Page 36 of 314
36 Getting startedAdjustingThe switch is located on the center
console.
1Driver’s side mirror
2Passenger side mirror
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
light up.
Turn switch to position1 for the left
mirror or to position2 for the right
mirror.
Toggle switch up, down, left or right
according to the setting desired.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 99).
iAt low ambient temperatures, the exte-
rior mirrors will be heated automatical-
ly.
!If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward or rearward,
reposition it by applying firm pressure
until it snaps into place. The mirror
housing is now properly positioned and
you can adjust the mirror normally.
Page 44 of 314
44 Getting startedDrivingHigh beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam symbolA in the
instrument cluster lights up.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 85).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Switching on windshield wipers
2Single wipe
Make sure the ignition is switched on.Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal blinks three times.
iFast wiper speedIII goes to settingII
when the vehicle is standing still.
Page 47 of 314
47 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Brake lever
2Release button
Pull up brake lever1 firmly.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. 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.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Pull up the brake lever firmly.
Move the selector lever to position
P
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
Turn the key to steering lock position
0
and remove.
Page 52 of 314
52 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
Occupant safetyIn this section you will learn the most im-
portant facts about the restraint systems
of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are
Seat belts
Emergency tensioning device
Airbags
Child seats
Child seat recognition
As independent systems their protective
effects work in conjunction with each oth-
er.The1indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up for about four seconds
when you turn the key in the steering lock
to position1 or2. It goes out when you
start the engine. This shows that the re-
straint systems are operational.
If the lamp does not come on at all or if it
fails to extinguish after approximately four
seconds or if it comes on thereafter, a mal-
function in the system has been detected.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 203).
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and re-
straint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 60).
Warning!
G
In the event that the SRS malfunction indica-
tor lamp lights up during driving or does not
come on at all, the SRS may not be opera-
tional. For your safety, we strongly recom-
mend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the SRS may
not be activated when needed in an acci-
dent, which could result in serious or fatal
injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in inju-
ry.
Improper work on the restraint systems, in-
cluding incorrect installation and removal,
can lead to possible injury through an unin-
tended activation of the SRS.
In addition, through improper work there is
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended airbag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be per-
formed by qualified technicians. Contact
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 66 of 314
66 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:
ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
The - malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster (
page 20) lights up
when you turn the key in the steering lock
to position2. It goes out when the engine
is running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires),
or snow chains as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:
Excessive speed, especially in turns
Wet and slippery road surfaces
Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS and ESP cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
Page 67 of 314
67 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 199).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance. Apply con-
tinuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The¿ malfunction indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up when you
turn the key in the steering lock to
position2. It goes out when the engine is
running.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 199).
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
Page 73 of 314
73 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission*
Good visibility
Climate control
Audio system
Power windows
Retractable hardtop
Driving systems
Useful features
Page 80 of 314
80 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingActivating
Check that the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.
Press and hold upper part1 of the
central locking switch for approximate-
ly five seconds.
The automatic central locking is acti-
vated.
Deactivating
Check that the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.
Press and hold lower part2 of the
central locking switch for approximate-
ly five seconds.
The automatic central locking is deacti-
vated.
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from in-
side using the central locking switch. This
can be useful, for example, if you want to
unlock the passenger door from the inside
or want to lock the vehicle before starting
to drive.Locking
Press upper part1 of central locking
switch (
page 79).
If all the doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
Unlocking
Press lower part2 of central locking
switch (
page 79).
The vehicle unlocks.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked using the remote control, it will
not unlock using the central locking
switch.
