36 Getting startedThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will provide you with further
information. The corresponding page refer-
ences are located at the end of each seg-
ment.Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKeySmartKey with remote control1‹Lock button
2ŠOpening button for trunk
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button
Press unlock buttonŒ on the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
An acoustic signal sounds once.
The locking knobs in the doors
move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Get in the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.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. A child’s un-
supervised access to a vehicle could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
39 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine with
the SmartKey, see “SmartKey”
(page 102).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is inside
the vehicle, pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector le-
ver corresponds to turning the SmartKey
to the various starter switch positions.
If you firmly depress the brake pedal dur-
ing pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the engine starts automatically.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in
position P.
i
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch posi-
tion 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case, the
steering is locked. To unlock, remove SmartKey
from the starter switch and reinsert.
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be sufficient-
ly charged.
Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(page 420).
Get a jump start (
page 423).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged vehicle battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch when the engine is not in operation.
i
The function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.
44 Getting startedAdjustingYou can individually adjust side
cushions1 of the comfort head re-
straints.
Adjusting side cushions
Pull or push sides1 into desired posi-
tion.
Adjusting forward or backward
Pull or push head restraint in direction
of arrow2.
For more information on seats, see “Seats”
(
page 120).
Steering wheel Steering wheel adjustment
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
or
Open the driver’s door.
Adjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk in direction of arrows1
until a comfortable steering wheel posi-
tion is reached with your arms slightly
bent at the elbow.
i
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock your vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the steering wheel adjustment feature can
be operated when the driver’s door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
52 Getting startedDrivingStarting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
gear selector lever.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Locking with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 62).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure. Do not depress
accelerator.
The selector lever lock is released.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO.
Or:
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO.
Repeat the starting procedure
(page 51). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (
page 423).
Warning!
G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle.
56 Getting startedDrivingThe combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
i
To signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press combination switch only
to point of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three times.
!
Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield is dry. Dust that accumulates on a wind-
shield might scratch the glass and/or damage
the wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield. If it is necessary to operate the wip-
ers in dry weather conditions, always operate
the wipers with windshield washer fluid
(
page 58).
!
If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediate-
ly.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location
turn off the engine by turning the
SmartKey to position0 and withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in
position0, same as with SmartKey re-
moved from starter switch)
before attempting to remove any blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on again.
76 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySelf-test Occupant Classification Sys-
tem (USA only)
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice, the 75 indicator lamp
located in the center console illuminates. If
an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
front passenger seat and the system sens-
es the occupant as being an adult, the
75 indicator lamp will illumi-
nate and go out after approximately
6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 75 indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out. For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 353).BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system (Canada only)
175indicator lamp
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child
seats, designed for use with the
Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, are
required for use with the BabySmart
TM
air bag deactivation system. With the
special child seat properly installed, the
front passenger front air bag will not
deploy.
Warning!
G
If the 75 indicator lamp should
not illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the Occupant Classifi-
cation System. The bottom of the child seat
must make full contact with the passenger
seat cushion. An incorrectly mounted child
seat could cause injuries to the child in case
of an accident, instead of increasing protec-
tion for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
77 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
The 75indicator lamp locat-
ed in the center console will be illuminat-
ed, except with the SmartKey removed or
in starter switch position0.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special
child seat installed (Canada only)
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice, the 75indicator lamp
located in the center console comes on for
approximately 6 seconds and then goes
out.
If the 75indicator lamp
should not come on or is continuously lit,
the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
before seating any child on the passenger
seat.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (page 355).
i
The system does not deactivate the side im-
pact air bag, the window curtain air bag and the
Emergency Tensioning Device.
Warning!
G
The BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation sys-
tem will ONLY work with a special child seat
designed to operate with it. It will not work
with child seats which are not BabySmart
TM
compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the deactivation sys-
tem. The bottom of the child seat must
make full contact with the passenger seat
cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat
could cause injuries to the child in case of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.
Warning!
G
When using a BabySmart
TM compatible child
seat on the front passenger seat, the front
passenger front air bag will not deploy only
if the 75indicator lamp re-
mains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every
time you use the special system child seat.
Should the indicator lamp go out while the
restraint is installed, please check installa-
tion. If the indicator lamp remains out, do
not use the BabySmart
TM restraint to trans-
port children on the front passenger seat un-
til the system has been repaired.
89 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Blocking of rear door window operation
You can disable select functions in the rear
passenger compartment for added safety
(for instance when you have children riding
in the rear passenger compartment).
You can disable the following functions in
the rear passenger compartment:
rear door windows operation
12-V power outlet in the rear center
console
1Override switch
2Indicator lamp
Press override switch1.Indicator lamp2 comes on. The func-
tions in the rear are disabled.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d t o t h e
right and left side anchors2.
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident which could result
in serious personal injury or death to the
child.
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat mounting fittings must be re-
placed.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.
i
Operation of the rear door windows with the
switches located on the door control panel of the
driver’s door is still possible.Warning!
G
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle.
The children may otherwise injure them-
selves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the win-
dow opening.
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. access to an unlocked ve-
hicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a ve-
hicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.