ContentsSafety and Security........................... 53
Occupant safety................................... 54
Airbags ........................................... 55
Seat belts ....................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 63
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 70
Panic alarm* ........................................ 71
Activating ....................................... 71
Deactivating ................................... 71
Driving safety systems ......................... 72
ABS ................................................ 72
BAS ................................................ 73
ESP ................................................. 74
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 77
Anti-theft systems................................ 78
Immobilizer..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 81
Locking and unlocking ......................... 82
SmartKey ....................................... 82
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 85
Opening the trunk .......................... 86
Closing the trunk............................ 87
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 88
Separately locking the trunk .......... 89
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 90
Automatic central locking .............. 90
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 91
Seats ................................................... 92
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 92
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 93
Rear seat head restraints ............... 94
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats* ................................ 98
Memory function* ............................... 99
Storing positions into memory ..... 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 101Lighting ............................................. 102
Exterior lamp switch .................... 102
Combination switch ..................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting ............................ 107
Door entry lamps ......................... 108
Trunk lamp ................................... 108
Instrument cluster ............................. 109
Instrument cluster illumination .... 109
Coolant temperature display........ 110
Trip odometer .............................. 111
Tachometer .................................. 111
Outside temperature indicator ..... 111
Control system .................................. 113
Multifunction display.................... 113
Multifunction steering wheel........ 114
Menus .......................................... 116
Standard display menu ................ 118
AUDIO menu ................................ 118
NAVI* menu ................................. 121
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu* ................................... 138
Contents
Manual transmission ......................... 141
Shifting into reverse ..................... 141
Automatic transmission* ................... 142
One-touch gearshifting................. 143
Gear ranges ................................. 144
Gear selector lever position ......... 145
Program mode selector switch..... 146
Accelerator position ..................... 147
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 147
Good visibility .................................... 148
Windshield wipers ........................ 148
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 148
Rear view mirrors ......................... 149
Sun visors .................................... 151
Rear window sunshade* .............. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Climate control .................................. 154
Setting the temperature ............... 156
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 157
Defrosting .................................... 158
Air recirculation mode.................. 158
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 159
Air conditioning ............................ 160Ventilated storage compartment .. 160
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 161
Automatic climate control* ................ 162
Setting the temperature................ 165
Adjusting air distribution............... 166
Adjusting air volume ..................... 166
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 167
Defrosting ..................................... 167
Air recirculation mode .................. 167
Charcoal filter ............................... 169
Air conditioning............................. 170
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 172
Audio system ...................................... 173
Audio and telephone, operation .... 173
Operating safety ........................... 173
Operating and display elements.... 174
Button and soft key operation....... 176
Operation ...................................... 176
Radio operation ............................ 179
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)... 182
Cassette operation ....................... 186
CD changer* operation ................. 189
Telephone* operation ................... 193Power windows .................................. 200
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 200
Synchronizing power windows ...... 202
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 203
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 203
Synchronizing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 205
Driving systems .................................. 206
Cruise control ............................... 206
Loading .............................................. 209
Roof rack* .................................... 209
Ski sack* ...................................... 209
Split rear bench seat* .................. 212
Loading instructions ..................... 214
Useful features ................................... 216
Interior storage spaces ................. 216
Ashtrays........................................ 220
Cigarette lighter ............................ 221
Telephone* ................................... 222
Tele Aid* ....................................... 223
Garage door opener ...................... 231
Contents
Practical hints................................ 273
What to do if … .................................. 274
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 274
Lamp in center console................ 279
Messages in the display ............... 280
Where will I find ...? ........................... 300
First aid kit ................................... 300
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 300
Minispare wheel ........................... 302
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 305
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 305
Locking the vehicle ...................... 306
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 307
Fuel filler flap ............................... 308
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 308
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 309
Sliding/pop-up roof* ................... 309Replacing bulbs .................................. 310
Bulbs ............................................. 310
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 312
Side marker lamp bulb .................. 314
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 315
Replacing wiper blades....................... 316
Removing wiper blades ................. 316
Installing wiper blades .................. 316
Flat tire ............................................... 317
Preparing the vehicle .................... 317
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 317
Battery................................................ 323
Disconnecting the battery............. 324
Removing the battery.................... 324
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 324
Reconnecting the battery.............. 325Jump starting...................................... 326
Towing the vehicle.............................. 328
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 331
Fuses.................................................. 332
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 332
Fuse box in engine compartment . 333
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 334
15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
indicate cross-references to
term definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.
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
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
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
37 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, manual
1Handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle1 out to its stop limit.
Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
To lock the steering column, push
handle1 all the way in until it
engages.
The steering wheel is once again
locked into position.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or2 (
page 31).
or
Open the driver’s door.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the warning message
STEERING
WHEEL ADJ. - LOCK!
(page 298) is
displayed while the engine is running,
the steering column is not locked.
38 Getting startedAdjustingAdjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in the
direction of arrow1 until a comfort-
able steering wheel position is reached
with your arms slightly bent at the
elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down
Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (incl. malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the instru-
ment cluster are clearly visible.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
Interior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the interior rear view
mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 149).Exterior rear view mirrors
iThe memory function* (
page 99) lets
you store the setting for the steering
wheel together with the settings for the
seat position and exterior rear view
mirrors.
Warning!
G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes. !Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can only be
completely removed while in their
liquid state by applying plenty of water.