Decreasing
Push temperature control7 
and/ore.
The automatic climate control system 
will correspondingly adjust the interior 
air temperature.
Adding outside air
Turn thumbwheel3 in dashboard 
(page 159) to increase airflow of 
outside air through air vents for center, 
left and right sides and rear passenger 
compartment.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air 
pollution) may require replacement of 
the filter before its scheduled interval. 
A clogged filter will reduce the air 
volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate 
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the 
windshield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing 
objects on the air flow-through exhaust 
slots below the rear window.
iWhen operating the climate control 
system in automatic mode, you will 
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.