Page 240 of 498

239 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Start the engine (
page 49).
Press the damping button1 until the
desired suspension style is set.Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to
increase vehicle safety
reduce fuel consumption
The following vehicle chassis ride heights
can be selected:
Normal
Raised
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:
At a speed exceeding approximately
68 mph (110 km / h) with normal level
set or exceeding 75 mph (120 km / h)
with raised level set, the ride height is
reduced automatically. The table on
the next page provides an overview of
the vehicle levels.
With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the normal level.
Select the raised level only when required
by current driving conditions. Otherwise
handling may be impaired
fuel consumption may increase
!If you have selected the Comfort sus-
pension tuning (
page 238), the vehi-
cle lowers slightly when you lock it
within approximately 60 seconds after
switching off the engine. When parking,
make sure that your vehicle cannot
come into contact with other objects,
such as a curb, while lowering. Your ve-
hicle could otherwise be damaged.
iThe selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
iThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
Page 255 of 498

254 Controls in detailUseful featuresRuffled storage bags
Ruffled storage bags are located on the
back of the front seats.Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.Warning!
G
The ruffled storage bag is intended for stor-
ing light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The ruffled storage bag cannot protect
transported goods in the event of an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Page 259 of 498
258 Controls in detailUseful featuresReinstalling ashtray insert
Install insert by pushing it back into
frame until it engages again.
Rear door ashtray
1Sliding button
2Insert slides out
3AshtrayOpening rear seat ashtray
Briefly press the top of the ashtray1.
The ashtray opens.
Removing ashtray insert
Push sliding button1 and remove
insert2 upwards from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install insert by pushing it back into
ashtray frame until it engages again.
Cigarette lighterWarning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 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. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Page 260 of 498

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
The cigarette lighter is located in the cen-
ter console compartment in front of the
center armrest (
page 28).
1Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear stor-
age compartment in the rear center con-
sole.
1Power outlet
2Cover
Slide cover2 back.
!The lighter socket can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical
accessories (up to a maximum 85 W)
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting acces-
sories to the lighter socket (for exam-
ple extensive connecting and
disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter
socket. With the socket damaged, the
lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) posi-
tion, or the lighter may pop out too ear-
ly with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette
lighter socket, we recommend con-
necting 12V DC electrical accessories
designed for use with a standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type to the 12V pow-
er outlets (
page 259) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
iThe power outlet can be used to ac-
commodate 12-V DC electrical acces-
sories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps)
up to a maximum 180 W.
Page 273 of 498

272 Controls in detailUseful featuresStep 5:
After the indicator lamp1 changes
from a slow to a rapidly flashing light,
release the hand-held remote control
button and the signal transmitter but-
ton.
Step 6:
Press and hold the just-trained signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) and
observe the indicator lamp1.
If the indicator lamp1 stays on
constantly, programming is complete
and your device should activate when
the respective signal transmitter
button (2, 3 or4) is pressed and
released.Step 7:
To program the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.Rolling code programming
To train a garage door opener (or other
rolling code devices) with the rolling code
feature, follow these instructions after
completing the “Programming” portion
(steps 1 through 6) of this text. (A second
person may make the following training
procedures quicker and easier.)
Step 8:
Locate “training” button on the garage
door opener motor head unit.
Exact location and color of the button
may vary by garage door opener brand.
Depending on manufacturer, the
“training” button may also be referred
to as “learn”or “smart” button. If there
is difficulty locating the transmitting
button, refer to the garage door opener
operator’s manual.
iThe indicator lamp1 flashes immedi-
ately the first time the signal transmit-
ter button is programmed. If this button
has already been programmed, the in-
dicator lamp will only start flashing af-
ter 20 seconds.
iIf the indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly
for about 2 seconds and then turns to a
constant light, continue with
programming steps 8 through 12 as
your garage door opener may be
equipped with the “rolling code”
feature.
Page 274 of 498

273 Controls in detail
Useful features
Step 9:
Press the “training” button on the ga-
rage door opener motor head unit.
The “training light” is activated.
You have 30 seconds to initiate the follow-
ing two steps.
Step 10:
Return to the vehicle and firmly press,
hold for 2 seconds and release the pro-
grammed signal transmitter button
(2, 3 or4).
Step 11:
Press, hold for 2 seconds and release
same signal transmitter button a sec-
ond time to complete the training pro-
cess.Step 12:
Confirm the garage door operation by
pressing the programmed signal trans-
mitter button (2, 3 or4).
Step 13:
To program the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.Gate operator/Canadian programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission
which may not be long enough for the
integrated signal transmitter to pick up the
signal during programming. Similar to this
Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators
are designed to “time-out” in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or if you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
(regardless of where you live) by using the
programming procedures, replace step 4
with the following:iSome garage door openers (or other
rolling code equipped devices) may
require you to press, hold for 2 seconds
and release the same signal transmit-
ter button a third time to complete the
training process.
Page 287 of 498

286 OperationDriving instructionsRoad salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible
after driving is resumed.For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 336).
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 control loss.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
possible death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.
Page 293 of 498
292 OperationAt the gas station
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 294).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 411).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 134).Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 313).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 354).