Page 49 of 456
48 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral position
DDrive position
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 165).Starting with the SmartKey
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 34).
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off with
the SmartKey” (
page 59).
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position 3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.
Page 50 of 456
49 Getting started
Driving
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.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure. Do not depress ac-
celerator.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
The engine starts automatically if the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the
vehicle.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off the en-
gine with KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 59).
Warning!
G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle.
Page 51 of 456
50 Getting startedDrivingStarting 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 48). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the vehicle
battery.
Get a jump start (
page 394).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
2Release handle
Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The warning lamp ; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.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, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.
Page 52 of 456
51 Getting started
Driving
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
Move gear selector lever in positionD
orR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature faster.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofPorN if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!In order to avoid damaging the trans-
mission,
wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.
place the gear selector lever in
positionP orR only when the vehi-
cle is stopped.
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message: RELEASE
PARKING BRAKEappears in the multifunction display
when driving off, you have forgotten to
release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
Page 53 of 456
52 Getting startedDrivingFor more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 259).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch toB.
The green indicator lampC in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 125).High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open doors only when condi-
tions are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 162).
Page 56 of 456
55 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
the direction of arrow1 to the resis-
tance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in the di-
rection of arrow1 past the resistance
point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 282).
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front
door is opened. This protects persons
getting into or out of the vehicle from
being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued
when
all doors are closed
and
the gear selector lever is in
positionD or R
or
the wiper setting is changed using
the combination switch
iTo prevent smears on the windshield,
wipe with windshield washer fluid every
now and then even when it is raining.!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle
in a safe location,
remove SmartKey from the
starter switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 35) and open
the driver’s door (with the driv-
er’s door open, starter switch is
in position0, same as with
SmartKey removed from the
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 the combination switch positionI:
Set the combination switch to the
next higher wiper speed.
Have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 58 of 456
57 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:Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering systems. In this case, it is impor-
tant to keep in mind that a considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to brake
and steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible 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.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 35).
Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Page 59 of 456
58 Getting startedParking and lockingParking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake1.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp ; (USA only) or
3(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster will be illuminated.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 52).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (page 125).
Turning off the engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
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 to positionP, either of which could
result in an accident and/or serious injury.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 48).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position P.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the curb.
