255 Controls in detail
Soft top
Soft top
Opening and closing the soft top
For safety reasons, the soft top can only be
opened and closed when the vehicle is
standing still.
Warning!G
Before operating the switch for the soft top,
make sure no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (roll bars, soft top frame, and
soft top compartment cover).
Hands must never be placed near the roll
bar, soft top frame, upper windshield area,
shelf behind roll bar, or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being
raised or lowered. Serious personal injury
may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the soft
top switch. This immediately interrupts the
raising or lowering procedure. You then can
operate the soft top switch to raise or lower
the soft top away from the danger zone.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!Never sit or place heavy objects on the rear
shelf. Doing so could cause damage to the soft
top and the rear shelf.
!When opening and closing the soft top,
make sure:
there is sufficient clearance for the soft top
to move up
the luggage cover is engaged in place
(
page 260)
the trunk is only loaded to the height of the
luggage cover
the luggage/cargo does not push the closed
luggage cover up
the trunk lid is closed
nothing is placed on the soft top compart-
ment cover
the outside temperature is above +5°F
(-15°C)
Otherwise the soft top and other parts of the ve-
hicle could be damaged.
259 Controls in detail
Soft top
Opening and closing the soft top with
the SmartKey
The windows will also be opened or closed
when you operate the soft top with the
SmartKey.
Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* at the
driver’s outside door handle. The
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* must be in close proxim-
ity to the driver’s outside door handle.Opening (Summer opening feature)
Press and hold button Œ until the
soft top is completely open.
The windows and soft top begin to
open after approximately one second.
During the opening procedure the mul-
tifunction display shows the message
Top in operation.
Release transmit button Œ to inter-
rupt procedure.
Make sure the soft top is fully opened.
Closing (Convenience feature)
Press and hold button ‹until the
soft top is completely closed.
The windows and soft top begin to
close after approximately one second.
During the closing procedure the multi-
function display shows the message
Top in operation.
Release transmit button ‹to inter-
rupt procedure.
Warning!G
Before operating the soft top, make sure no
persons can be injured by the moving parts
(roll bar, soft top frame, and soft top com-
partment cover) due to negligence.
Hands must never be placed near the roll
bar, soft top frame, upper windshield area,
shelf behind roll bar, or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being
raised or lowered. Serious personal injury
may occur.
If potential dangers exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You then can operate Œ to
lower or ‹to raise the soft top away
from the danger zone.
282 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 38).1Cover
2Cigarette lighter
Briefly press the bottom of cover
plate1.
The cover plate opens automatically.
Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Push down cover plate1 to close
ashtray.
The cover plate engages.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!The lighter socket can accommodate 12V
DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum of
85 W) designed for use with the standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, however,
that connecting accessories to the lighter socket
(for example extensive connecting and discon-
necting, or using plugs that do not fit properly)
can damage the lighter socket. With the socket
damaged, the lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) position, or the
lighter may pop out too early with the lighter not
hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlet (
page 283) in your vehicle when-
ever possible.
285 Controls in detail
Useful features
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for in-
formation on features available for your
mobile phone of choice.
The cradle is located in the front center
armrest.
Open telephone compartment
(
page 278).
Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device to respond dur-
ing phone calls.
If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions
as well.
Example illustration
1Insert the mobile phone
2Connector contact
3Mobile phone cradle
Slide the lower end of the mobile phone
into connector contact 2 on
cradle3.
Push the top of the mobile phone in di-
rection of arrow 1, until the lug on the
mobile phone release button engages.
The mobile phone is connected to the
network via the external antenna.
The mobile phone is linked to the
hands-free device and the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
The battery is charged depending on its
charge status and the position of the
SmartKey in the starter switch. The
charge procedure will be indicated in
the mobile phone’s display.
You can place or receive phone calls. You
can control other functions of the mobile
phone via the control system
(
page 167), audio system (page 234),
COMAND* (see separate operating
instructions).
!Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.
iWhen you take the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* out of the starter switch, the
mobile phone remains switched on for approx.
10 minutes. If you place or receive a call during
this time, the mobile phone switches off
10 minutes after the call has been completed.
305 Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be re-
placed.The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject to extreme operating con-
ditions (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
ambient temperatures).
Turn the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button.
Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.
Warning!G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Warning!G
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
312 Operation
At the gas station
Refueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks/un-
locks the fuel filler flap.1To open the fuel filler flap
2To insert the fuel filler capTurn the engine off
by turning the SmartKey to
position0. Remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
by pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button. Open the driv-
er’s door (with driver’s door open,
starter switch is now in position0,
same as with SmartKey removed
from starter switch).
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious per-
sonal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors can damage to your
health.
iIn cases where the central locking system is
not releasing the fuel filler flap, or the opening
mechanism is clamping, notify Roadside Assis-
tance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
357 Operation
Vehicle care
is neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.Power washer
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”. This should
normally be done every 3 to 5 months,
depending on the climate and washing
detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up
Stick for quick and provisional repairs
of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from
stones, vehicle doors, etc.).
!Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on maintaining a
distance between the vehicle and the nozzle of
the power washer.
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash tires.
The intense jet of water can result in damage to
the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface. Do not aim directly at electrical parts,
electrical connectors, seals, or other rubber
parts.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft
(approximately 1 m), the vehicle could be inad-
vertently locked or unlocked.
!Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape or
similar materials to painted body components
may damage the paintwork.
358 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical
components and connectors from contact
with water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an
automatic car wash from the start.
Automatic car washes without brushes are
preferable.
To protect the filter system, switch the
climate control or automatic climate
control to air recirculation mode, see
“Air recirculation” (
page 189) for
climate control or (
page 199) for
automatic climate control.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it
before running it through the automatic
car wash.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close
proximity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft
(approximately 1 m), the vehicle could be
inadvertently locked or unlocked.
!Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you nay scratch or damage the paint.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the soft
top, paint, or ornamental moldings.