ContentsSafety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Air bags .......................................... 65
Seat belts ....................................... 70
Active head restraints .................... 74
Children in the vehicle .................... 75
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 82
Panic alarm .......................................... 83
Activating ....................................... 83
Deactivating ................................... 83
Driving safety systems ......................... 84
ABS ................................................ 84
BAS ................................................ 86
ESP
®.............................................. 86
Electro-hydraulic brake system ...... 89
Anti-theft systems................................ 93
Immobilizer..................................... 93
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 93
Tow-away alarm ............................. 95
Controls in detail............................... 97
Locking and unlocking ......................... 98
SmartKey ....................................... 98
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 103
Opening the doors from the inside 111
Opening the trunk ........................ 112
Closing the trunk.......................... 114
Trunk emergency release ............. 120
Valet locking ................................ 121
Automatic central locking ............ 122
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 122
Seats ................................................. 124
Front seat active head restraint ... 124
Rear seat head restraints ............. 124
Lumbar support............................ 125
Multicontour seat* ....................... 126
Drive - Dynamic seat* with
multicontour features................... 127
Seat heating* ............................... 128
Seat ventilation* .......................... 130Memory function ............................... 131
Storing positions into memory ..... 132
Recalling positions from memory. 132
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 133
Lighting ............................................. 134
Exterior lamp switch .................... 134
Combination switch ..................... 138
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
(CLS with Bi-Xenon* headlamps) . 139
Hazard warning flasher ................ 140
Interior lighting in the front .......... 141
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 142
Door entry lamps ......................... 143
Trunk lamp ................................... 143
Instrument cluster ............................. 144
Instrument cluster illumination .... 144
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 145
Trip odometer .............................. 146
Tachometer.................................. 146
Outside temperature indicator ..... 146
ContentsUseful features .................................. 251
Storage compartments................. 251
Cup holders .................................. 255
Ashtrays ....................................... 257
Cigarette lighter ........................... 258
Power outlet ................................. 259
Floormats ..................................... 260
Telephone*................................... 260
Tele Aid ........................................ 261
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 278
Driving instructions............................ 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes .......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking ......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 282
Hydroplaning ................................ 283
Tire traction.................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 284
Winter driving instructions ........... 285
Standing water ............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad.............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter ....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature .................... 289At the gas station .............................. 290
Refueling ...................................... 290
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 291
Engine compartment ......................... 293
Hood ............................................ 293
Engine oil ..................................... 294
Transmission fluid level................ 297
Coolant level ................................ 297
Battery ......................................... 299
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 300
Tires and wheels................................ 301
Important guidelines .................... 301
Tire care and maintenance........... 302
Direction of rotation..................... 304
Loading the vehicle ...................... 304
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 311
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 313
MOExtended system*................... 321
Tire labeling ................................. 322
Load identification ....................... 326
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
353
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
147
5
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates with the
ignition on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
357
6
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
7
Coolant temperature indi-
cator with:•Coolant temperature
warning lamp
357
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
359
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
352
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
138
9
Main odometer with:
Selector lever position
49
Program mode
182
a
Clock with:
162
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
354
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
354
Item
Page
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA
only
355
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Cana-
da only
355
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale*,
Canada only
360
b
Fuel display with:AFuel reserve warning
lamp
358
c
Button for:
Resetting trip odometer
146
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
144
Confirming new time
settings
162
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.
145 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster clockwise (
page 24).
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster counterclockwise (
page 24).
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature indicatorWarning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers
the coolant temperature warning lamp
(page 357) and a warning in the
multifunction display (
page 379).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to 248°F
(120°C).
210 Controls in detail4-zone automatic climate controlActivating
Switch off the ignition.
Press buttonT (
page 198).
REST in the display4 (page 198)
comes on.Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 198) again.
REST in the display4 (page 198)
goes out.
Rear air conditioning
The rear climate control is adjusted via the
front climate control panel (
page 198) or
(
page 199) or the rear climate control
panel.
The rear climate control panel is located in
the rear center console.
iRegardless of the selected air volume,
the blower operates at low speed.iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on
the coolant temperature
the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting1
regardless of the air distribution
control setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
if the coolant temperature is too
low
289 Operation
Driving instructions
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments on the engine should, there-
fore, be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing
requirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximately
248°F (120°C).The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness 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 only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
298 OperationEngine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: reaches the top of
the mark (plastic bridge) visible
through the filling opening
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 466).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.