Page 30 of 506
28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
268
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button
35
3
Selector lever for 
automatic transmission
46,
178
4
Parking assist (Parktronic 
system)* deactivation 
switch
250
5
Adaptive damping system 
(ADS)* switch
247
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control 
switch*
248
7
Thumbwheel for setting 
distance in Distronic*
242
8
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
243
9
Program mode selector 
switch for automatic trans-
mission
179 
     
        
        Page 37 of 506

35 Getting started
Unlocking
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 KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton, the engine starts automatically.
KEYLESS-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 re-
moved).Position 1 
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
once.
This supplies power to some electrical 
consumers, such as seat adjustment.
iThe function of the SmartKey overrules 
the KEYLESS-GO function.
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. 
     
        
        Page 38 of 506

36 Getting startedUnlockingIgnition (or position 2)
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
twice.
This supplies power to all electrical 
consumers. All lamps (except low 
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high 
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and 
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come 
on. If a lamp in the instrument cluster 
fails to come on when the ignition is 
switched on, have it checked and re-
placed if necessary. If a lamp in the in-
strument cluster remains on after 
starting the engine or comes on while 
driving, see “Lamps in instrument clus-
ter” (
page 356).For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button, 
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*” 
(
page 47).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button once, the power sup-
ply is again switched off.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator and warning lamps (except 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 (except 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 506

47 Getting started
Driving
Diesel engine:
M a k e  s u r e  t h e  g e a r  s e l e c t o r  l e v e r  i s  s e t  
to P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position2 (
page 34).
The preglow indicator lampq in the 
instrument cluster comes on.
As soon as the preglow indicator 
lampq goes out, turn the SmartKey 
in the starter switch to position3 
(page 34) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.Starting 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 57).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be 
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada onlyGasoline engine:
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 
button1 once.
The engine starts automatically if the 
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the 
vehicle.
Diesel engine:
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 
button1 once.
iIf the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, the preglow indicator lampq 
may not stay on and you can start the 
engine without preglowing.
 
     
        
        Page 50 of 506

48 Getting startedDriving
The engine begins to preglow and will 
start automatically.
If the engine is at operating temperature, 
the preglow indicator lampq may not 
stay on and you can start the engine with-
out preglowing:
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop 
button1 until the engine is running.Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described, 
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the 
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter 
switch to position0 and repeat starting 
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with 
KEYLESS-GO: Close any doors that 
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO.
Or:
Start the engine with the SmartKey as 
radio signals from another source may 
be interfering with the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO.
Repeat the starting procedure 
(page 46). Remember that extended 
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (
page 436).If the engine does not start after several 
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the 
fuel supply system.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
Parking brake 
1Parking brake pedal
2Parking brake release handle
 
     
        
        Page 55 of 506

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 
     
        
        Page 56 of 506
54 Getting startedDrivingThe 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 308).
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 506

55 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive. 
You have properly stopped and parked 
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake1.
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 ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
from the starter switch, take it with you and 
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an 
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the 
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which 
could result in an accident and/or serious 
injury.