Page 270 of 441

269 Operation
Driving instructions
Telephones* and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded gasoline
in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation
should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, exces-
sive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic con-
verter, causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.
Warning!G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where combus-
tible materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.
Page 305 of 441

304 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Page 421 of 441

420 Index
Audio system 187
Audio and telephone, operation 187
Button and soft key operation 190
CD changer* with MP3 202
CD operation 201
Operating and display elements 188
Operating audio system 190
Operating safety 187
Radio operation 194
Telephone* operation 208
Auto-dimming mirror* 161
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 143
Automatic climate control* 174
Control panel 175
Defrosting, front 179
Rear window defroster 163
Automatic headlamp mode 110
Automatic locking when driving 99
Automatic shift program 157
Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 137Automatic transmission 151
Accelerator position 155
Automatic shift program 157
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 159
Gear ranges 156
Gear selector lever 151
Gear selector lever positions 153
Gear shifting malfunctions 159
Kickdown 155
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch 157
Shifting procedure 152
Automatic transmission*
Fluid level (ATF) 277
Starting engine 47B
Backrest
Driver’s multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 105
Rear seat, folding 234
Seat, manual 35
Seat, power* 37
Backup lamps
Messages in display 352
Replacing bulbs 368
Bar 304
BAS 84
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 366
Checking battery condition 95
Battery, Vehicle 279, 383
Charging 385
Disconnecting and connecting 384
Jump starting 386
Removing and installing 384
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Bolts, Spare wheel 360
Page 432 of 441

431 Index
R
Radio
Operation 190, 194
Search function 142
Selecting stations
(Control system) 127
Radio transmitters 268
Range (distance to empty) 146
Reading lamp 116, 117
Rear bench seat, foldable* 233
Rear door window
Blocking operation 80
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 102
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 173, 186
Rear seat ashtray see Ashtray
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 163
Rear window sunshade* 162
Recommended
tire inflation pressure 306Recovery services,
Stolen vehicle (Tele Aid*) 253
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 412
Refueling 271
Regular checks 273
Remote control, SmartKey 92
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 252
Replacing bulbs
Additional turn signal lamps 373
Backup lamp 374
Brake lamps 374
Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps* 368
Fog lamps 374
Headlamps 368, 370, 372
High beam headlamps 368, 370
License plate lamps 374
Low beam headlamps 370
Parking lamps 371, 373, 374
Side marker lamps 373
Standing lamps 371, 373
Tail lamps 368, 374
Turn signal lamps 371, 373, 374
Reporting safety defects 18
Reset button,
in the instrument cluster 118, 132Residual heat utilization 185
Residual ventilation 185
Restraint system
see Children in the vehicle
see Infant and child restraint systems
see SRS
Reverse gear position,
Automatic transmission* 47, 151, 153
Reverse gear position,
Manual transmission 46
Rims 306, 403
Roadside Assistance 12
Roof rack* 230
Rubber parts, cleaning 318
Run Flat Indicator* 291
Page 433 of 441

432 Index
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 82
Occupant 58
Reporting defects 18
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 197
Seat belt force limiter 72
Seat belts 69
Children in the vehicle 74
Cleaning 319
Fastening 43
Height adjustment 45
Proper use of 45, 70
Safety guidelines 62
Telltale 25
Seat heating* 106
Seating capacity 285Seats, 34, 101
Heating* 106
Lumbar support* 105
Manual 35, 101
Memory function*
(Power seats*) 107
Multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 105
Power* 37, 101
Rear bench seat* 233
Securing cargo 236
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Selector lever see gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 68
Tele Aid* 248
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 397
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator 310
Service life (tires) 282
Service see Maintenance Service system
see FSS (Canada vehicles)
Service, Parts 396Settings
Control system menus
and submenus 124, 125
Date 138
Factory, SmartKey 93
Individual, SmartKey 94
Individual, Vehicle 131
Lighting (control system) 139
Memory function* 107
Menus and submenus 123
Resetting all (control system) 131
Selective, SmartKey 94
Time 136, 137
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 319
Shift lever position indicator 121
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission* 121
Shifting
Automatic transmission* 47
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 150
Manual transmission 46, 150
Shifting, Automatic transmission* 151
Side impact air bags (front and rear*) 64