Page 29 of 491
28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
265
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button
36
3
Selector lever for automat-
ic transmission
47,
183
4
Adaptive damping system 
(ADS)* switch
244
Item
Page
5
Vehicle level control 
switch*
245
6
Thumbwheel for setting 
distance for Distronic*
239
7
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
240
8
Program mode selector for 
automatic transmission
188 
     
        
        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 49 of 491

48 Getting startedDrivingStarting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the 
SmartKey in the starter switch using the 
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the 
gear selector lever.
For information on turning off the engine 
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with 
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 59).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be 
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure the gear selector lever is set 
toP.
Depress the brake pedal during the 
starting procedure. Do not depress ac-
celerator.
The selector lever lock is released.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
once.
The engine starts automatically if the 
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the 
vehicle.
Warning!
G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO 
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started. 
Therefore, never leave children unattended 
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
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. 
     
        
        Page 54 of 491

53 Getting started
Driving
Intermittent wiping
Turn the combination switch to 
positionI.
Single wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of 
arrow1. 
The windshield wipers wipe one time 
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push switch in the direction of 
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with 
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer 
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system 
and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 306).
!Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when the vehicle is tak-
en to an automatic car wash or during 
windshield cleaning. Wipers will oper-
ate in the presence of water sprayed on 
the windshield, and wipers may be 
damaged as a result.
The combination switch should not be 
left in intermittent setting as the wipers 
will wipe the windshield once every 
time the engine is started. Dust that ac-
cumulates on the windshield might 
scratch the glass and / or damage the 
wiper blades when wiping occurs on a 
dry windshield.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when 
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front 
door is opened.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off 
immediately.
For safety reasons, 
turn off the engine by turning 
the SmartKey to position0 and 
withdraw SmartKey from starter 
switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing 
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button and open the driver’s 
door (with the driver’s door 
open, starter switch is in 
position0, same as with 
SmartKey removed from starter 
switch)
before attempting to remove any 
blockage. 
     
        
        Page 56 of 491

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. 
     
        
        Page 57 of 491

56 Getting startedParking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive. 
You have properly stopped and parked 
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp ; (USA only) or 3 
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster 
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no 
power assistance for the brake and steering 
systems. In this case, it is important to keep 
in mind that a considerably higher degree of 
effort is necessary to brake and steer the 
vehicle.
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. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or 
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children 
could release the parking brake and/or 
move the gear selector lever from 
positionP, either of which could result in an 
accident and/or serious injury.