Page 41 of 522

40 Getting startedUnlockingIgnition (or position 2)
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 
twice.
This supplies power for all electrical 
consumers. All lamps in the instrument 
cluster (except low beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, high beam headlamp indi-
cator lamp, and turn signal indicator 
lamps unless activated) come on. If a 
lamp in the instrument cluster fails to 
come on when the ignition is switched 
on, have it checked and replaced if nec-
essary. If a lamp in the instrument clus-
ter remains on after starting the engine 
or comes on while driving, see “Lamps 
in instrument cluster” (
page 380).For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button, 
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*” 
(
page 53).
i
If you now press the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button once, the power supply is 
again switched off.
i
When you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except low beam head-
lamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp 
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps 
unless activated) in the instrument cluster come 
on. The indicator and warning lamps (except low 
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator 
lamps if activated) should go out when the en-
gine is running. This indicates that the respective 
systems are operational. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 57 of 522

56 Getting startedDrivingAfter a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. 
This allows the catalytic converter 
(gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst 
(diesel engine) to reach its operating tem-
perature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 309).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the 
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionB.
The low beam headlamps and the low 
beam headlamp indicator lampB in 
the instrument cluster come on 
(page 26).
!
If you hear a warning signal and the mes-
sage Release parking brake
 appears in the 
multifunction display when driving off, you have 
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 62).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift 
in order to obtain braking action. This could 
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofP orN if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly 
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You 
could lose control of the vehicle and hit 
someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when 
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator 
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine 
performance and causes premature brake and 
drivetrain wear.
 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 58 of 522
57 Getting started
Driving
High beam
The combination switch is located on the 
left of the steering column.Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1.
The high beam headlamps and the high 
beam headlamp indicator lampA in 
the instrument cluster come on 
(page 142).
For more information on headlamps, see 
“Lighting” (
page 137).
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the 
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator 
lamp L or K in the instrument 
cluster flashes (
page 27).The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 60 of 522

59 Getting started
Driving
Intermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under 
wet weather conditions or in the presence 
of precipitation.
Turn the combination switch to 
positionU or V.
The wipers move across the wind-
shield. Afterward, the wiping intervals 
are determined by the wetness of the 
windshield.After the initial wipe, pauses between 
wipes are automatically controlled by the 
rain sensor.
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in 
direction of arrow2 (
page 58) to 
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time 
without washer fluid.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 58) past the 
resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with 
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the windshield 
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer 
system and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 332).
!
Do not leave windshield wipers in 
intermittent setting when the vehicle is taken to 
an automatic car wash or during windshield 
cleaning. Windshield wipers will operate in the 
presence of water sprayed on the windshield, 
and windshield wipers may be damaged as a re-
sult.
!
If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on 
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects 
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an 
undesired fashion. This could then damage the 
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows. 
You should therefore switch off the windshield 
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
i
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the 
vehicle is at a standstill and a door is opened. 
This protects persons getting into or out of the 
vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when
all doors are closed 
and
the gear selector lever is in positionD or R
or
the wiper setting is changed using the com-
bination switch
i
To prevent smears on the windshield or 
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with wind-
shield washer fluid every now and then even 
when it is raining. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 64 of 522

63 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM 
(page 56).
For more information, see “Lighting” 
(
page 137).
Turning off engine 
Move the gear selector lever to 
positionP.
Apply the parking brake (
page 62).Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
(page 38) to position0 and remove 
it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is 
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline, 
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or 
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to 
shifting to positionP. 
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels 
towards the road curb.
i
Always set the parking brake in addition to 
shifting to positionP.
On slopes, turn the front wheels towards the 
road curb.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed from the 
starter switch with the gear selector lever in 
positionP. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 66 of 522
65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Exit the vehicle and close all doors and 
the trunk.
Locking with the SmartKey
After exiting the vehicle, press lock 
button‹ on the SmartKey 
(page 36).
All turn signal lamps flash three 
times.
An acoustic signal sounds three 
times.
The locking knobs in the doors 
move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
armed.
For more information, see the “Controls in 
detail” section (
page 110).Locking with KEYLESS-GO*
1Lock button
After exiting the vehicle, press lock 
button1 on an outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash three 
times.
An acoustic signal sounds three 
times.
The locking knobs in the doors 
move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
armed.
For more information, see “SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 113).
i
If you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the headlamps before opening 
the driver’s door.
In addition the message 
Switch off lights 
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the headlamps. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 121 of 522

120 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Front doors
Pull on door handle2 on the respec-
tive front door to open door.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will 
move up.
Rear doors
Pull up locking knob1 on the 
respective rear door to unlock door.
Pull on door handle2 on the 
respective rear door to open door.
Opening the trunk
You can open the trunk if the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
A minimum height clearance of 5.90 ft 
(1.80 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
i
If the vehicle has previously been locked 
with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, opening a 
door from the inside will trigger the anti-theft 
alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the following:
Press button Œ or ‹ on the SmartKey 
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
Insert the SmartKey or SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 
(page 39).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be 
inside the vehicle.
Pull an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be 
within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
i
If you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the headlamps before opening 
the driver’s door.
In addition the message 
Switch off lights 
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the headlamps.
Warning!
G
Make sure the trunk is closed when the en-
gine is running and while driving. Among 
other dangers, such as blocked visibility, ex-
haust fumes may enter the vehicle interior. 
These fumes are damaging to your health.!
The trunk lid swings open upwards automat-
ically. Always make sure there is sufficient over-
head clearance. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 138 of 522

137 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
For information on how to switch on the 
headlamps and use the turn signals, see 
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 56) 
and see “Turn signals” (
page 57).
Exterior lamp switchExterior lamp switch
i
If you drive in countries where vehicles drive 
on the other side of the road than the country 
where the vehicle is registered, you must have 
the headlamps modified for symmetrical low 
beams. Relevant information can be obtained at 
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
Vehicles equipped with active Bi-Xenon* 
headlamps:
The active Bi-Xenon headlamps monitor your 
steering angle and driving speed, then automati-
cally shift their beams to either side to better fol-
low the curvature of the road ahead, increasing 
usable illumination over conventional head-
lamps.
1‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two 
stops)
2ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left 
one stop)
3M
Off
Daytime running lamp mode 
(page 139)
4U
Automatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode 
(page 139)
5C
Parking lamps (also side marker 
lamps, tail lamps, license plate 
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
6B
Low beam headlamps or high 
beam headlamps when the com-
bination switch is pushed for-
ward. The tail lamps, license 
plate lamps, side marker lamps, 
parking lamps and instrument 
panel lamps also come on.
7‡
Front fog lamps
8†
Rear fog lamp