54 Getting startedDriving
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(page 53) once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.
Diesel engine:
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure. Do not depress ac-
celerator.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(page 53) once.
The engine begins to preglow and will
start automatically.
If the engine is at operating temperature,
the preglow indicator lampq may not
stay on and you can start the engine with-
out preglowing:
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(page 53) until the engine is running.Starting difficulties
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 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 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 52). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (
page 464).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
106 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Turn off the engine by means of the
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever.
Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
With KEYLESS-GO*
Start the engine by means of the
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever.
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens:
a door
the trunk
the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when
the vehicle is opened using the
mechanical key
someone opens a door from the inside
i
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system*
(
page 294) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
126 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIllumination of the emergency release but-
ton:
The button will flash for 30 minutes af-
ter opening the trunk.
The button will flash for 60 minutes af-
ter closing the trunk.
Valet locking
1Neutral position
2Locked
Close the trunk (
page 122).
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 436).
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
i
The emergency release button does not
open the trunk, if the vehicle battery is dis-
charged or disconnected.
i
If the vehicle has previously been locked us-
ing the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, opening the
trunk from the inside using the emergency re-
lease button will trigger the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the following:
Insert the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Press button Œ or ‹ on the SmartKey
or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Pull an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be
within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 39).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be
inside the vehicle.
i
To deny any unauthorized person access to
the trunk, e.g. when you valet park the vehicle,
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave
only the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* less its mechanical key with the
vehicle.
412 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is malfunctioning.
The brake system requires electrical en-
ergy and therefore has only limited oper-
ation. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping dis-
tance is increased.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as it is safe to do so. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Low voltage
Start engine
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 52).
(
Right rear backrest
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.
Adjust the rear seat backrest until it is
fully engaged in position.
Left rear backrest
not locked
The rear seat backrest is not engaged.
Adjust the rear seat backrest until it is
fully engaged in position.
2
Brakepad wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually in-
spected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
461 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting the battery
Apply the parking brake (
page 62).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
!
As with any other battery, disconnect the
battery if you do not intend to operate your vehi-
cle for an extended period of time to prevent bat-
tery discharge or connect an accessory battery
charge unit expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to main-
tain the battery charge. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
The battery, the battery ventilation hose and the
lateral plug must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
!
Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
!
Always disconnect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s
electronics can be damaged.
462 Practical hintsBattery
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start/stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Open the trunk.
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 331) and
(
page 460).
Remove the luggage box (
page 433).
Disconnect the negative lead from neg-
ative terminal2 (
page 460).
Remove cover1 (
page 460) from
the positive terminal.
Disconnect the positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket3
(page 460).
Pull out the battery ventilation hose4
(page 460) from the battery (de-
pending on battery arrangement in
your vehicle model, the ventilation
hose is located either on the left or
right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the batteryWarning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit* approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit* specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
467 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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 ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised (not permissible for vehicles with
4MATIC), the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may
be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!
Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
i
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO
* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 127).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the selected turn
signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
i
The gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. For more information see “Batter-
ies” (page 460) or “Jump starting”
(
page 464).
For information on manual unlocking of the gear
selector lever, see (
page 438).