ContentsSafety and Security........................... 60
Occupant safety................................... 62
Airbags ........................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Panic alarm .......................................... 78
Activating ....................................... 78
Deactivating ................................... 78
Driving safety systems ......................... 79
ABS ................................................ 79
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP
®............................................... 81
Electrohydraulic brake system ....... 84
Performance enhancement system ..... 87
Airbrake.......................................... 87
Anti-theft systems................................ 90
Immobilizer..................................... 90
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 90
Tow-away alarm ............................. 92
Controls in detail............................... 94
Locking and unlocking ......................... 96
SmartKey ....................................... 96
Opening the doors ....................... 100
Opening the trunk ........................ 100
Closing the trunk lid ..................... 101
Trunk emergency release ............. 102
Automatic locking ........................ 103
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 103
Lighting.............................................. 105
Exterior lamp switch..................... 105
Combination switch ..................... 109
Hazard warning flasher ................ 110
Interior lighting............................. 111
Trunk lamp ................................... 112
Courtesy lighting .......................... 112
Instrument cluster ............................. 113
Instrument cluster illumination .... 113
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 114
Resetting the trip odometer ......... 115
Tachometer .................................. 115
Outside temperature indicator ..... 115Control system .................................. 117
Multifunction display.................... 117
Multifunction steering wheel........ 118
Menus .......................................... 120
Standard display menu ................ 122
AUDIO menu ................................ 123
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 124
Settings menu .............................. 126
Trip computer menu..................... 137
TEL menu ..................................... 139
Audio system ..................................... 143
Audio and telephone, operation ... 143
Operating safety .......................... 143
Location of the audio system ....... 143
Operating and display elements... 144
Button and soft key operation...... 146
Operation ..................................... 146
Radio operation ........................... 149
Cassette operation ...................... 152
CD changer operation .................. 156
Telephone operation .................... 160
Automatic transmission ..................... 167
One-touch gearshifting ................ 168
Gear ranges ................................. 170
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
ContentsAt the gas station............................... 241
Refueling ...................................... 241
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 242
Engine compartment.......................... 244
Hood ............................................ 244
Engine oil...................................... 247
Transmission fluid level ................ 249
Coolant......................................... 250
Trunk ................................................. 251
Batteries....................................... 251
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 252
Tires and wheels ................................ 254
Important guidelines .................... 254
Tire care and maintenance ........... 255
Direction of rotation ..................... 257
Loading the vehicle ...................... 257
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 264
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 266
Tire labeling .................................. 271
Load identification........................ 275
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 276
Maximum tire load ....................... 277Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 278
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 279
Tire ply material ........................... 281
Tire and loading terminology ........ 281
Rotating tires ............................... 284
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 285
Winter driving .................................... 287
Winter tires* ................................ 287
Snow chains ................................. 288
Maintenance ...................................... 289
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 289
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 290
Calling up the service due date .... 290
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 291
Vehicle care ....................................... 292
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 292
Vehicle washing ........................... 293
Practical hints................................. 296
What to do if ... .................................. 298
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 298
Lamp in center console................ 306
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 307
Symbol messages ........................ 315
Where will I find ...? ........................... 342
First aid kit ................................... 342
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and
vehicle literature portfolio ............ 342
Compact guide (Canada only) ...... 343
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 344
Unlocking the vehicle................... 344
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 346
Replacing bulbs ................................. 348
Front lamps.................................. 349
Rear lamps ................................... 349
Replacing the wiper blades................ 350
Removing wiper blades ................ 350
Installing wiper blades ................. 350
19 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP
® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink
® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls Compa-
ny.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of
Siemens Automotive Corp.The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
with
114
DCoolant temperature
warning lamp
302
2
Speedometer with;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
300
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
300
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
298
>Gearshift indicator
lamp
303
LLeft turn signal
indicator lampKRight turn signal
indicator lamp
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with
Outside temperature
115
Main odometer
117
4
Reset button
113
5
Tachometer with
115
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
109
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA only
301
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
301
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
299
XTire pressure warning
lamp
305
Item
Page
1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
304
6
Right multifunction display
with
Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
117,
170,
171
Trip odometer
117
Automatic transmission
shift program mode
117,
173
Clock
131
=Engine oil temperature
indicator
303
7
Fuel gauge withAFuel reserve warning
lamp
303
30 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Left multifunction display in
the speedometer
117
2
Right multifunction display in
the tachometer
117
Operating control system
3
Selecting the submenu or set-
ting the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
118
4
Telephone:
Press button
íto take a call
ìto end a call
118
Item
Page
5
Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
118
6
Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
118
44 Getting startedAdjustingAdjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in the
direction of arrow1 until a comfort-
able steering wheel position is reached
with your arms slightly bent at the
elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down
Press the lever up or down in the direc-
tion of arrow 2. Make sure that you
can move your legs freely and that you
can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.Interior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the rear-view mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 179).
Exterior rear view mirrors
Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass
breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
52 Getting startedDrivingAfter a cold start, the transmission engag-
es at a higher revolution. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Lights off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn switch toB.
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 105).
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message:Release
parking brakeappears in the multifunction display
when driving off, you have forgotten to
release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speed. Running a cold engine at high
engine speed may shorten the service
life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 137).
59 Getting started
Parking and locking
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.
Locking
After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 38).
With the hood, trunk and all doors
closed, all turn signal lamps flash three
times. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 96).
!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.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey 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. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWith the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds and the mes-
sage
Turn off lamps
appears in the
multifunction display if the vehicle’s ex-
terior lamps are not switched off.