Page 82 of 442

82 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFour 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 opera-
tion, the engine and ignition must be 
shut off (SmartKey in starter switch 
position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button* in 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 83 of 442
83 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized 
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey: Removing the 
SmartKey from the starter switch acti-
vates the immobilizer.
With KEYLESS-GO*: Turning off the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button on the gear selector 
lever activates the immobilizer.Deactivating
With the SmartKey: Inserting the 
SmartKey in the starter switch deacti-
vates the immobilizer.
With KEYLESS-GO*: Starting the en-
gine by means of the start/stop button 
on the gear selector lever deactivates 
the immobilizer.
iIn case the engine cannot be started 
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged), 
the system is not operational. Contact 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the 
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). 
     
        
        Page 85 of 442

85 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Canceling the alarm
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
or
Press the Œ or ‹ button on the 
SmartKey.
The alarm is canceled.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp the outside door handle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button.
The alarm is canceled.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual 
and audible alarm will be triggered when 
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming the 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 automatical-
ly.
Disarming the tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm 
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on 
a surface subject to movement, such as a 
ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the overhead con-
trol panel.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than 
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* (
page 250), provided that the 
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and 
properly activated, and that necessary 
cellular service and GPS coverage are 
available.  
     
        
        Page 86 of 442
86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems1Tow-away alarm off button
Switch off the ignition and remove the 
SmartKey.
Press button1.
The indicator lamp in the button comes 
on briefly.
Exit and lock your vehicle with the 
SmartKey or (vehicles with KEY-
LESS-GO*) the lock button at each 
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.Canceling tow-away alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
or
Press the Œ or ‹ button on the 
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp the outside door handle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm 
when the ignition is switched on. 
     
        
        Page 93 of 442

93 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
To lock or unlock the vehicle, the 
SmartKey must be located outside the 
vehicle within approximately 3 ft (1 m) 
of a door or the trunk.
In order to start the engine with the 
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO:
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO 
must be located in the vehicle.
All the doors must be closed.
The brake pedal must be firmly de-
pressed. Do not depress the accel-
erator.
If you have started the engine with the 
KEYLESS-GO start / stop button, you 
can only turn it off again with this but-
ton, even if you have put the SmartKey 
in the starter switch in the meantime.
This does not apply if, after starting, the 
selector lever is still in positionP and 
then the SmartKey is inserted in the 
starter switch. The SmartKey will then 
have priority over the KEYLESS-GO 
function and the vehicle’s electrical 
system will operate according to the 
position of the SmartKey in the starter 
switch, even stopping the engine.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is 
positioned farther away from the vehi-
cle and can no longer be recognized by 
the system, the vehicle cannot be 
locked or the engine started via the 
KEYLESS-GO system.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is re-
moved from the vehicle while the igni-
tion is switched on (e.g. if passenger 
exits the vehicle with the SmartKey), 
the message 
Key not recognized!
 will 
appear in the multifunction display.
Find the SmartKey or change its 
present location immediately (e.g. 
place it on the front passenger seat or 
insert it in shirt pocket).
Remember that the engine can be 
started by anyone with a SmartKey 
with KEYLESS-GO that is left inside the 
vehicle. If you leave the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO behind when exiting and 
locking the vehicle, the message 
Key 
recognized in vehicle!
 will appear in 
the multifunction display. 
     
        
        Page 97 of 442
97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are 
safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handle
Pull on door handle2.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will 
move up.
Opening the trunk
Opening the trunk from the outside
A minimum height clearance of 5.90 ft 
(1.80 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.
Pull on the handle.
The trunk opens.
iIf the vehicle has previously been 
locked from the outside with the 
SmartKey, opening a door from the in-
side will trigger the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the fol-
lowing:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
Press the Œ or ‹ button on 
the SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp the outside door handle.
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button. 
     
        
        Page 101 of 442

101 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Closing the trunk from the outside 
(vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*)
1Trunk lid closing switch
Press trunk lid closing switch1 brief-
ly.
The trunk lid closes.When closing, if the trunk lid comes into 
contact with an object (e.g. luggage that 
has been piled too high), the closing proce-
dure is stopped and the trunk re-opens 
slightly.
iDo not place the SmartKey in the open 
trunk. You may lock yourself out.Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among 
other dangers such as visibility blockage, 
exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle 
interior.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to 
ensure that no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury, 
always keep hands and fingers away from 
the trunk opening when closing the trunk. 
Be especially careful when small children 
are around. To stop the closing procedure, 
press the remote trunk lid switch (on the 
driver’s door), the trunk lid closing 
switch1 or the Š button on the Smart-
Key.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the 
SmartKey you, and lock your vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or 
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may 
cause an accident and/or serious personal 
injury. 
     
        
        Page 102 of 442

102 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingClosing the trunk from the outside 
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*)
1Trunk lid closing switch
Make sure you have the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO with you.
Press trunk lid closing switch1 brief-
ly.
The trunk lid closes.If the trunk lid comes into contact with an 
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has 
been piled too high), the closing procedure 
is stopped and the trunk re-opens slightly.
iTo prevent a possible inadvertent lock-
out, the trunk lid will open automatical-
ly if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is 
recognized inside the vehicle or in the 
trunk.Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among 
other dangers such as visibility blockage, 
exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle 
interior.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to 
ensure that no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury, 
always keep hands and fingers away from 
the trunk opening when closing the trunk. 
Be especially careful when small children 
are around. To stop the closing procedure, 
press the remote trunk lid switch (on the 
driver’s door), the trunk lid closing 
switch1 or the Š button on the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the 
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you, and 
lock your vehicle. Do not leave children un-
attended in the vehicle, or with access to an 
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident 
and/or serious personal injury.