
Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ...............................  10
Service and warranty information ..  10
Important notice for California 
retail buyers and lessees of 
Mercedes-Benz automobiles ..........  11
Maintenance ..................................  12
Roadside Assistance ......................  12
Change of address or ownership....  12
Operating your vehicle outside 
the USA or Canada.........................  13
Where to find it ....................................  14
Symbols ...............................................  15
Operating safety ..................................  16
Proper use of the vehicle ...............  16
Problems with your vehicle ..................  17
Reporting safety defects......................  18
Reporting Safety Defects ...............  18
Vehicle data recording.........................  19
Information regarding electronic 
recording devices...........................  19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30
Getting started...................................  31
Unlocking .............................................  32
Unlocking with the SmartKey .........  32
Starter switch positions ..................  33
Adjusting ..............................................  35
Seats ..............................................  35
Steering wheel ................................  39
Mirrors ............................................  41
Driving ..................................................  43
Fastening the seat belt ...................  43
Starting the engine .........................  46
Switching on headlamps .................  49
Turn signals ....................................  50
Windshield wipers ...........................  51
Problems while driving....................  53
Parking and locking ..............................  54
Parking brake .................................  54
Switching off headlamps.................  55
Turning off engine ...........................  56 

ContentsOperation.........................................  263
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) .........  264
Driving instructions ............................  265
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  265
Drinking and driving .....................  265
Pedals ..........................................  265
Power assistance .........................  265
Brakes ..........................................  266
Driving off.....................................  267
Parking .........................................  267
Tires .............................................  268
Hydroplaning ................................  268
Tire traction ..................................  269
Tire speed rating ..........................  269
Winter driving instructions ...........  270
Standing water .............................  271
Passenger compartment ..............  272
Driving abroad ..............................  272
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters..................................  272
Catalytic converter .......................  273
Emission control...........................  273
Coolant temperature ....................  274At the gas station ..............................  275
Refueling ......................................  275
Check regularly and before 
a long trip .....................................  277
Engine compartment .........................  278
Hood ............................................  278
Engine oil .....................................  279
Transmission fluid level ................  282
Coolant level ................................  283
Battery .........................................  284
Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system* .........  285
Tires and wheels ................................  286
Important guidelines ....................  286
Life of tire.....................................  287
Direction of rotation .....................  287
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  287
Rotating tires ...............................  289Winter driving ....................................  290
Winter tires ..................................  290
Block heater (Canada only) ..........  291
Snow chains.................................  291
Maintenance......................................  292
Clearing the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  293
Maintenance service term 
exceeded .....................................  293
Calling up the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  293
Resetting the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  294
Vehicle care.......................................  295
Cleaning and care of the 
vehicle .........................................  295 

54 Getting startedParking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive. 
You have properly stopped and parked 
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake pedal2.
When the engine is running, the 
warning lamp; (USA only) 
or3(Canada only) in the 
instrument cluster will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before 
removing the SmartKey from the starter 
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when 
the SmartKey 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 
vehicle.
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.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move the gear selector lever to 
positionP (manual transmission: first or 
reverse gear).
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front 
wheels towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position0 and remove the SmartKey 
from the starter switch.
Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle 
when leaving. 

266 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after 
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly 
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the 
vehicle with considerable force prior to 
parking. The heat generated serves to dry 
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only 
subject to moderate loads, you should 
occasionally test the effectiveness of the 
brakes by applying above-normal braking 
pressure at higher speeds. This will also 
enhance the grip of the brake pads. 
If the parking brake is released and the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster stays on, the brake fluid level in the 
reservoir is too low.Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may 
be the reason for low brake fluid in the 
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected 
immediately. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake 
system should be carried out by qualified 
technicians only. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid 
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time 
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components, 
the first braking action may be somewhat 
reduced and increased pedal pressure may 
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles 
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will 
cause excessive and premature wear of the 
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating, 
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the 
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other 
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake 
Assist System (BAS) (
page 78).
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake 
fluid is used, the braking properties of the 
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that 
safe braking is substantially impaired. This 
could result in an accident. 

411 Index
Consumer information 397
Control and operation 
of radio transmitters 272
Control system 121, 400
AUDIO menu 127
Convenience submenu 146
Display digital speedometer 127
Display outside temperature 127
Functions 122, 125
Instrument cluster 
submenu 135, 137
Lighting submenu 141
Menus 124, 125
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction steering wheel 122
NAV* menu 130
Selecting radio system 128
Selecting satellite radio* system 128
Settings menu 132
Standard display menu 126
Submenu Time/Date 137Submenus 123, 125
TEL* menu 150
Trip computer menu 148
Vehicle status 
message memory menu 130
Vehicle submenu 145
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Convenience submenu 146
Activating easy-entry/exit 
feature* 146
Setting key dependency 147
Setting parking position* for 
exterior rear view mirror 148
Coolant 283
Adding 283
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 
quantity 394
Capacities 387, 388
Checking level 283
Messages in display 316–318
Temperature 274
Temperature gauge 118Coolant level
Checking 277, 283
Coolant temperature gauge 25
Coolants 394
Cruise control 231, 400
Canceling 232
Driving downhill 232
Driving uphill 232
Fine adjustment 233
Message in display 319
Setting current speed 232
Setting speeds 233
Cruise control lever 231
Cruising range, fuel 393
Cup holder
In rear seat armrest 244
Cup holders
Cleaning 299
In front of seat armrest 243
Customer Assistance Center see CAC 

426 IndexRemote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 255
Removing
Ski sack* (Canada only) 237
Vehicle battery 361
Vehicle tool kit 
(C 55 AMG only) 330
Vehicle tool kit 
(except C 55 AMG) 329
Wheel 355
Wiper blades 352
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 351
Brake lamp bulbs 351
Bulbs 344
Fog lamp bulb, rear 351
Front lamp bulbs 345, 347
Fuses 369
High beam bulbs 348
High beam bulbs 
(xenon-type* headlamps) 349
License plate lamp bulbs 351
Low beam bulbs 347
Parking lamp bulbs, front 348, 350Parking lamp bulbs, rear 351
Rear lamp bulbs 345, 351
Side marker lamp bulbs, front 350
Side marker lamp bulbs, rear 351
Standing lamp bulbs, front 348, 350
Standing lamp bulbs, rear 351
Tail lamp bulbs 351
Turn signal lamp bulbs, 
front 348, 350
Turn signal lamp bulbs, 
rear 351
Wiper blades 352
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button in the 
instrument cluster 117, 132, 133
Resetting
All functions (control system) 132
All functions of a submenu 133
Fuel consumption 150
Maintenance service indicator 294
Trip odometer 119REST 402
Restraint system
Message in display 313
Restraint system see Infant and 
child restraint systems
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 155
Rims 380
Roadside Assistance 12
RON 276, 402
Roof rack* 234
Rubber parts
Cleaning 300
S
Safety
Occupant 58
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 77