Page 104 of 442
102 Controls in detailSeatsFolding head restraints back with 
release button
The rear seat head restraints can be folded 
backward for increased visibility.
1Release button
Push release button1.
The head restraint will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with 
switch in the center console (rear outer 
seats)
1Switch for rear seat head restraints
Start the engine (
page 46).
Press switch1.
The rear seat head restraints will fold 
backward.Placing head restraints upright
Pull the head restraint forward until it 
locks into position.
iYou can also fold the rear outer seat 
head restraints back using the switch 
in the center console (
page 102).
Warning!
G
Make sure the head restraints engage when 
placing them upright. Otherwise their 
protective function cannot be assured. 
     
        
        Page 105 of 442

103 Controls in detailSeats
Head restraint tilt (rear outer seats)
Two different head restraint angle 
positions are available:
Press the release button (
page 102) 
and tilt the head restraint to the 
desired position.
Removing and installing rear seat head 
restraints (rear outer seats)
1Release button
Removing rear seat head restraints
Fold back head restraint (
page 102).
Pull head restraint to its highest 
position.
Push release button1 and pull out 
head restraint.
Installing rear seat head restraints
Insert head restraint and push it down 
until it engages.
Push button1 and adjust head 
restraint to desired position.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way 
that it is as close to the head as 
possible.iThe rear center seat head restraint 
cannot be removed.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly 
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the center of 
the head restraint supports the back of the 
head at eye level. This will reduce the poten-
tial for injury to the head and neck in the 
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat 
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Do not interchange head restraints from 
front and rear seat. 
     
        
        Page 108 of 442

106 Controls in detailMemory function*
You can store up to three different settings 
for each SmartKey.
The following settings are stored when 
using the buttons on the driver’s door:
Driver’s seat, backrest and head 
restraint position
Steering wheel position
Exterior rear view mirror positions
These key-dependent memory settings 
can be deactivated if desired. For informa-
tion on key-dependent memory settings, 
see “Setting key-dependency” 
(
page 147).The following settings are not 
key-dependent. They are stored when 
using the buttons on the front passenger 
door:
Front passenger seat, backrest and 
head restraint position
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the 
driver should check and adjust the seat 
height, seat position fore and aft, and 
seat backrest angle if necessary, to 
ensure adequate control, reach and 
comfort. The head restraint should also 
be adjusted for proper height. See also 
the section on air bags (
page 59) for 
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to 
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and 
exterior rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small 
children should be seated in a properly 
secured restraint system that complies 
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while 
driving. Activating the memory function 
while driving could cause the driver to lose 
control of the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 112 of 442

110 Controls in detailLightingManual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and the parking 
lamps can be switched on and off with the 
exterior lamp switch.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off 
automatically depending on the brightness 
of the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch 
position1, only the parking lamps will 
switch on and off automatically.
When the engine is running, the low 
beam headlamps, the tail and parking 
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the 
side marker lamps will switch on and 
off automatically.
iWith the SmartKey removed from the 
starter switch and the driver’s door 
open, a warning sounds if the parking 
lamps or low beam headlamps are 
switched on.
The message 
Switch off lights.
 
appears in the multifunction display
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright 
ambient light, for example light from 
oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically 
switched on under foggy conditions. 
To minimize risk to you and to others, 
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp 
switch toB when driving or when traffic 
and / or ambient lighting conditions require 
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only 
switch from positionU toB with the 
vehicle at a standstill. Switching fromU 
toB will briefly switch off the 
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low 
ambient lighting conditions may result in an 
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an 
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for 
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all 
times. 
     
        
        Page 114 of 442

112 Controls in detailLightingLocator lighting and night security 
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security 
illumination are described in the “Control 
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 143) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 143).
Fog lampsFront fog lamps
Switch on the low beam headlamps 
(page 109).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first 
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the 
exterior lamp switch comes on 
(page 109).
Push down the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the 
exterior lamp switch goes out.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions, 
only switch from positionU toB with 
the vehicle at a standstill. Switching 
fromU toB will briefly switch off the 
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low 
ambient lighting conditions may result in an 
accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking 
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps 
on. Fog lamps should only be used in 
conjunction with low beam headlamps. 
Consult your State or Province Motor 
Vehicle Regulations regarding permis-
sible lamp operation.iFog lamps cannot be switched on with 
the exterior lamp switch in 
positionU. For switching on the fog 
lamps, turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionB first. 
     
        
        Page 116 of 442
114 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be 
switched on at all times, even with the 
SmartKey removed from the starter 
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on 
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is 
located on the upper part of the center 
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher 
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.Switching off hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1 
again.
iWith the hazard warning flasher 
activated and the combination switch 
set for either left or right turn, only the 
respective turn signals will operate 
when the ignition is switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been 
activated automatically, press hazard 
warning flasher switch1 once to 
switch it off. 
     
        
        Page 120 of 442
118 Controls in detailInstrument clusterCoolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is on the 
left side in the instrument cluster 
(page 24).During severe operating conditions, e.g. 
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature above 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly 
overheated can cause some fluids which 
may have leaked into the engine 
compartment to catch fire. You could be 
seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the hood. Stay away from 
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until the 
engine has cooled down. 
     
        
        Page 121 of 442

119 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip 
odometer and main odometer in the 
multifunction display (
page 121).
If it is not displayed, press buttonè 
orÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the trip odometer appears 
(page 122).
Press and hold the reset button in the 
instrument cluster (
page 117) until 
the trip odometer is reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer 
(page 24) denotes excessive engine 
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply 
is interrupted if the engine is operated 
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
!Avoid driving at excessive engine 
speeds, as it may result in serious 
engine damage that is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and 
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy, 
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.