311 Operation
Driving instructions
Passenger compartmentDriving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitter
COMAND, radio and telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System), radio or tele-
phone
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 (approximate-
ly 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, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
419 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
t
Function
unavailable
This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
Ê
Trunk open
This message will appear whenever the
trunk is open.
Close the trunk.
W
Washer fluid,
please refill
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 327).
494 Technical termsCOMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 354)Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:
If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.
If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DOT
(Department of Transportation)
(
page 354)
Electrohydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
511 Index
Multifunction display 153, 496
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Selecting language 166
Multifunction display messages 388
ABS
Batteries 389, 398, 399
Brake fluid 402
Brake lamps 412
Brake pads 400
Check engine 377, 378
Coolant 403, 404, 405
Cruise control 389
Distronic* 389
Door 406
Electrohydraulic brake system 400,
401
Engine oil 321, 407, 408, 409
ESP
®
391, 392
Fog lamps 412, 413
Fuel reserve tank 411
Headlamps 412, 413, 414
Hood 410
Key, SmartKey 411Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 410
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 417
Parking brake 401
Parking lamps 413
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 417
Seat belts 417
SRS 418
Telephone* 419
Tires 416
Trunk 419
Turn signals 415
Windshield washer fluid 419
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 154,
496
Button operation 154
N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 161
Net, parcel 278
Neutral gear position 185
Night security illumination 144
Normal occupant weight 355Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 468
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 355
Occupant safety 66
Air bags 67
Children and air bags 68
Children in the vehicle 78
Fastening the seat belt 47
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 85
Infant and child restraint systems 78
LATCH-type child seat anchors
OCS
Seat belts 47, 70
OCS
Self-test 86
Odometer 153
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 190
Operating safety 16
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 367
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service 360, 361
Overhead control panel 29
512 IndexOverspeed range, engine 496
Oxidation catalyst 312
P
Paintwork, Cleaning 365
Panic alarm 91
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 239
Messages in display 417
Opening/closing 240
Opening/closing in an
emergency 429
Stopping 241
Synchronizing 242
Panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel
Cleaning 370
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 278
Parking 60, 306
On hills 60, 306
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 60, 306
Parking brake 53, 61
Message in display 401
Parking lamps
Messages in display 413
Replacing bulbs 413Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 140, 176,
198
Gear position 50, 185
Parktronic* 496
Activating/deactivating 266
Cleaning system sensors 368
Malfunctioning 267
Minimum distance 265
Range 264
System sensors 368
Warning indicators 23, 265
Parts service 466
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp
Passenger compartment
Interior lighting 147
Interior rear view mirror 45
Main fuse box 462
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 278
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 303
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 370Pliers, universal (vehicle tool kit) 424
Poly-V-belt drive 496
Layout 469
Positions (Memory function) see Seats
Power assistance 304
Power outlet 283
Power seat see Seats
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 236
Messages in display 417
Opening/closing 236
Opening/closing in an
emergency 429
Stopping 238
Synchronizing 238
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* or panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Emergency operations 429
Power train 497
Power washer 365
Power windows 231
Cleaning 369
Operating 231
Rear door window, Blocking
operation 89
Synchronizing 233
Practical hints 374
515 Index
Starting difficulties, Engine 52
Starting, Engine 50
Steering column 43
Steering wheel 42
Buttons 26
Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch
gearshifting E 55 AMG
Automatic transmission 191
Steering wheel, Cleaning 371
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 293
Storage compartments 30
Center console 276
Cup holder 279
Glove box 276
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
Rear center console 277
Ruffled storage bags 277
Storing
Tires 330
Submenus
In control system
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 199
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Sunshade* 200
Supplemental Restraint System see SRSSuspension tuning
For comfortable driving style 259
For sporty driving style 259
Suspension tuning see Airmatic DC (Dual
Control)*
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 15
T
Tachometer 25, 152
Overspeed range 152
Tail lamps 438
Cleaning lenses 367
Messages in display 415
Replacing bulbs 438
Tar stains 365
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 487
Brake fluid 487
Capacities fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. 484
Coolant 490
Electrical system 481
Engine 471
Engine oil additives 487
Engine oils 487Fuel requirements 489
Gasoline additives 488
Premium unleaded gasoline 488
Rims and tires 473
Weights 483
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 486
Tele Aid 286, 498
Emergency calls 287
Information 290
Initiating an emergency call
manually 288
Message in display 418
Remote door unlock 292
Roadside Assistance 289
SOS button 288
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 293
System self-check 286
Telematics* 498
Telephone* 26, 180, 285
Answering/ending a call 181
Message in display 419
Operation 180
Phone book* 181
Redialing 182