
229 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive 
cruise control system increases the driving 
convenience afforded by the cruise control 
during travel on expressways and other 
major roads.
If the Distronic distance sensor detects 
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead, 
your vehicle speed will be reduced so 
that you follow that vehicle at a preset 
distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of 
you, Distronic will function in the same 
way as cruise control (
page 226). 
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does 
not react to stationary objects, nor recog-
nize or predict the curvature and lane layout 
or the movement of vehicles ahead. Distron-
ic can only apply a maximum of 20% of the 
vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to 
be attentive to traffic and road conditions 
and to provide the steering, braking and oth-
er driving inputs necessary to retain control 
of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed 
adjustment reduction capability is intended 
to make cruise control more effective and 
usable when traffic speeds vary. However, it 
is not intended to, nor does it, replace the 
need for extreme care. The responsibility for 
the vehicle speed and the distance to the ve-
hicle ahead, including most importantly 
brake operation to assure safe stopping dis-
tance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following 
information carefully before operating the 
system.iFor operation in the USA only: This de-
vice complies with Part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired 
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this 
device could void the user’s authority 
to operate the equipment. 

239 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning 
system is a dirty sensor (located behind 
the hood grille), especially at times of snow 
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case, Dis-
tronic will switch off, and the message Distronic
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manual appears in the multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system 
sensor cover” (
page 308).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect 
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect 
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle 
to brake late or unexpectedly.
iIf the messageDistronic
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manualdisappears during driving and the last 
speed stored flashes for approximately 
five seconds, the dirt (e.g. slush) has 
dissolved; Distronic works again. 

241 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid 
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the 
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition 
and release the parking brake. The Park-
tronic system deactivates at speeds over 
approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At low-
er speeds the Parktronic system turns on 
again.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors 
in the front bumper and four sensors in the 
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is 
not intended to, nor does it replace, the 
need for extreme care. The responsibility 
during parking and other critical maneuvers 
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects 
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes 
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts or road 
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by 
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic 
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see 
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors” 
(page 308).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air 
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to 
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the 
area in which you are maneuvering. You 
could otherwise injure them. 

242 Controls in detailDriving systemsRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be 
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the 
sensors regularly, being careful not to 
scratch or damage the sensors.Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
If the system encounters an obstacle in 
this range, all the warning lamps come on 
and you hear a warning signal. If the obsta-
cle is closer than the minimum distance, 
the actual distance may no longer be indi-
cated by the system.
Center
approx. 39 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 23,5 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 47 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special 
attention to objects located above or 
below the height of the sensors (e.g. 
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to 
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the 
Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm) 

419 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up 
during braking so that the vehicle can 
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering 
pin is an aid used when changing a tire 
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM1
 airbag deactivation 
system
This system detects if a special system 
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The 
system will automatically deactivate 
the passenger front airbag when such a 
seat is properly installed (indicator 
lamp PASS. AIRBAG OFF in the center 
console comes on). See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for avail-
ability.
BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children. 
The sensor system for the passenger 
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM 
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking 
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it 
senses an emergency based on how 
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as 
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps. 
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low 
beam and high beam.
1BabySmart 
TM 
is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp. 

439 Index
Instrument cluster 22, 126, 421
Cleaning 309
Coolant temperature indicator 127
Illumination 126
Lamps in 312–318
Multifunction display 129
Outside temperature indicator 128
Selecting language 143
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 124
Activating automatic control 124
Deactivating automatic control 125
Delayed switch-off 148
Manual operation 125
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Interior storage spaces 250
Armrest 251
Glove box 250
Parcel net 253
Storage bags 252
J
Jack 343, 345
Jump starting 388K
Key, mechanical 348
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing the batteries 351
Key-dependency memory
Settings 151
KEYLESS-GO* 421
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 96
Closing soft top 96
Closing windows with 214
Factory setting 94
Global locking 94
Global unlocking 94
Important notes 92
Locking the vehicle 95
Messages in display 334
Remote controls 91
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 55
Unlocking with 32
Unlocking, trunk lid 96
Kickdown 163, 421
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 142
Km/h or mph in speedometer 142L
Labels, identification 400
Lamp bulbs, exterior 372
Lamp sensor
Messages in display 336
Lamps, exterior
Front 373
Light sensor 336
Messages in display 335–338
Rear 373
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 312
Battery (SmartKey) 89, 94
Brakes 313
Center console 319
CHECK ENGINE 314
Coolant 315, 328
Distance warning 316
Distronic* 231, 237
Engine diagnostics 314
ESP 316, 317
Fuel reserve 317
Instrument cluster 312–318
PASS. AIRBAG OFF 63, 319
Roll bar 317
Seat belts 318 

442 IndexMenus 130
AUDIO 134
Control system 422
Distronic* 137, 232
In control system 132, 133
Malfunction memory 138
NAV 137
Settings menu 139
Standard display 134
Submenus 131
TEL* 154
Trip computer 152
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 142
Minispare wheel 346
Mounting 380
Removing 346
Storing 346
Technical data 406
Wheel bolts 347Mirrors
Activating exterior rear 
view mirror parking position 169
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare 
for rear view mirror 168
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view 
mirror parking positions 151
Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view 
mirror parking position 118
MON 285
MON (Motor Octane Number) 422
Mph or km/h in speedometer 142
Multicontour seat* 112
Multifunction display 129, 422
Selecting language 143
Standard display 133Multifunction display messages
ABS 321
BAS 322, 323
Battery 326
Brake fluid 327
Brake pads 327
Check engine 314
Coolant 329
Coolant level 328
Cruise control 323
Display 331
Distronic* 323
Doors 331
Engine 314
Engine oil 332
ESP 324
Fog lamps, front 335
Fuel reserve tank 334
High beam headlamps 335
Hood 334
Key 334
Lamp sensor 336
Lamps 336
License plate lamp 336
Low beam 336
Parking brake 327 

444 IndexOpening from the inside
Trunk 100
Operating
Audio system 183
Cassette player 136
CD player 136
COMAND* see 
separate operating instructions
Navigation system 137
Radio 135
Radio transmitters 281
Telephone* 154, 183, 203
Vehicle outside the 
USA and Canada 13
Operating roll bar manually 353
Operating safety
Audio system 183
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 307
Outside temperature indicator 128
Overdue service 302
Overhead control panel 27
Overspeed range 423P
Paintwork 305
Panic alarm 75
Panic button on SmartKey 75
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell 253
Parking 52, 275
Parking assist* see Parktronic*
Parking brake 46, 53
Engaging 53
Message in display 327
Releasing 46
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 373, 375, 377
Switching on 119
Parking position
Exterior rear 
view mirrors 118, 151, 169
Parktronic* 241, 423
Sensor 308
Parts see Spare parts service
PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 319
Passenger airbags 63Passenger compartment 280
Fuse box in 394
Interior lighting 124
Interior rear view mirror 38
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell 253
Storage bags, 
rear side of the front seats 252
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 273
Phone book*
Loading 155
Quick search 156
Phone number*
Dialing 155
Redialing 156
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 310
Playing
CDs 201
Poly-V-belt drive 423
Layout 401