Page 29 of 498
28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
257
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button
37
3
Selector lever for automatic 
transmission
49,
178
4
Parking assist (Parktronic 
system)* deactivation 
switch
242
5
Adaptive damping system 
(ADS) switch
238
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control switch
239
7
Thumbwheel for setting dis-
tance in Distronic*
234
8
Distance warning function* 
on/off switch
235
9
Program mode selector 
switch for automatic trans-
mission
182 
     
        
        Page 38 of 498

37 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the SmartKey, see “Starting with the 
SmartKey” (
page 50).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton on the gear selector lever corresponds 
to turning the SmartKey to the various 
starter switch positions.
If you firmly depress the brake pedal dur-
ing pressing KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton, the engine starts automatically.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be 
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set 
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
!If the SmartKey can still not be turned, 
the battery may not be sufficiently 
charged.
Check the battery and charge it if 
necessary (
page 433).
Get a jump start (
page 435).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge or a completely discharged 
battery, always remove the SmartKey 
from the starter switch when the en-
gine is not in operation.
iThe function of the SmartKey overrules 
the KEYLESS-GO function. 
     
        
        Page 39 of 498

38 Getting startedUnlockingPosition 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board 
electronics have status0 (as with 
SmartKey removed).
Position 1
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
once.
This supplies power for some electrical 
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or position 2)
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
twice.
This supplies power for all electrical 
consumers.
This supplies power to all electrical 
consumers. All lamps (except high 
beam headlamp indicator lamp and 
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come 
on. If a lamp in the instrument cluster 
fails to come on when the ignition is 
switched on, have it checked and 
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the 
instrument cluster remains on after 
starting the engine or comes on while 
driving, see “Lamps in instrument clus-
ter” (
page 352).
For information on starting the engine 
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button, 
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*” 
(
page 50).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button
once again, the ignition (position2) 
is switched on.
twice, the power supply is again 
switched off.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button once, the power 
supply is again switched off.iWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator and warning lamps (except 
high beam headlamp indicator lamp 
and turn signal indicator lamps unless 
activated) in the instrument cluster 
come on. The indicator and warning 
lamps (except high beam headlamp 
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator 
lamps if activated) should go out when 
the engine is running. This indicates 
that the respective systems are opera-
tional. 
     
        
        Page 51 of 498

50 Getting startedDrivingStarting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine 
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off en-
gine” (
page 60).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set 
toP.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position3 and hold until the engine 
starts (
page 36).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.
For information on turning off the engine 
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Locking with 
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 62).
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 
accelerator.
The selector lever lock is released.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop 
button1 once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.
iYou can also use the “touch-start” 
function. Turn the SmartKey to 
position3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.
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 57 of 498

56 Getting startedDriving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be 
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered 
the catalytic converter and damaged it. 
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off 
immediately.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle 
in a safe location
turn off the engine by turning 
the SmartKey to position0 and 
withdraw SmartKey from starter 
switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing 
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button and open the driver’s 
door (with the driver’s door 
open, starter switch is in 
position0, same as with 
SmartKey removed from 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 combination switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the 
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center 
     
        
        Page 58 of 498
57 Getting started
Driving
The coolant temperature is above 
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer 
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as 
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 297).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any 
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.If the extent of the damage cannot be 
determined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner. 
     
        
        Page 59 of 498

58 Getting startedParking and lockingYou 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 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.Warning!
G
If you have selected the Comfort suspension 
tuning (
page 238), the vehicle lowers 
slightly when it is locked. You should there-
fore make sure that no one is standing near 
the wheel arches or lying underneath the ve-
hicle when it is being locked. Otherwise, 
personal injury could result.
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 
wheel towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch 
position0 and remove, or press 
start/stop button (vehicles with 
KEYLESS-GO*).
Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when 
leaving.!If you have selected the Comfort sus-
pension tuning Comfort suspension 
tuning (
page 238), the vehicle lowers 
slightly when you lock it within approx-
imately 60 seconds after switching off 
the engine. When parking, make sure 
that your vehicle cannot come into con-
tact with other objects, such as a curb, 
while lowering. Your vehicle could 
otherwise be damaged. 
     
        
        Page 61 of 498

60 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off engine 
Shift the automatic transmission to 
positionP (
page 178).
Apply the parking brake (
page 59).
Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
(page 36) to position0.
Remove the SmartKey from the starter 
switch. 
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop 
button (
page 37) to turn off the en-
gine.
With the driver's door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the 
driver’s door opened, the starter switch 
is set to position0, same as SmartKey 
removed from starter switch 
(
page 36).
Releasing seat belts 
Press the seat belt release button 
(page 47).
Allow the retractor to completely 
rewind the seat belt by guiding the 
latch plate.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP 
(page 178).
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the road curb.
!Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so 
that the seat belt and/or latch plate 
cannot get caught or pinched in the 
door or in the seat mechanism. This 
can damage the seat belt and impair 
the effectiveness of the seat belt, 
and/or cause damage to the door 
and/or door trim panel. Such damage 
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. 
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.