Page 34 of 491

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Get in the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 102).
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*
With KEYLESS-GO your can open your
vehicle without using the buttons on the
SmartKey.
Pull the outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
An acoustic signal sounds once (if
equipped and feature activated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 110).
The locking knobs in the doors
move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Get in the vehicle.
For more information, see “SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 107).
iThe SBC brake system is activated.iTo unlock the vehicle, the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO must be outside the
vehicle, no further than approximately
3 feet (1 meter) away from the door.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iThe SBC brake system is activated.
Page 35 of 491

34 Getting startedUnlockingStarter switch positions SmartKey
Starter switch0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (expect low beam headlamp
indicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) in the
instrument cluster come on. If a lamp
in the instrument cluster fails to come
on when the ignition is switched on,
have it checked and replaced if neces-
sary. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
remains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 352).
3Starting position
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. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Page 36 of 491

35 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine
using the SmartKey, see “Starting the en-
gine” (
page 47).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton on the gear selector lever corresponds
to turning the SmartKey to the various
starter switch positions.
If you firmly depress the brake pedal dur-
ing pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the engine starts automatically.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator and warning lamps (expect low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. This indicates that the respective
systems are operational. The indicator
and warning lamps (expect low beam
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn sig-
nal indicator lamps if activated) should
go out when the engine is running.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in position P.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the starter battery may
not be sufficiently charged.
Check the battery and charge it
if necessary (
page 408).
Get a jump start (
page 428).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge or a completely discharged bat-
tery, always remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch when the engine is
not in operation.
iThe function of the SmartKey overrules
the KEYLESS-GO function.
Page 37 of 491

36 Getting startedUnlockingKEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button, the vehicle's on-board elec-
tronics have status 0 (as with SmartKey
removed).
Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or position 2)
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
twice.
This supplies power to all electrical
consumers. All lamps in the instrument
cluster (expect low beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) come on. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster fails to
come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if nec-
essary. If a lamp in the instrument clus-
ter remains on after starting the engine
or comes on while driving, see “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 352).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button
once again, the ignition (position2)
is switched on.
twice, the power supply is again
switched off.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power sup-
ply is again switched off.
Page 38 of 491
37 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(page 48).iWhen you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator and warning lamps (expect low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. This indicates that the respective
systems are operational. The indicator
and warning lamps (expect low beam
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn sig-
nal indicator lamps if activated) should
go out when the engine is running.
Page 39 of 491

38 Getting startedAdjustingSeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer
is in a nearly upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 44).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the start-
er switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open. Therefore, do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and / or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats. Re-
gardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 73).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Page 41 of 491

40 Getting startedAdjustingHead restraint height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.Head restraint tilt
Manually adjust the angle of the head re-
straint.
Push or pull on the lower edge of the
head restraint cushion.
For more information on seats, see the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 124).
Steering wheel
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.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as possi-
ble.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock your vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the start-
er switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the steering wheel adjustment feature can
be operated when the driver’s door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and / or seri-
ous personal injury.
Page 48 of 491

47 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 183). Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off en-
gine” (
page 57).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 34).
Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness 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 win-
dow fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.