ContentsPanorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel*..................................... 226
Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 226
Opening and closing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 227
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 229
Solar panel* ................................. 230
Driving systems ................................. 231
Cruise control............................... 231
Distronic*..................................... 235
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 247
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 250
Loading .............................................. 254
Roof rack* .................................... 254
Ski sack* ...................................... 254
Split rear bench seat* .................. 257
Expanding the cargo area* ........... 259
Loading instructions ..................... 260
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 261Useful features .................................. 262
Storage compartments ................ 262
Cup holders.................................. 265
Ashtrays ....................................... 268
Cigarette lighter ........................... 269
12-V socket* ................................ 269
Heated steering wheel* ............... 270
Telephone* .................................. 270
Tele Aid* ...................................... 271
Garage door opener ..................... 279
Operation......................................... 285
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 286
Driving instructions ........................... 287
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 287
Drinking and driving ..................... 287
Pedals .......................................... 287
Power assistance ......................... 288
Brakes.......................................... 288
Driving off .................................... 290
Parking......................................... 290
Tires ............................................. 290
Hydroplaning................................ 291
Tire traction ................................. 292
Tire speed rating .......................... 292
Winter driving instructions ........... 294
Standing water............................. 295
Passenger compartment .............. 295
Driving abroad ............................. 295
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 295
Catalytic converter
(Gasoline engine) ......................... 296
Oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine) 297
Emission control .......................... 297
Coolant temperature.................... 298
49 Getting started
Driving
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The warning lamp ; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
Move selector lever to positionDorR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages and the
locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter (gasoline
engine) or the oxidation catalyst (Diesel
engine) to reach its operating temperature
earlier.
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, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
!If you hear a warning signal and a mes-
sage appears in the multifunction dis-
play when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
53 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it
(Gasoline engine only).
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!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.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in combination switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
174 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionFor more information on driving with an au-
tomatic transmission, see the “Getting
started” section (
page 46).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionThe automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:
the gear selector lever positionD with
gear ranges (
page 177)
the selected program mode:
(C/S)(
page 179)
or
(M/C/S) (E 55 AMG only)
(
page 183)
the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 180)
the vehicle speed1Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S) or
(
M/C/S) appear in the multifunction dis-
play.
An additional indication of the current gear
selector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate.
The indicators come on when you activate
a switch (e.g. unlocking the vehicle or
opening a door) and go out after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or
the oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)
to reach its operating temperature ear-
lier.
296 OperationDriving instructionsTelephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Catalytic converter (Gasoline engine)
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat, which could po-
tentially start a fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.
306 OperationEngine compartment
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.
If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 387). Adding engine oil
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with Main-
tenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a list-
ing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet in your ve-
hicle literature portfolio, or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
307 Operation
Engine compartment
1Filler cap (Gasoline engine)1Filler cap (Diesel engine)
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 461) and
(
page 464).!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter (Gaso-
line engine) or oxidation catalyst (Die-
sel engine) not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
387 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 Qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 Liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 306) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 305).
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 306) and
check the engine oil level
(
page 305).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging:
the engine
the catalytic converter (Gasoline en-
gine)
the oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)
Have oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.