
439 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up 
during braking so that the vehicle can 
continue to be steered.
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system 
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to 
various driving situations.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The alignment 
bolt, or centering bolt, is an aid used 
when changing a tire to align the wheel 
with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM1
 airbag deactivation 
system
This system detects if a special system 
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The 
system will automatically deactivate 
the passenger front airbag when such a 
seat is properly installed (indicator 
lamp 7 on the glove box comes on). 
BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children. 
The sensor system for the passenger 
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM 
compatible child seat is installed. See 
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
for availability.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking 
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it 
senses an emergency based on how 
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as 
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps. 
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low 
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide 
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
1BabySmart
TM 
 is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp. 

441 Technical terms
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal 
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat 
belts. 
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction 
display that informs the driver when 
the next vehicle maintenance service is 
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to 
the automatic transmission for shifting. 
The automatic gear shifting process 
can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying 
geographic location information to and 
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for 
navigation.
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags 
protect occupants during side impact 
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags, 
head-thorax airbags are also designed 
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning 
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer, 
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the 
vehicle without the use of a key. Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the 
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear. 
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal 
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates 
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down 
on an individual door from inside will 
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the 
multifunction display that informs the 
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance 
system tracks distance driven and teh 
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls 
for the next service accordingly. 

443 Technical terms
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat 
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Retractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and 
closed at the push of a button and 
stored in the trunk.
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which 
consists of tubular steel sheathed in 
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the 
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may 
also be manually raised and lowered by 
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.RON
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized 
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both 
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and 
RON (Research Octane Number) is 
posted at the pump, also known as 
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
SBC 
(S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol) 
Electronically controlled hydraulic 
braking system for increased braking 
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock 
prevents the gear selector lever from 
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and 
brake pedal depressed. SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent 
systems, they are closely interfaced to 
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three 
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance 
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber 
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call. 
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is 
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is 
available. 

446 IndexAir conditioner refrigerant 433
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 191
Turning on 191
Air pressure 305
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 373
Turning on 398
Air recirculation mode 187
Air volume adjustment 185
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 334
Airbags 63
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 68, 69
Kneebag 68
Passenger 68Alarm
Audible 78, 88
Canceling 90
Visual 88
Alignment bolt 439
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 396
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 432, 437
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Arming 89
Canceling the alarm 90
Disarming 89
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Tow-away alarm 90
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment 229
Ashtray 29, 233
Aspect ratio 305
At the gas station 267
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 275Automatic climate control 29, 182
Center air vents 29
Deactivating 191
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 29
Temperature sensor 31
Automatic shift program 170
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 170
Emergency operation (Limp Home 
Mode) 177
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 30, 164
Gear selector lever position 164, 168
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 166
One-touch gearshifting 166
Program mode selector switch 30, 
170
Transmission fluid 275 

447 Index
B
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system 76, 439
BabySmartTM compatible child 
seats 439
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 116
Shoulder region 116
Backrest tilt 40
Backup lamp bulbs 381
Backup lamps 385
Bar 305
BAS 79, 81, 439
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 377
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 378
Check lamp 105
Batteries, vehicle 277
Charging 404
Disconnecting 403
For electrical consumers 277, 373, 
401For starter 277, 401
Messages in display 345, 346
Reconnecting 405
Removing 404
Service 401
Battery
For electrical consumers 373
Bead 305
Bi-Xenon* 439
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 439
Block heater 310
Brake fluid 269, 431, 433
Brake lamp bulb, high mounted 381
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 381
Brake pads
Message in display 346
Brake system
Messages in display 350
Brakes 256
High-performance brake system (SL 65 
AMG only) 258
Warning lamp 326Break-in period 254
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 385
Brake lamps 381
Front lamps 380, 383
License plate lamps 385
Parking lamps 384
Rear fog lamp 385
Standing lamps 384
Tail lamp assemblies 385
Turn signal lamps, front 383
Turn signal lamps, rear 385
C
CAC see Customer Assistance Center
CAN System 440
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 431
Catalytic converter 265
CD player
Operating 141 

448 IndexCenter air vents 29
Center console
Lower part 30
Upper part 29
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 148
Central locking
Automatic 110
Central locking switch 111
Switching on/off (control 
system) 156
Unlocking from inside 111
Central locking switch 29
Central unlocking switch 29
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*) 378
Batteries (SmartKey) 377
SmartKey setting 96
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
settings 103
Vehicle level 222Charging
Vehicle batteries 404
CHECK ENGINE
Messages in display 351
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator 
lamp 27, 327, 328
Checking
Coolant level 276
Oil level 269, 272
Tire inflate pressure 269
Vehicle lighting 269
Child safety
Airbags 64
Automatic child seat recognition 76
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Cigarette lighter 29, 233
Cleaning
Cup holder 320
Gear selector lever 320
Hard plastic trim items 320
Headlamps 178Headliner 320
Leather upholstery 321
Plastic and rubber parts 321
Seat belts 320
Steering wheel 320
Upholstery 321
Windshield 53
Wood trims 321
Cleaning tires 281
Clock 23
Closing
Hood 271
Power window with 
KEYLESS-GO* 195
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 201
Retractable hardtop (switch) 198
Side windows 194, 195
Sunshade 204
Trunk lid 109
Windows 193
Windows with KEYLESS-GO* 195 

452 IndexEmission control 265
Emission control label 418
Engine
Compartment 270
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Starting with the SmartKey 48
Turning off 58
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Turning off with the SmartKey 58
Engine number 440
Engine oil 272, 433
Adding 274
Additives 433
Checking level 272
Consumption 272
Display messages 355
Filler neck 274
Messages in display 273
Engine oil level see Oil levelESP 79, 82, 440
Control switch 30
Switching off 83
Switching on 84
Synchronizing 341
Warning lamp 82
ESP/ABS warning lamp 25
ETD see Emergency Tensioning Device
Express-close front side windows 195
Express-open front side windows 194
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 148
Fastening the seat belts 45
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 208
First aid kit 372
Flat tire 388
Spare wheel 393
TIREFIT kit 388Flexible Service System (FSS), Canada 
only 312, 441
Fluid level 275
Fog lamp, rear 127, 381
Replacing bulb 385
Fog lamps 127
Fog lamps, front 127
Replacing bulbs 381
Front airbags 68
Front lamps 381
Replacing bulbs 383
FSS (Flexible Service System, Canada 
only) 312, 441
Fuel 267
Additives 435
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 330
Gasoline additives 435
Premium unleaded gasoline 268, 
432, 434
Requirements 434
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 159
Since reset 160 

453 Index
Fuel filler flap 267
Locking 267
Opening 267
Unlocking 267
Fuel requirements 434
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 357
Fuel tank
Filler flap 267
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - 
capacities 431
Functions (control system) 136
Fuse chart 412
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 412
Fuse chart 412
Fuse extractor 412
Main fuse box 412
Spare fuses 412G
Garage door opener 31, 246
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 305
Gear range
Automatic transmission 167
Indicator 27
Limiting 167
Shifting into optimal 166
Gear range limit
Canceling 166
Gear selector lever 30, 164
Cleaning 320
Lock 48, 443
Position (Automatic 
transmission) 164, 168
Glove box 23, 228
GPS 441
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 305
GVWR 306H
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 320
Hardtop open/close control 30
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hardtop switch 197
Hazard warning flasher 128
Hazard warning flasher switch 29
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed 
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 124
Headlamp cleaning system 178, 278
Manual mode 124
Refilling washer fluid 278
Headliner
Cleaning 320
Head-thorax airbag 76, 441
Heated steering wheel* 234