Page 89 of 491

88 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBraking
If the ABS activates during braking, the 
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster dial flashes. Because of the 
SBC brake system, you will not feel any 
pulsation in the brake pedal.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the 
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure 
yields the advantages provided by the ABS, 
namely braking power and the ability to 
steer the vehicle.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v flashes 
whenever the ABS is activated which can 
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take 
extra care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the 
brake pedal.
For more information, see the “Practical 
hints” section (
page 353).
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS 
and the ESP are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels 
may lock during hard braking, reducing 
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of 
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can 
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the 
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents, 
including those resulting from excessive 
speed in turns, following another vehicle too 
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped 
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of 
others. 
     
        
        Page 125 of 491

124 Controls in detailSeatsFor more information on seat adjustment, 
see the “Getting started” section 
(page 39).
Easy-entry / exit feature
This feature allows for easier entry into and 
exit from the vehicle.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activat-
ed or deactivated in the 
Convenience
 sub-
menu of the control system (
page 175).When exiting the vehicle, with the 
easy-entry/exit feature activated and 
depending on your selection, the steering 
wheel tilts upwards and/or the driver’s 
seat moves a few inches to the rear when 
you:
remove the SmartKey from the starter 
switch,
or 
open the driver’s door with the 
SmartKey in starter switch position 0 
or 1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button (
page 36) in position 1.
Warning!
G
You must make sure that no one can be-
come trapped or injured by the moving 
steering wheel and driver’s seat when the 
easy-entry / exit feature is activated. 
To cancel seat / steering wheel movement, 
do one of the following:
Press seat adjustment switch 
(page 30).
Move steering column stalk 
(page 41).
Press one of the memory buttons 
(page 30).
The steering wheel and driver’s seat stop 
moving.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could open the driver's door and 
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit 
feature, which could result in an accident 
and/or serious personal injury. 
     
        
        Page 126 of 491

125 Controls in detailSeats
When entering the vehicle, with the 
easy-entry/exit feature activated, the 
steering wheel or, depending on your 
selection, the steering wheel and driver’s 
seat will return to their last set position or 
a factory-set maximum forward position 
when you:
close the driver’s door, and switch on 
the ignition.
or 
insert the SmartKey into the starter 
switch or press KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button once with driver’s 
door closed.
iIf the current position for the steering 
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position, 
the steering wheel will no longer be 
able to move upward when the 
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
If the current seat position falls into a 
factory-set position range and the sys-
tem recognizes the current seat posi-
tion to be rearward enough for easy 
entry and exit, the driver’s seat will not 
move to the rear when the 
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
iFor safety reasons, the driver’s seat will 
not return to its last set position with 
the easy-entry/exit feature activated if 
the system recognizes the last set posi-
tion as an extreme forward position. 
Instead, the driver’s seat will remain at 
or move to a factory-set maximum 
forward position. To again fully return 
the driver’s seat to your last set posi-
tion or to memory position, adjust the 
seat to the desired position or press 
and hold the respective memory 
position switch (
page 139). 
     
        
        Page 139 of 491

138 Controls in detailMemory function
You can store up to three different settings 
for each SmartKey or SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are stored when 
using the buttons on the driver’s door:
Driver’s seat, backrest and head 
restraint position and settings for 
multicontour seat
Steering wheel position
Exterior rear view mirror positions
These SmartKey-dependent memory 
settings can be deactivated if desired. For 
information on SmartKey-dependent mem-
ory settings, see “Setting SmartKey-de-
pendency” (
page 176).
The following settings are not 
SmartKey-dependent. They are stored 
when using the buttons on the front pas-
senger door:
Front passenger seat, backrest and 
head restraint position and settings for 
multicontour seat
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er 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 63) for 
more information on proper seat posi-
tioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to 
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and 
outside rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed 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 140 of 491

139 Controls in detail
Memory function
The memory button and stored position 
button are located on the door.
MMemory button
1, 2, 3Stored positions
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
or
Open the respective door and insert 
the SmartKey in the starter switch.
Storing positions in memory
Adjust the seats, steering wheel and 
exterior rear view mirrors to the de-
sired position (
page 38).
Press memory buttonM.
Release memory button and press 
stored position button 1, 2 or 3 within 
three seconds.
All the settings are stored at the select-
ed position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold stored position 
button1, 2 or3 until the seat, steering 
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors 
have completely moved to the stored 
positions.!Do not operate the power seats using 
the memory button if the seat backrest 
is in an excessively reclined position. 
Doing so could cause damage to front 
or rear seats.iReleasing the stored position button 
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions immediately. 
     
        
        Page 142 of 491

141 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
For information on how to switch on the 
headlamps and use the turn signals, see 
the “Getting started” section (
page 51).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the 
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
MOff
Daytime running lamp mode 
(
page 170)
UAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode 
(page 170)CParking lamps (also tail lamps, 
license plate lamps, side marker 
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: 
When engine is running, the low 
beam is also switched on
BLow beam headlamps (or high 
beam headlamps when the combi-
nation switch is pushed forward) 
and parking lamps
ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one 
stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two 
stops)
¥Indicator lamp for front fog lamps
¨Indicator lamp for rear fog lamp
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles 
drive on the other side of the road than 
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps 
modified for symmetrical low beams. 
Relevant information can be obtained 
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 
     
        
        Page 154 of 491

153 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as 
the SmartKey in the starter switch is 
turned to position1 or as soon as the 
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* is in 
position1. The control system enables you 
to:
call up information about your vehicle
change vehicle settings.
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next 
due for service, to set the language for 
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to 
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
Above illustration shows the standard dis-
play. 
For more information on menus displayed 
in the multifunction display, see “Menus” 
(page 156).
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player) will appear in English, 
regardless of the language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic 
conditions must always be his / her primary 
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction 
steering wheel should only be done by the 
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is 
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 155 of 491

154 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system 
(page 153) are controlled by the buttons 
on the multifunction steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is 
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each 
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found 
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under 
Audio
, for example). These 
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your 
vehicle.
1
Multifunction display in the 
speedometerOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a calltto end a call
4
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display