Page 86 of 417

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The SBC brake system is automatically ac-
tivated when you
unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey 
open the driver’s or passenger door
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position1
depress the brake pedal
release the parking brake
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake 
system, we recommend that the vehicle be 
transported with all wheels off the ground 
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly 
equipment. 
 A tow bar must be used if circumstances do 
not permit the use of the recommended 
towing methods and the vehicle requires 
towing with all four wheels on the ground. 
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on 
the ground is only permissible for distances 
u p  t o  3 0 m i l e s  ( 5 0 k m )  a n d  a t  a  s p e e d  n o t  t o  
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle” 
(page 357).
iIf the SBC brake system is activated as 
the brake pedal is first depressed, you 
may feel a reduced pedal resistance 
and longer pedal travel than normal. 
When releasing the pedal, you may also 
feel the brake pedal pulsate and you 
may hear a sound which is caused by 
the activation of the SBC pump. This is 
normal and not an indication of a mal-
function. Pedal travel returns to normal 
when you release the brake pedal and 
the sound soon ceases.
If you experience the above while driv-
ing and the red brake warning lamp 
(page 298) illuminates and/or warn-
ing messages appear in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 312), the brake 
system is malfunctioning. Follow the in-
structions of the warning message(s) 
and have the brake system checked 
immediately.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work 
on the SBC brake system carried out by 
qualified technicians only. Contact your 
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. The SBC brake system must be deacti-
vated prior to working on the system. High 
pressure is intermittently built up in the sys-
tem as part of its automatic self-test. In ad-
dition, the system is automatically activated 
when the vehicle is unlocked by remote con-
trol, when the driver or passenger door is 
opened, when the SmartKey in the starter 
switch is turned to position1, when the 
brake pedal is depressed or when the park-
ing brake is released. Failure to deactivate 
the system prior to maintenance will cause 
brake pistons to extend and brake fluid to 
leak, which may result in injuries (contu-
sions and acid burns). Extended brake 
pistons may also cause injury.  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 92 of 417

91 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming the alarm system
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times 
to indicate that the alarm system is 
activated. The indicator lamp in the 
central locking switch (
page 104) be-
gins to flash after arming the alarm 
system.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey. 
The turn signal lamps flash once to 
indicate that the alarm system is 
deactivated.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press theŒ or‹ button on the 
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter 
switch.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual 
and audible alarm will be triggered when 
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash 
three times, one of the following 
elements may not be properly closed:
a door
the trunk
the hood
Close the respective element and lock 
the vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if 
neither a door nor the trunk lid was 
opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is 
triggered, for example, if the vehicle is 
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than 
30 seconds, a call to the Response 
Center is initiated automatically by the 
Tele Aid system (
page 215) provided 
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and 
properly activated, and that necessary 
cellular service and GPS coverage are 
available. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 93 of 417
92 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically 
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm, 
switch off the tow-away alarm feature 
before towing the vehicle, or when parking 
on a surface subject to movement, such as 
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of 
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the 
SmartKey.
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes 
on briefly. 
Exit and lock your vehicle with the 
SmartKey. 
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed 
until you lock your vehicle again.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the 
tow-away protection disarms 
automatically. The tow-away alarm 
remains disarmed until you lock the 
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm 
while the ignition is switched on. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 150 of 417

149 Controls in detail
Audio system
You can select from among the 
following settings:
DRV
: The tone level is set to the 
Driver position; sound is directed 
toward the passengers.
SP: The tone level is set for Speech, 
optimizing the sound for the spoken 
word.
AMB
: The tone level is set for 
Ambience, producing a 
three-dimensional sound.
OFF
: The audio system sound 
selection is turned off.
Telephone muting
The radio will switch to telephone mode 
when a call is incoming. The current audio 
source is muted.
Radio operation
Selecting radio mode
Pressb button.
You can now receive radio stations 
over the analog FM, AM or WB station 
frequencies.
Analog station frequencies
Selecting the band
You can select from among FM, AM or WB 
frequency bands.
Weather band (
page 152).
Press FM, AM or WB key repeatedly un-
til desired band has been selected.The FM, AM and WB frequency bands 
are called up one after the other.
The frequency band currently selected 
appears in the upper left-hand corner 
of the display.
Selecting a station
The following options are available for 
selecting a station:
Direct frequency band input 
(page 150)
Manual tuning (
page 150)
Automatic seek tuning (
page 150)
Scan tuning (
page 151)
Preset buttons (
page 151)
Automatic station memory (Autostore) 
(page 151)
iFM frequency band:
FM 87.7......107.9 MHz
AM frequency band:
MW (medium wave) 530......1710 KHz 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 172 of 417

171 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever positions
Effect
ì
Park position 
Gear selector lever position 
when the vehicle is parked. Place 
gear selector lever in positionP 
only when vehicle is stopped. 
The park position is not intended 
to serve as a brake when the 
vehicle is parked. Rather, the 
driver should always set the 
parking brake in addition to 
placing the gear selector lever in 
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be 
removed from the starter switch 
with the gear selector lever in 
positionP. With the SmartKey 
removed, the gear selector lever 
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system 
is malfunctioning, the gear 
selector lever could remain 
locked in positionP.
í
Reverse gear 
Place gear selector lever in 
positionR only when vehicle is 
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the 
engine to the drive axle. When 
the brakes are released, the 
vehicle can be moved freely 
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while 
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or 
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN 
only if the vehicle is in danger of 
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive 
The transmission shifts 
automatically. All five forward 
gears are available. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 173 of 417

172 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any 
other reason with gear selector lever 
inN can result in transmission damage 
that is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear 
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP 
is dangerous. Also, positionP alone is not 
intended to or capable of preventing your 
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people 
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to 
shifting to positionP (
page 56).
When parked on an incline, turn the front 
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where 
combustible 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.
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. Children 
could move the gear selector lever from 
positionP, which could result in an accident 
and/or serious personal injury. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 201 of 417
200 Controls in detailUseful featuresMap pocket in passenger footwell
Storage compartments Armrest storage compartment
Reach into the recess and lift armrest. 
The armrest opens automatically.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the map pocket.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care 
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs. 
Do not place anything on the shelf below the 
rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy 
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help 
to prevent stored objects from being thrown 
about and injuring vehicle occupants during 
an accident. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 202 of 417
201 Controls in detail
Useful features
Center storage compartment
1Release button
2Cover
Press release button1.
Cover2 opens automatically.
The telephone is installed in the cover 
of the storage compartment.Rear storage compartment
1Release button
2Cover
Press release button1. 
Cover2 opens automatically.
Parcel net in trunk
There is a net available in the trunk to se-
cure loads:
Pull the trunk floor net from the trunk 
back wall towards the front over the 
luggage.
Hang the hooks of the net on the eyes 
on the trunk floor.