291 Operation
Driving instructions
Control and operation of radio transmitters
COMAND*, radio and telephone*Telephones* and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit
Management and Data System), radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, 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 and potentially
start a fire.
331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km). Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
449 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.
Accessory weight
(
page 331)
Air pressure
(page 331)
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(page 331)
Bar
(page 331)
BAS
(Brake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.Bead
(
page 331)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 331)
COMAND*
(Cockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other
optional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
456 Index
Operating and display elements 200
Operating audio system 202
Operating safety 199
Radio operation 207
Telephone* operation 225
Auto-dimming mirror* 171
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 152
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 186
Control panel 187
Defrosting, front 191
Rear window defroster 175
Automatic headlamp mode 119
Automatic locking when driving 107
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission*) 167
Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 147Automatic transmission* 162
Accelerator position 165
Automatic shift program 167
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 169
Fluid level (ATF) 300
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever 162
Gear shifting malfunctions 169
Kickdown 165
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Program mode selector switch 167
Starting engine 49
B
Backrest
Driver’s multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 113
Rear seat, folding 254
Seat, manual 36
Seat, power* 38Backup lamps
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 399
Bar 331
BAS 88, 449
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 396
Checking battery condition 101
Battery, Vehicle 302, 412
Charging 414
Disconnecting and connecting 413
Jump starting 415
Removing and installing 413
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon* headlamps see headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Bolts, Spare wheel 388
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 442
Checking 295
Message in display 370
467 Index
R
Radio
Operation 202, 207
Selecting stations (Control
system) 136
Radio transmitters 291
Range (distance to empty) 156
Reading lamp 125
Rear bench seat, foldable* 253
Rear door window
Blocking operation 85
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 110
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 184, 197
Rear seat ashtray see Ashtray
Rear seat head restraints see Head
restraints
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 175
Rear window sunshade* 174
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 333Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid*) 273
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 442
Refueling 294
Regular checks 295
Remote control, SmartKey 98
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 272
Replacing bulbs
Additional turn signal lamps 403
Backup lamp 404
Brake lamps 404
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 398
Fog lamps 404
Headlamps 398, 400, 402
High beam headlamps 398, 400
License plate lamps 404
Low beam headlamps 400
Parking lamps 401, 403, 404
Side marker lamps 403
Standing lamps 401, 403
Tail lamps 399, 404
Turn signal lamps 401, 403, 404
Reporting safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RONReset button, In the instrument
cluster 127, 141
Reset tool
Location 394
Residual heat utilization 197
Residual ventilation 197
Restraint system
see Children in the vehicle
see Infant and child restraint systems
see SRS
Restraint system see Infant and child
restraint systems
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission* 49
Reverse gear position, Manual
transmission 48
Rims 333, 432
Roadside Assistance 12
RON 453
Roof rack* 250
Rubber parts, Cleaning 346
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only) 317
468 IndexS
Safety
Driving safety systems 87
Occupant 62
Reporting defects 18
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 211
Seat belt force limiter 72
Seat belts 69
Children in the vehicle 74
Cleaning 347
Fastening 45
Height adjustment 47
Message in display 381
Proper use of 47, 70
Safety guidelines 66
Telltale 25, 381
Seat heating* 114
Seating capacity 309
Seats, 35, 109
Heating* 113, 114
Lumbar support* 112
Manual 36, 109
Memory function*
(Power seats*) 115Multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 113
Power* 38, 109
Rear bench seat* 253
Securing cargo 256
Selector lever see gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 81
Tele Aid* 266
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 427
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator 338
Service life (tires) 305
Service see Maintenance Service system
see FSS (Canada vehicles) or Mainte-
nance System (U.S. vehicles) 338
Service System see FSS
Service, Parts 426
Settings
Control system menus and
submenus 133, 134
Date 147, 148
Factory, SmartKey 100Individual, SmartKey 100
Individual, Vehicle 140
Lighting (control system) 149
Memory function* 115
Menus and submenus 132
Resetting all (control system) 140
Selective, SmartKey 100
Time 145, 146
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 347
Shift lever position indicator 130, 163
Shift lock 453
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission* 130
Shifting
Automatic transmission* 49, 162
Into optimal gear range
(automatic transmission*) 169
Into reverse (manual
transmission) 161
Manual transmission 48, 161
Side impact air bags (front and rear*) 68
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 403
Side windows see Power windows