Page 359 of 435
358 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Turn signal lamp (white socket)
2Tail, parking, standing, and side marker
lamp (red socket)
3Tail lamp, rear fog lamp (red socket)
4Backup lamp (black socket)
Switch off the lights.
Open trunk.
Turn the catch, and move the trim to
the side.
Turn bulb socket counterclockwise and
pull out.
Gently twist bulb counterclockwise and
pull out of bulb holder.
Insert new bulb into the holder and turn
it clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket.
The bulb socket should audibly click.
Replace trim and secure with lock. License plate lamp
1Screws
Switch off the lights.
Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.
Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
it.
Retighten the screws.
Page 373 of 435

372 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See notes on the battery (
page 366)
or on jump starting (
page 369).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
Page 408 of 435

407 Index
A
ABC 220, 401
Messages in display 313, 318
Setting vehicle level 219, 221
ABS 77, 401
Malfunction indicator lamp 304
Messages in display 314
Warning lamp 304
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 170
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 191
Air conditioning 190
Air recirculation mode 187
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Central locking (control system) 159
Charcoal filter 188
Distance warning function* 215
Distronic* 211
Easy-entry/exit feature 160
ESP 81
Exterior lamps 125Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 175
Front and rear fog lamp 126, 127
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 47
High beams 128
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button 33
Immobilizer 53, 83
Limiting opening height of
trunk lid* 159
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 191
Seat heater 114, 116
Seat ventilation* 117
Tow-away alarm 85
Windshield wipers 48
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
Downshifting 169, 172
Upshifting 169, 172
Adding
Coolant 279
Engine oil 277
Additional turn signals 353Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 192
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 184
Air volume 186
Backrest tilt 35
Drive-dynamic seat 163
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Instrument cluster illumination 131
Interior rear view mirror 38
Lumbar support 112
Mirrors 38
Multicontour backrest* 112
Power seat bench* 118
Seat cushion depth 35, 112
Seat cushion tilt 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 35
Seat in the lumbar region 113
Seat in the shoulder region 112
Seats 34
Steering column height 37
Steering column in or out 37
Page 410 of 435

409 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 129
Deactivating 130
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 170
Comfortable program mode 170
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Fluid level 278
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever position 167
Gear shifting malfunctions 173
Kickdown 170
One-touch gearshifting 165
Program mode selector switch 170
Selector lever position 164
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG 168
Transmission fluid 278
Winter program mode 171
Auxiliary fuse box 374B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71
Compatible child seats 71, 401
Self-test 71
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 401
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 113
Shoulder region 112
Backup lamps 354, 358
Bulbs 354
BAS 78, 401
Messages in display 315
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 350
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 349
Battery discharged
Jump starting 369
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 351
Check lamp 95Battery, vehicle 280, 366
Charging 367
Disconnecting 367
Reconnecting 368
Reinstalling 367
Removing 367
Bi-Xenon headlamps 401
Block heater (Canada only) 293
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 401
Brake fluid 270, 394
Brake lamp bulbs 354
Brake lamp, high mounted 354
Brake pads
Message in display 321
Brakes 260
Warning lamp 305
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 353
Additional turn signals 353
Backup lamps 354
Brake lamps 354
Page 411 of 435

410 Index
Fog lamps 353
Front lamps 353
High beam 353
High mounted brake lamp 354
License plate lamps 354, 358
Low beam 353
Parking and standing lamps 353
Parking lamps 354, 357
Rear fog lamp 354
Rear fog lamps 358
Side marker lamps 353, 357
Standing lamps 353, 354, 357
Tail lamp assemblies 354, 358
Turn signal lamps 353, 354
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 402
Calling up
Distronic* settings 147
Range (distance to empty) 150
Service indicator 295
CAN system 402
Cargo tie-down hooks 230Cassette player
Operating 141
Catalytic converter 267
CD changer* 142
CD mode 142
CD player
Operating 141
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 311
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 154
Central locking
Automatic 106
From inside 107
Switch 107
Switching on/off (control
system) 159
Unlocking from inside 107
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 350
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 351
CDs 142SmartKey setting 160
Vehicle level 219, 222
Charcoal filter 188
Activating 188
Deactivating 189
Charging
Vehicle battery 367
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 306
Checking
Brake fluid 270
Coolant level 278
Oil level 271, 273
Oil level via control system 274
Tire inflate pressure 271
Vehicle lighting 271
Child safety 69
Airbags 60
Infant and child restraint systems 64,
69
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Cigarette lighter 239
Page 412 of 435

