Page 26 of 506

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal indi-
cator lamp
51
2
vESP warning lamp
358
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
133
5
lDistance warning 
lamp
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates with the 
ignition on. It should go out 
when the engine is running.
6
KRight turn signal indi-
cator lamp
51
7
Coolant temperature indi-
cator with:
131
•Coolant temperature 
warning lamp
357,
377
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:
132
1Supplemental 
restraint system 
indicator lamp
360,
388
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) warning 
lamp
354
359,
388
BLow beam headlamp 
indicator lamp
126
AHigh beam headlamp 
indicator lamp
126
9
Main odometer with:
Gear selector lever posi-
tion 
133
Program mode 
133
Item
Page
a
Clock with:
147
;Brake warning lamp, 
USA only
355
3Brake warning lamp, 
Canada onlyúEngine malfunction 
indicator lamp, 
USA only
356
±Engine malfunction 
indicator lamp, 
Canada only
356
CRoll bar warning lamp
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warning 
lamp
359
c
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
130
Adjusting instrument 
cluster illumination
130
Confirming new time set-
tings
147 
     
        
        Page 50 of 506

49 Getting started
Driving
Parking brake 
1Parking brake release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Release the parking brake by pulling on 
handle1.
The indicator lamp ; (USA only) 
or3 (Canada only) in the clock 
goes out.Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever in 
positionDorR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator 
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages and 
the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. 
This allows the catalytic converter to reach 
its operating temperature earlier.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
from the starter switch, take it with you, and 
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an 
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the 
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious personal injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the 
inside. Open door only when conditions 
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic 
locking using the control system 
(page 155).
!If you hear a warning signal and the 
message 
Parking brake Release 
brake!
 appears in the multifunction 
display when driving off, you have for-
gotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake. 
     
        
        Page 72 of 506

71 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Roll bars
The roll bars are integrated into the rear 
head restraints.
The roll bars raise automatically in an acci-
dent or in a critical driving situation.You can manually lower the roll bars again 
when the soft top is open (
page 402). 
With the soft top closed, contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center to have the 
roll bars lowered. Do not attempt to lower 
the roll bars manually with the soft top 
closed. Lowering the roll bars manually 
with the soft top closed may impair the 
function of the roll bars.
Warning!
G
Make sure nothing is blocking the roll bars’ 
path of motion. Otherwise someone could 
be injured when the roll bars are raised. The 
head restraints should therefore always be 
in the raised position when the rear seat is 
occupied (
page 115).
iWhen the roll bars are raised automati-
cally, you will hear a ratcheting sound 
and the rear head restraints will also 
rise.
iYou cannot lower the rear head 
restraints with the rear head restraint 
lowering switch (
page 115) when the 
roll bars are in the raised position.
Also, you cannot operate the soft top 
using the soft top switch when the roll 
bars are in the raised position.
If the soft top is open, you can man-
ually lower the roll bars 
(page 402).
If the soft top is closed, contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
to have the roll bars lowered.
Warning!
G
If the yellow roll bar warning lamp  in 
the clock does not go out after starting the 
engine, or if it comes on while driving, then 
the roll bar system is not operating properly 
and may not activate in an accident. In this 
case, raise the roll bars manually before 
continuing to drive (
page 401).
For safety reasons, drive only with the roll 
bars raised until the malfunction is repaired. 
Have your vehicle checked at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
     
        
        Page 131 of 506
130 Controls in detailInstrument clusterFor a full view illustration of the instrument 
cluster, see “Instrument cluster” 
(page 24).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when 
you
open a door
switch on the ignition (
page 36)
press reset button1
switch on the exterior lamps
You can change the instrument cluster 
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu 
of the control system (
page 145).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset button1 to adjust the 
illumination brightness for the instrument 
cluster.To brighten illumination
Turn reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
dim.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is 
dimmed or brightened automatically to 
suit ambient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
also be adjusted automatically when 
you switch on the vehicle’s exterior 
lamps. 
     
        
        Page 149 of 506
148 Controls in detailControl system
Move the selection marker with 
buttonæ orç to the 
Time
/Date 
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until the message 
Clock, hours 
Confirm by press. R
 appears in the 
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the hour 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to set the 
hour.
Press the reset button in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 130) to confirm.
The hour is set and stored.Setting time (minutes)
This function can only be seen in vehicles 
with audio system.
iVehicles with COMAND*:
For information on setting the time in 
COMAND, refer to the separate 
COMAND operating instructions.
 
     
        
        Page 150 of 506
149 Controls in detail
Control system
Move the selection marker with 
buttonæ orç to the 
Time/Date
 
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until the message 
Clock, minutes 
Confirm by press. R
 appears in the 
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the minutes 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to set the 
minutes.
Press the reset button in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 130) to confirm.
The minutes are set and stored.Setting the date (month)
This function can only be seen in vehicles 
with audio system.
Move the selection marker with 
buttonæ orç to the 
Time/Date
 
submenu.
iVehicles with COMAND*:
For information on setting the date in 
COMAND, refer to the separate 
COMAND operating instructions.
 
     
        
        Page 303 of 506

302 OperationAt the gas stationRefueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the 
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the 
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with 
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks/un-
locks the fuel filler flap.1To open the fuel filler flap
2To insert the fuel filler cap
Turn the engine off
by turning the SmartKey to 
position0. Remove the SmartKey 
from the starter switch. 
by pressing the KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button. Open the driv-
er’s door (with driver’s door open, 
starter switch is now in position0, 
same as with SmartKey removed 
from starter switch).
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at 
the point indicated by the arrow1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap counterclockwise and 
hold on to it until possible pressure is 
released.
Take off cap and set it in direction of 
arrow2 in the recess on the fuel filler 
flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping 
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle 
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle 
unit cuts out – do not top up or 
overfill.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. 
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid 
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish 
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks, 
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
Failure to remove the fuel cap slowly could 
result in personal injury. 
     
        
        Page 304 of 506
303 Operation
At the gas station
Replace fuel cap by turning it 
clockwise.
You will hear when fuel cap is 
tightened.
Close fuel filler flap.Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create 
pressure in the system which could cause a 
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to 
spray back out when removing the fuel 
pump nozzle, which could cause personal 
injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline 
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating 
of 91  (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can 
normally be found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see 
“Premium unleaded gasoline” 
(page 456) or the Factory Approved 
Service Products pamphlet.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel 
cap open can cause theú malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (USA only) or 
the± malfunction indicator lamp 
(Canada only) to illuminate.
More information can be found in the 
“Practical hints” section (
page 356).