274 OperationDriving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to
approximately 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
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.
295 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
298 OperationVehicle careWiper blades
Fold wiper arms forward.
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning
Fold wiper arms forward.
Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
using a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water.
Follow the instructions on container.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the wiper blades, otherwise
the wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the windshield, otherwise
the wiper motor might suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.
299 Operation
Vehicle care
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holders
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Headliner and rear window shelf
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Only use clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside should
not become wet.
Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
362 Practical hintsBatteryReconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover2.
Connect the battery negative lead.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 360).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be
carried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 137).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows
(page 226).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 230).
405 Index
A
ABS 77, 399
ABS control 77
Indicator lamp 25
Malfunction indicator lamp 302
Messages in display 310
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission* 163
Accident
In case of 53
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 181
Air recirculation mode 179
Anti-theft alarm system* 84
Central locking (control system) 145
Climate control 175
Climate control system 177
Defrosting 178
Easy-entry/exit feature* 146
Electric air pump 358
ESP 81Exterior headlamps 49
Exterior lamps 110
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 170
Hazard warning flasher 114
Headlamps 49
High beam headlamps 50
High beams 113
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 56, 83
Low beam headlamps 49
Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 166
Rear window defroster 173
Seat heating* 105
Tow-away alarm* 85
Windshield wipers 51
Adding
Coolant 283
Engine oil 281
Additional turn signals 345
Adjustable air vents,
rear passenger compartment 182Adjusting 35
Air distribution 178
Air volume 178
Backrest contour 104
Backrest side bolsters 104
Backrest tilt, manual seat 36
Backrest tilt, power seat* 38
Exterior rear view mirrors 41
Folding back rear seat
head restraints, electrical 102
Folding back rear seat
head restraints, manual 102
Head restraint height,
manual seat 37
Head restraint height,
power seat* 38
Head restraint height, rear seats 101
Head restraint tilt, manual seat 37
Head restraint tilt, power seat* 39
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 103
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 41
406 Index
Multicontour seat* 104
Placing upright rear seat
head restraints 102
Power seat* 38
Rear seat head restraints 101
Seat belt height 45
Seat cushion depth 104
Seat cushion tilt, manual seat 36
Seat cushion tilt, power seat* 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment,
manual seat 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment,
power seat* 38
Seat height, manual seat 36
Seat height, power seat* 38
Seats 35
Steering column height,
electrical* 41
Steering column height,
manual 40
Steering column length,
electrical* 41
Steering column length,
manual 40
Steering wheel 39Adjusting air distribution
and volume 178
Adjusting sound functions 187
Adjusting the volume 187
Aids for changing fuses 369
Air bags 59
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 70, 399
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64
Air conditioning (cooling) 181
Turning off 181
Turning on 181
Air conditioning refrigerant 390
Air distribution
Adjusting 178
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 358Air recirculation mode 179
Activating 179
Deactivating 180
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 182
Air volume
Adjusting 178
Alarm
Audible 76, 83
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft* 83
Tow-away* 85
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 355, 399
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 395
Antiglare
Automatic* 169
Manual 168
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system*
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 84
Disarming 84
408 Index
Starting with 47
Steering wheel gearshift control
(C 55 AMG only) 164
Transmission fluid 282
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 70, 399
Compatible child seats 70, 399
Self-test 70
Backrest
Folding forward 238
Folding rearward 238
Backrest contour
Adjusting 104
Backrest side bolsters
Adjusting 104
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 36
Power seat* 38
Backup lamps
Messages in display 323
Replacing bulbs 345BAS 78, 399
Messages in display 311
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 343
Check lamp 90
Checking 91
Battery discharged
Jump starting 363
Battery, vehicle 284, 360
Charging 361
Disconnecting 361
Reconnecting 362
Reinstalling 361
Removing 361
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 399
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 349
Block heater (Canada only) 291
Blocking
Rear door window operation 75
Bolts
For spare wheel 336Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 390
Checking 277
Message in display 315
Brake lamp bulbs 345
Brake lamp, high mounted 345
Brake lamps
Messages in display 323
Brake pads
Message in display 315
Brakes 266
Warning lamp 25, 303
Break-in period 264
Bulbs, replacing 344
Additional turn signals 345
Backup lamps 345, 351
Brake lamps 345, 351
Fog lamp, rear 345, 351
Fog lamps, front 345
Front lamps 345
High beam flasher 345
High beam headlamps 345