ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Air bags .......................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Children in the vehicle .................... 73
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 84
Panic alarm .......................................... 86
Activating ....................................... 86
Deactivating ................................... 86
Driving safety systems ......................... 87
ABS ................................................ 87
BAS ................................................ 89
ESP ................................................. 89
SBC brake system .......................... 92
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 95
Anti-theft systems................................ 97
Immobilizer..................................... 97
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 98
Tow-away alarm ............................. 99
Controls in detail............................. 101
Locking and unlocking ....................... 102
SmartKey ..................................... 102
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 107
Opening the doors from the inside 114
Opening the tailgate ..................... 115
Closing the tailgate ...................... 117
Automatic central locking ............ 122
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 122
Seats ................................................. 124
Easy-entry / exit feature ............... 124
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ..................... 126
Rear seat head restraints ............. 127
Drive - Dynamic seat* with
multicontour features................... 130
Seat heating* ............................... 132
Seat ventilation* .......................... 133
Folding bench seat in cargo
compartment ............................... 134Memory function ............................... 138
Storing positions in memory ........ 139
Recalling positions from memory . 139
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 140
Lighting ............................................. 141
Exterior lamp switch .................... 141
Combination switch ..................... 145
Hazard warning flasher ................ 146
Interior lighting ............................ 147
Door entry lamps ......................... 149
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 149
Instrument cluster ............................. 150
Instrument cluster illumination .... 150
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 151
Trip odometer .............................. 151
Tachometer .................................. 152
Outside temperature indicator ..... 152
ContentsDriving systems ................................. 228
Cruise control............................... 228
Distronic*..................................... 232
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 244
Loading .............................................. 247
Split rear bench seat .................... 247
Expanding the cargo
compartment................................ 249
Loading instructions ..................... 250
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 251
Cargo management system*
(Canada only) ............................... 252
Storage box in cargo
compartment (Canada only) ......... 255
Twin roller blind ............................ 256
Useful features .................................. 259
Storage compartments................. 259
Cup holders .................................. 262
Ashtrays ....................................... 265
Cigarette lighter ........................... 266
12-V socket* ................................ 266
Heated steering wheel* ............... 267
Floormats ..................................... 268
Telephone*................................... 268
Tele Aid* ...................................... 269
Garage door opener ..................... 277
Operation......................................... 283
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 284
Driving instructions............................ 285
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 285
Drinking and driving ..................... 285
Pedals .......................................... 285
Power assistance ......................... 286
Brakes .......................................... 286
Driving off .................................... 288
Parking ......................................... 288
Tires ............................................. 288
Hydroplaning ................................ 289
Tire traction.................................. 290
Tire speed rating .......................... 290
Winter driving instructions ........... 291
Standing water ............................. 292
Passenger compartment .............. 293
Driving abroad.............................. 293
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 293
Catalytic converter ....................... 294
Emission control .......................... 294
Coolant temperature .................... 295At the gas station .............................. 296
Refueling ...................................... 296
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 297
Engine compartment ......................... 299
Hood ............................................ 299
Engine oil ..................................... 300
Transmission fluid level ................ 303
Coolant level ................................ 303
Battery ......................................... 305
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 306
Tires and wheels................................ 307
Important guidelines .................... 307
Tire care and maintenance........... 308
Direction of rotation..................... 310
Loading the vehicle ...................... 310
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 316
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 318
Tire labeling ................................. 323
Load identification ....................... 327
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 327
Maximum tire load ....................... 329
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 329
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal indica-
tor lamp
2
vABS/ ESP warning
lamp
353
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
153
5
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
357
6
KRight turn signal indi-
cator lamp
7
Coolant temperature dis-
play with:•Coolant temperature
warning lamp
356
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
359
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
352
BLow beam headlamp
indicator
51
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
145
9
Main odometer with:
Selector lever position
47
Program mode
188
a
Clock with:
167
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
354
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
354
Item
Page
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA
only
355
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
355
HTire pressure warning
lamp*
358
390
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warning
lamp
357
c
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
151
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
150
Confirming new time set-
tings
167
55 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 303).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
151 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature indicator
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 153).
If it is not displayed, press the è or
ÿ repeatedly until the trip odome-
ter appears.
Press and hold the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 24) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is 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.
iExcessive coolant temperature trigger
a warning in the multifunction display
(page 356).
207 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Residual heat and ventilation*
(available on climate control panel de-sign A only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0or1, or remove it from
the starter switch.
Press buttonT (
page 198).
The indicator lamp on button comes
on.Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 198).
The indicator lamp on button goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.
219 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control*
Residual heat and ventilation (available
on 4-zone automatic climate control panel design A only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 or1, or remove it from
the starter switch.
Press buttonT(
page 210).
REST in the display comes on.
Deactivating
Press buttonT(
page 210).
REST in the display goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
Rear air conditioning
1Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Thumbwheel for air volume control for
right rear center air vent
4Temperature rocker switch, right
5Display
6Temperature rocker switch, left
7Thumbwheel for air volume control for
left rear center air vent
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.
295 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature 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 en-
gine 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 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 at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.