411 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 301
Distronic* system sensor cover 299
Gear selector lever 301
Hard plastic trim items 301
Headlamps 177
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 301
Instrument cluster 301
Leather upholstery 302
Light alloy wheels 301
Nubuck leather upholstery 302
Parktronic* system sensor 299
Plastic and rubber parts 302
Seat belts 301
Steering wheel 301
Upholstery 302
Windows 300
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 299
Wood trims 302
Clock 23Closing
Cup holder 237
Glove box 231
Hood 273
Power windows with
KEYLESS-GO* 198
Side windows 196
Sliding/pop-up roof 199, 352
Sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 202
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 201
Trunk lid 98
Windows 195
Windows with SmartKey 197
Closing from the inside
Trunk 100
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 352
Cockpit 20, 402
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 402COMAND 402
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 128
High beam flasher 48, 128
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Comfortable driving
Transmission program mode 170
Consumer information 399
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 266
Control system 134, 402
AUDIO menu 139
Checking oil level 274
Convenience submenu 160
Display digital speedometer 139
Distronic* menu 147
Functions 136, 138
Instrument cluster submenu 154
Lighting submenu 155
Malfunction memory menu 150
Page 425 of 435

424 IndexRear seats 118
Fore and aft adjustment 119
Head restraint folding 119
Individual seats* 118
Passenger seat fore and aft
adjustment 120
Passenger seat head restraint
height 120
Passenger seat height 120
Rear seat head restraints 110
Seat height 119
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear* 119
Rear view mirror 27
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 174
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Blocking operation 74
Rear window defroster 189
Activating 189
Deactivating 189
Rear window sunshade* 179
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 368Refueling 269
Regular checks 270
Regular driving style 221
Reinstalling vehicle battery 367
Remote controls
Integrated 252
SmartKey 88, 92
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 249
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 405
Removing
Vehicle battery 367
Wheel 364
Wiper blades 359
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 358
Brake fluid 394
Brake lamp bulbs 358
Bulbs 353
Front lamp bulbs 355
License plate lamp bulbs 358
Parking lamp bulbs 357
Rear fog lamp bulbs 358
Rear lamp bulbs 354, 358Rear turn signal bulbs 358
Side marker lamp bulbs 357
Standing lamp bulbs 357
Wiper blades 359
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset button in the instrument
cluster 151
Resetting
All functions (control system) 151
All functions of a submenu 152
Fuel consumption 149
Service indicator (FSS) 295
Trip odometer 132
Residual heat utilization 191, 405
Residual ventilation 191
REST (Residual engine heat
utilization) 405
Restraint system see Infant and child
restraint systems 69, 72
Rims and Tires 384
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid* 246
Rolling code programming 253
Page 431 of 435

430 IndexTow-away alarm 85
Arming 85
Disarming 85
Disarming for transport 85
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 345
Installing 373
Towing the vehicle 371
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 250
Traction 170, 406
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 278
Tread depth (tires) 292
Trip computer 148
Trip odometer
Resetting 132
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 374
Closing from the inside 100
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 95
Locking separately 105
Message in display 334
Opening 97
Opening from inside vehicle 97
Opening from the inside 99Parcel net 238
Tie-down hooks 230
Trunk lid 97, 99, 100
Trunk lock 349
Unlocking in an emergency 349
Unlocking separately 105, 106
Unlocking with SmartKey 90
Trunk lid
Closing 98
Trunk lid emergency release 104
Trunk lid opening/closing system* 99
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 353, 354
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 353
Cleaning lenses 298
Front bulbs 353, 356
Rear bulbs 354, 358
Turning off
Engine 53
Turning off the engine 54U
Units
Setting speedometer units 154
Setting temperature units 154
Unlocking 30, 88
Driver’s door in an emergency 348
Fuel filler flap 269
Global 89
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 94
Glove box 231
In an emergency 348
Selective settings 89, 94
Trunk in an emergency 349
Trunk lid with SmartKey 90
Trunk lid, separately 105, 106
Vehicle in an emergency 249
With the SmartKey 30
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 32, 91
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 248
Uphill driving
Cruise control 204