Page 16 of 491

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this 
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified 
with an asterisk. Since standard 
equipment varies between models, 
the descriptions and illustrations in 
this manual may differ slightly from 
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for 
you to follow. 
A number of these symbols appearing 
in succession indicates a multiple-step 
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to 
look for further information on a 
topic.
This continuation symbol marks 
an interrupted procedure which 
will be continued on the next 
page.
-> In the glossary of technical 
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term 
definitions. 
DISPLAY
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in 
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life, 
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in 
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you 
may find useful. 
     
        
        Page 59 of 491

58 Getting startedParking and locking
After exiting the vehicle press the lock 
button‹ on the SmartKey 
(page 32).
All turn signal lamps flash three 
times.
An acoustic signal sounds three 
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).
For more information, see “Factory 
setting” (
page 104).
The locking knobs in the doors 
move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
armed.For more information, see the “Controls in 
detail” section (
page 102).
iWith the SmartKey removed and the 
driver’s door open, a warning sounds 
and the message 
Switch off lights 
appears in the multifunction display if 
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not 
switched off.Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always 
keep hands and fingers away from the door 
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are 
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there 
is no possibility of someone getting caught 
in a door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it 
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave 
children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle may cause an accident 
and/or serious personal injury.
 
     
        
        Page 60 of 491

59 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 
Place the gear selector lever inP.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton to shut off the engine.
With the driver's door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the 
driver’s door opened, the starter switch 
is set to position0, same as SmartKey 
removed from starter switch 
(page 34).
Press the seat belt release button 
(page 45).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch 
plate.
!If you hear a warning signal, you have 
either
forgotten to switch off the vehicle’s 
exterior lamps before opening the 
driver’s door,
or
tried to turn off the engine while the 
gear selector lever is not inP.
Turn off the lights or place the gear se-
lector lever inP.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always 
keep hands and fingers away from the door 
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are 
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there 
is no possibility of someone getting caught 
in a door during closing.
 
     
        
        Page 63 of 491

62 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyIn this section you will learn the most 
important facts about the restraint system 
components of the vehicle.
Seat belts (
page 69)
Child restraints (
page 73)
Lower anchors and tethers for children 
(LATCH) (
page 83)
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with
Air bags (
page 63)
Air bag control unit (with crash 
sensors) 
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) for 
seat belts (
page 72)Air bag system components with
75indicator lamp 
(page 80) 
Front passenger seat with Occupant 
Classification System (OCS) 
(page 76) 
As independent systems, their protective 
functions work in conjunction with each 
other. The SRS system conducts a self-test when 
the ignition is switched on and in regular 
intervals while the engine is running. This 
facilitates early detection of malfunctions. 
The 
1
indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the ignition is 
switched on and goes out no later than a 
few seconds after the engine has been 
started.
The SRS components are in operational 
readiness if the 
1
indicator lamp is not 
lit when the engine is running.
A malfunction in the system has been 
detected if the 
1
indicator lamp:
fails to go out after approximately 
four seconds after the engine was 
started
does not come on at all
comes on after the engine was started 
or while driving
iFor information on infants and children 
traveling with you in the vehicle and 
restraint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle” 
(page 73).  
     
        
        Page 143 of 491

142 Controls in detailLightingManual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking 
lamps can be switched on and off with the 
exterior lamp switch. 
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off 
automatically depending on the brightness 
of the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn exterior lamp switch to 
positionU.
With the SmartKey in the starter switch 
position1 or the KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button pressed once, only 
the parking lamps will switch on and off 
automatically.
When the engine is running, the low 
beam headlamps, the tail and parking 
lamps, the licence plate lamps and the 
side marker lamps will switch on and 
off automatically.
iWith the SmartKey removed from the 
starter switch or the engine turned off 
with KEYLESS-GO* and the driver’s 
door open, a warning sounds if the 
parking lamps or low beam headlamps 
are switched on.
The message 
Switch off lamps
 ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from 
oncoming traffic. 
the headlamps will not be automatically 
switched on under foggy conditions. 
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp 
switch toB when driving or when traffic 
and / or ambient lighting conditions require 
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only 
switch from positionU toB with the 
vehicle at a standstill. Switching fromU 
toB will briefly switch off the head-
lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient 
lighting conditions may result in an acci-
dent.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an 
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for 
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all 
times. 
     
        
        Page 149 of 491
148 Controls in detailLightingManual control
Front interior lighting
Press front interior lighting switch4.
The front interior lighting switches on.
Press front interior lighting switch4 
again.
The front interior lighting switches off.
Rear interior lighting
Press button2.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go on.
Press button2 again.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go out.Front reading lamps
The front reading lamps are located in the 
lower edge of the interior rear view mirror.
Press front reading lamp switch1 
or5 to switch on the desired front 
reading lamp.
Press front reading lamp switch1 
or5 again to switch off the respective 
front reading lamp.
iThe setting selected for the interior 
lighting is used for the cargo compart-
ment as well.
If the tailgate remains open, the cargo 
compartment lamp switches off auto-
matically after approximately ten min-
utes. 
     
        
        Page 191 of 491

190 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionStopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine 
idling or on an uphill gradient:
Move the gear selector lever to 
positionP.
Set the parking brake.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas, 
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicleEmergency operation 
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the 
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp 
home (emergency operation) mode. In this 
mode only second gear and reverse gear 
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Move gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least ten seconds before 
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to positionD 
(for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the 
parking brake and move gear selector lever 
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could 
roll away. 
     
        
        Page 389 of 491

388 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
. 
Low beam,
right
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Front Marker light
,
left
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front Marker light,
right
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Fr. Park. lamp, left
The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. 
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Fr. Park. lamp, right
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglamp
Substitute bulb on
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning. A 
substitute bulb is being used. 
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lamps
Lamps have been turned on although the 
SmartKey in the starter switch is in posi-
tion 0.
Switch off the headlights.