Page 10 of 409

Contents
Shift program mode selector
switch .......................................... 173
Driving tips ................................... 173
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 174
Manual gearshift program ............ 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 178
Good visibility .................................... 179
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 179
Rear view mirrors ......................... 179
Sun visors .................................... 180
Rear window defroster ................. 181
Automatic climate control ................. 182
Adjusting the temperature ........... 185
Adjusting air volume .................... 186
Adjusting air distribution .............. 187
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 187
Defrosting the windshield ............ 188
Air recirculation mode.................. 188
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 190
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system................. 191
Air conditioning ............................ 192Power windows .................................. 193
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 193
Synchronizing power windows ...... 195
Summer opening feature .............. 195
Convenience closing feature......... 196
Driving systems .................................. 197
Cruise control ............................... 197
Useful features ................................... 200
Map pocket in passenger
footwell ......................................... 200
Storage compartments ................. 200
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 201
Ashtray and cigarette lighter......... 202
Power outlet ................................. 203
Telephone ..................................... 203
Tele Aid ......................................... 208
Garage door opener ...................... 216
Floormats...................................... 223
Dust cover .................................... 224
Roof and trunk lid racks ................ 227
Operation.......................................... 228
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 230
Driving instructions ............................ 231
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 231
Drinking and driving...................... 231
Pedals ........................................... 231
Power assistance .......................... 232
Brakes .......................................... 232
Driving off ..................................... 234
Parking ......................................... 234
Tires.............................................. 235
Hydroplaning ................................ 236
Tire traction .................................. 236
Tire speed rating ........................... 236
Winter driving instructions ............ 237
Standing water ............................. 238
Passenger compartment............... 238
Driving abroad .............................. 238
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 238
Catalytic converter ....................... 239
Emission control ........................... 240
Coolant temperature .................... 240
Page 33 of 409
32 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
44
2
Remote trunk opening switch
101
3
Tow-away alarm switch
92
4
ESP
® control switch
83
5
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
75
6
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
171
7
Parking brake
50,
57
Page 34 of 409
33 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Left reading lamp on/off
111
2
Temperature sensor for
automatic climate control
182
3
Right reading lamp on/off
111
4
Interior lighting control
111
5
Hands-free microphone for
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) and telephone
(see separate operating
instructions)
203
6
Interior rear view mirror
44,
179
7
Garage door opener
216
8
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button
208
Page 43 of 409

42 Getting startedAdjustingSeatsThe seat adjustment switch is located on
the door sill.
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat height
3Seat angleWarning!
G
All seat, steering wheel, and rear view mirror
adjustments, as well as fastening of seat
belts, must be done before the vehicle is put
into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly
upright position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be ad-
justed so that you can correctly fasten your
seat belt (
page 46).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the vehicle, the seats can
be operated. Therefore, do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause an ac-
cident and/or serious personal injury.
Page 45 of 409

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.
Page 46 of 409
45 Getting started
Adjusting
The buttons are located on the lower part
of the center console.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
3Adjustment button
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Press button1 for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button2
for passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
Push adjustment button3 up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 179).
iAt low ambient temperatures, the
exterior rear view mirrors will be
heated automatically.
Page 90 of 409
89 Safety and Security
Performance enhancement system
Automatic mode
This mode should be used for normal driv-
ing conditions.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to
position2.
With the ignition on, the Airbrake
swings upwards to an angle of 5° and
then returns to its initial position.
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of
60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake
swings up to an angle of 10°. Rapid braking
If you need to brake in an emergency from
a speed of more than 60 mph (95 km/h),
the Airbrake automatically swings upwards
to an angle of 62°.
This allows you to achieve the best possi-
ble braking performance in an emergency.
Warning!
G
Hard braking activates the Airbrake which
may block the view through the interior rear
view mirror. In this case, monitor the traffic
behind you through the exterior rear view
mirrors.
Page 113 of 409

112 Controls in detailLightingManual control
Switching interior lighting on
Press switch3.
The interior lighting switches on.
Switching interior lighting off
Press switch 3 again.
The interior lighting switches off.
Reading lamps
The reading lamps are integrated into the
interior rear view mirror.
Press reading lamp switch1or2 to
switch on the desired reading lamp.
Press reading lamp switch1or2
again to switch off the respective read-
ing lamp.
Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp switches on if the trunk is
opened.
If you leave the trunk open for an extended
period of time, the trunk lamp will switch
off automatically after approximately
10 minutes.
Courtesy lighting
For better orientation in the dark, courtesy
lamps will illuminate the interior of your
vehicle.
When you open a door:
the driver’s and passenger’s footwells
If the SmartKey is in starter switch
position1:
the center console
!Make sure the interior lighting is
switched off when leaving the vehicle.
iThe setting selected for the interior
lighting is used for the trunk lighting as
well.
iThe center console is lit from the
interior rear view mirror.