415 Practical hints
Batteries
Disconnecting the batteries
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P.
Close the retractable hardtop
(page 195).
Turn off the engine (
page 60).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open the
driver’s door.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 88).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
!Always disconnect the batteries in the
order described below, even if you only
want to charge the starter battery, for
example. Otherwise the vehicle’s
electronics can be damaged.
423 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.
Lift cover1off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 112).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged
the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 413) and
“Jump starting” (
page 419).
454 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping depending on vehi-
cle settings and/or ambient condi-
tions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 310)
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.COMAND
(Co
ckpit Man
agement and
D
ata System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio, CD
changer and navigation system, as well
as other optional equipment (e.g. tele-
phone).
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 310)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 control.
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 o
f Transportation)
(
page 311)
DTR
(->Distr
onic*)
Electro-hydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
455 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability P
rogram)
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.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 311)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
456 Technical termsInstrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 311)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System tracks distance driven and the
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls
for the next maintenance service ac-
cordingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 311)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 311)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 311)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirror positions.MON
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Two display fields in the instrument
cluster used to present information
provided by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 311)
464 IndexCorner-illuminating front fog lamps* 127
Replacing bulbs 391
Courtesy lighting 131
Cruise control 204, 454
Messages in the multifunction
display 349, 350
Cup holder 232
Cup holders
Cleaning 329
Curb weight 310, 454
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Daytime running lamp mode 125
Setting 152
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 187
Defrosting, Front 186
Defrosting, Rear 179
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 154
Interior lighting 155
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting the engine 50
Digital clock see ClockDigital speedometer 140
Dimensions, Vehicle 443
Direction of rotation (tires) 284
Displays
Digital speedometer 140
Distronic* 209
Maintenance service indicator 318
Multifunction display 135
Outside temperature 134, 140
Symbol messages 359
Text messages 347
Vehicle status message memory 144
Vehicle status messages 345
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 158
Distance warning function* 215
Activating 216
Deactivating 216
Intermittent warning sound 215
Symbol 143, 211
Distronic indicator lamp* 25Distronic* 207, 454
“Resume” function 214
Activating 212
Cleaning system sensor cover 325
Control system 143, 211
Distance warning function 215
Driving hints 216
System sensor cover 325
Warning and indicator lamps 209,
215, 338
Door
Control panel 32
Handle, Inside 32
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 62
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 385, 387
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 34, 62
Messages in the multifunction
display 369
Opening from inside 107
Storage compartment 228
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
DOT 311, 454
Drinking and driving 257
465 Index
Driving
Abroad 266
Driving off 260
Electro-hydraulic brake system 90
Hydroplaning 262
In winter 264, 315
Instructions 51, 257
Problems 56
Safety systems 82
Systems 204
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 216
Driving safety systems 82
ABS 82, 83
BAS 82, 84
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82,
88
ESP
®
82, 85
Driving systems 204
ABC 219
Cruise control 204
Distronic* 207
Parktronic* 223
DTR see DistronicE
Easy-entry/exit feature 43, 156
Messages in the multifunction
display 369
Electric air pump 384, 408
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82, 88,
454
Activation 89
Deactivation 90
Driving hints 90
Messages in the multifunction
display 361, 362
Self-check 89
Warning lamp 88
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 238, 240
Emergency engine shut-down 426
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Glove box, Unlocking 386
Load assist, Lowering 388Locking/unlocking the vehicle 385,
387
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 245
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 111
Trunk lid, Unlocking 386
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 267
Information label 430
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 430
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 316
Break-in recommendations 256
Cleaning 323
Compartment 272
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 335
Number 430, 455
Poly-V-belt layout 431
Starting 49
Tachometer 27
Technical data 432
Turning off 60
Engine coolant see Coolant
467 Index
Gear range
Automatic transmission 167
Canceling limit 169
Indicator 27
Limiting 167
Shifting into optimal 169
Gear selector lever 30, 162
Cleaning 330
Lock 49, 458
Position 162, 164
Global locking/unlocking see Key
Global Positioning System see GPS
Glove box 228
Good visibility 177
GPS 455
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 311, 455
GVWR 311, 455
H
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 329
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hazard warning flasher 129
Head restraints 41Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 124
Cleaning lenses 325
Cleaning system 177
Manual mode 124
Messages in the multifunction
display 374
Replacing bulbs 391
Switch 53, 123
Headliner, cleaning 330
Head-thorax airbag 79, 455
Heated steering wheel* 235
High beam flasher 53, 129
High beam headlamps 53, 123, 392
Indicator lamp 27
Messages in the multifunction
display 374
Replacing bulbs 391, 394
Switching on 129
High mounted brake lamp 392
High-performance brake system (SL 65
AMG only) 260
Hood 272
Messages in display 372Horn 23
HVAC see Automatic climate control
Hydroplaning 262
I
Identification labels 430
Identification number, Vehicle (VIN) 430
Ignition 36
Immobilizer 91
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 76
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation pres-
sure
Inside door handle 107
Instrument cluster 24, 132, 456
Cleaning 329
Illumination brightness 132
Lamps 332
Language 150
Messages in the multifunction
display 24, 345
Multifunction display 135
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness