15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.
SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc.The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your
vehicle.
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
a procedure which is continued
on the next page.
This continuation symbol marks
a warning which is continued on
the next page.
-> This symbol is used to indicate
cross-references to term defina-
tions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display and Audio dis-
play 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 dam-
age to your vehicle.
iHelpful hints or further information you may
find useful.
58 Getting started
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows:Parking brake
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible 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.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or
damage to the vehicle or the vehicle
drivetrain, as a result of vehicle movement,
always do the following before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle:
Keep right foot firmly on brake pedal.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, always turn
the front wheels towards the road curb.
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
Do not engage the parking brake while the
vehicle is in motion. Doing so can cause the
rear wheels to lock up. You could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident. In
addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged,
which could endanger other road users.
127 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and the parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position1 or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button pressed once, only
the parking lamps and the side marker
lamps will switch on and off
automatically.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off
unexpectedly when the system senses
bright ambient light, for example light
from oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others,
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and / or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position U to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.
iUSA only:
With the automatic headlamp mode activated
you can switch on the high beam headlamps in
low ambient lighting conditions.
174 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to park positionP. Otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.
427 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high
humidity, driving the vehicle a distance with the
lights on should clear up the fogging.
iBack-up bulbs will be brought into use when
lamps malfunction. Read and observe the
messages in the multifunction display
(
page 397).
429 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement
Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors
High mounted brake lamp
Bi-Xenon* lamps
Front fog lamps
Front side marker lamps
Warning!G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
!Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the
vehicle. Only have the LEDs replaced by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
432 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Reinsert bulb holder4 with the bulb in
the lamp and turn clockwise.
Align housing cover2 and turn it
clockwise.
Front turn signal lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket1 counterclockwise
and remove it.
Press gently onto the bulb and turn
counterclockwise out of bulb
socket1.
Press the new bulb gently into bulb
socket1 and turn clockwise until it
engages.
Place bulb socket1 back into the
lamp and turn it clockwise.
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Turn housing cover2 counterclock-
wise and remove it.
Pull out bulb socket5 with the bulb.
Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket5.
Press the new bulb into bulb socket5.
Press bulb socket5 back into the
lamp.
Align housing cover2 and turn it
clockwise.
Additional turn signal lamps
The additional turn signal lamps in the ex-
terior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to func-
tion, the entire turn signal unit must be re-
placed. Have the additional turn signal unit
replaced by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Front side marker lamp
Since replacing the side marker lamp bulbs
is a technically highly demanding process,
we recommend you have the side marker
lamp bulbs replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 126).
Tail lamp unit
Open trunk lid.
Swing the trim panel covering the cor-
responding rear lights to the side.
1Connector
2Tab
Disconnect electrical connector1.