Page 359 of 417

358 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle 
with all wheels on the ground, always tow 
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the SBC brake 
system
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on 
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey 
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch 
position0 for an extended period of time, it 
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this 
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with 
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn 
SmartKey in starter switch to 
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the 
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power 
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply 
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver 
must then apply significantly greater brake 
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much 
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the 
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the 
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see “SBC brake 
system” (
page 84).
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. Adapt your driving accordingly. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 360 of 417

359 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing/reinstalling towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt1 from its 
storage compartment (
page 340).1Towing eye bolt
Remove cover from the access hole.
Screw towing eye bolt1 in to its stop.
Remove the towing eye bolt when you 
no longer need it. To do this, carry out 
the above steps in reverse order.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels 
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter 
switch position2 the vehicle doors 
lock if the left front wheel as well as the 
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle 
speeds of approximately 9 mph 
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from 
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 135). 
Towing of the vehicle should only be 
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable, 
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe gear selector lever will remain 
locked in positionP and the SmartKey 
will not turn in the starter switch if the 
battery is disconnected or discharged. 
See notes on the battery (
page 354).
!Only secure the tow bar to the towing 
eye bolt. The vehicle could otherwise 
be damaged.!Your vehicle is equipped with a front 
towing eye bolt only (
page 359).
You cannot tow other vehicles with 
your vehicle. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 389 of 417

388 Technical termsOverspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking 
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator, 
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit 
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axlesProduction options weight
(
page 279)
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between sport operation (S), com-
fort operation (C) and manual 
operation (MAN).
PSI
(Pounds per s
quare i
nch)
(
page 280)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 280)
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.
Rim
(page 280)RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
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 brake system
(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.  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 393 of 417

392 IndexAnti-theft alarm system 90
Arming 91
Canceling alarm 91
Disarming 91
Anti-theft device
Dust cover 224
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Tow-away alarm 91
Anti-theft wheel nuts 282
Fitting 283
Removing 283
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Ashtray 202
Aspect ratio 278
AUDIO menu 122
Operating CD player 123
Selecting radio station 123
Audio system 31, 143
Audio and telephone, operation 143
Button and soft key operation 146
Cassette operation 152
CD operation 156
Location 143
Operating and display elements 144
Operating safety 143Operation 146
Radio operation 149
Switching off 146
Switching on 146
Telephone operation 160
Auto-dimming for interior rear view 
mirror 179
Automatic
Interior lighting control 111
Automatic car wash 290
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control 
system) 135
Automatic climate control 31, 182
Adjusting air distribution 187
Adjusting air volume 185, 186
Air recirculation 188
Center air vents 31
Deactivating 191
Defrosting the windshield 188
MAXCOOL 187
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 31
Temperature sensor 33
Automatic headlamp mode 106Automatic transmission 167
Accelerator position 173
Emergency operation (Limp Home 
Mode) 177
Fluid level 248
Gear ranges 170
Gear selector lever 167
Gear selector lever position 167, 171
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 173
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Shift program mode selector 
switch 173
Steering wheel gearshift control 174
Towing 360
Transmission fluid 248
Automatic transmission fluid 248 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 394 of 417

393 Index
B
BabySmart
TM
Self-test 75
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system 75, 385
BabySmartTM compatible child 
seats 385
Back up lamp 347
Bar 278
BAS 79, 81, 385
BAS/ESP
Indicator lamp 296
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 99
Replacing 344
Batteries, vehicle 250
Charging 355
Consumer battery 250, 354
Maintenance 354
Messages in the multifunction 
display 310
Starter battery 250
Battery charger 356
Bead 278Bi-Xenon headlamps 385
Body surface 289
Brake fluid 375, 378
Checking 241
Brake lamp
High mounted 347
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction 
display 317
Brake warning lamp 29, 298
Brake/parking lamp 347
Brakes 230
Break-in period 228
Bulbs
Changing 346
Front 347
Messages in the multifunction 
display 323
Rear 347
Button
Audio system 146C
CAC 385
CAN system 386
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 375
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 152
Catalytic converter 237
CD changer 156
Loading/unloading a CD 
magazine 157
Location 157
CD operation 156
CD player
Operating 123
Cellular phone
Delayed switch-off time 205
Inserting the cradle 205
Making calls in hands-free mode 207
Making calls in private mode 206
Re-inserting 206
Removing the cradle 204 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 395 of 417

394 IndexCenter air vents 31
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Center storage compartment 201
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 129
Central locking
Automatic 103
Central locking switch 31, 103
Switching on/off (control 
system) 135
Unlocking from inside 103
Changing
Bulbs 346
CDs 156
Charging the batteries (vehicle) 355
Battery charger 356Checking
Brake fluid 241
Coolant level 241, 249
Engine oil level 241
Tire inflation pressure 242
Vehicle lighting 242
Washer reservoir level 242
Child safety
Airbags 64
Automatic child seat recognition 75
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Cigarette lighter 202
Cleaning
Headlamps 178, 293
Vehicle 290
Windows 292
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 291Cleaning tires 255
Clearing
Service display 286
Clock 128
Closing
Hood 246
Trunk lid 102
Windows 193, 194
Windows with SmartKey 195
Cockpit 26, 386
Cold tire inflation pressure 278
Combination switch 27, 51, 109
High beam flasher 51
Windshield wipers 52
Comfort
Shift program mode 173
Compact guide 341
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters 237 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 396 of 417

395 Index
Control system 117, 386
AUDIO menu 122
Display digital speedometer 122
Functions 119, 121
Instrument cluster submenu 128
Lighting submenu 130
Menus 120, 121
Multifunction display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 118
Selecting radio system 123
Settings menu 125
Standard display menu 117, 122
Submenus 119, 121
TEL menu 138
Trip computer menu 136
Vehicle submenu 134
Coolant 249, 380
Adding 249
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 
quantity 381
Checking level 249
Messages in the multifunction 
display 320Temperature 239
Temperature gauge 114
Topping up 249
Warning lamp 29, 300
Coolant level
Checking 241, 249
Messages in the multifunction 
display 319
Cooling see Air conditioning
Courtesy lighting 112
Cruise control 197, 386
Canceling 198
Driving downhill 198
Driving uphill 198
Fine adjustment 199
Lever 27, 197
Setting current speed 198
Setting speeds 199
Curb weight 278
Customer Assistance Center 385D
Daytime running lamp mode 107
Setting 131
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 192
Air recirculation mode 189
Alarm 91
Anti-theft alarm system 91
Automatic climate control 191
Central locking (control system) 135
Cruise control 198
Engine with the SmartKey 58
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 106
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 132
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 90
Interior light delayed switch-off 134
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 134
Manual gearshift program 177
Rear window defroster 181
Residual heat 190
Tow-away alarm 92 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 401 of 417
400 IndexI
Identification labels
Emission control information 
label 366
Vacuum line routing diagram 
label 366
Ignition 40
Immobilizer 90
Activating 90
Deactivating 90
Infant and child restraint systems 72
Installing 77
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 77
Towing eye bolt 359
Wiper blades 348Instrument cluster 28, 113, 387
Coolant temperature gauge 114
Illumination 113
Multifunction display 117
Outside temperature indicator 115
Select language 130
Instrument lighting 113
Interior lighting 33, 111
Automatic control 111
Delayed shut-off 134
Delayed switch-off 134
Manual operation 112
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 43
Interior storage spaces 200J
Jump starting 354
K
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 98
Factory setting 98
Loss of 100
Opening 38
Positions in starter switch 40
Remote control 96
Replacing the battery 344
Turning off the engine 58
Kickdown 173, 387
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 129
Kilopascal 279
Knee airbags 68