
Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Door control panel................................ 34
Getting started................................... 35
Unlocking ............................................. 36
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 36
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 37
Starter switch positions .................. 37
Adjusting .............................................. 41
Seats .............................................. 41
Steering wheel ................................ 45
Mirrors ............................................ 47
Driving .................................................. 49
Fastening the seat belts ................. 49
Starting the engine ......................... 52
Parking brake ................................. 55
Driving ............................................ 55
Switching on headlamps ................. 56
Turn signals .................................... 57
Windshield wipers ........................... 58
Problems while driving.................... 60
Parking and locking .............................. 61
Parking brake ................................. 62
Switching off headlamps................. 63
Turning off engine ........................... 63
Releasing seat belts........................ 64
Locking ........................................... 64

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 67
Occupant safety................................... 68
Air bags .......................................... 70
Occupant Classification System
(USA only) ...................................... 75
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system (Canada only) ..................... 81
Seat belts ....................................... 82
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE®) ................................... 86
Active head restraints .................... 87
Children in the vehicle .................... 88
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 95
Panic alarm .......................................... 96
Activating ....................................... 96
Deactivating ................................... 96
Driving safety systems ......................... 97
ABS ................................................ 97
BAS ................................................ 99
Adaptive Brake ............................... 99
EBP............................................... 100
ESP
®............................................. 100
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®... 105Anti-theft systems ............................. 106
Immobilizer .................................. 106
Anti-theft alarm system................ 106
Controls in detail............................. 109
Locking and unlocking ....................... 110
SmartKey ..................................... 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 113
Checking batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 119
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 119
Opening the doors from the
inside ........................................... 119
Opening the trunk ........................ 120
Closing the trunk.......................... 122
Trunk emergency release ............. 125
Valet locking ................................ 126
Automatic central locking ............ 127
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 127 Seats ................................................ 129
Front seat active head restraints . 129
Rear seat head restraints ............. 129
Lumbar support ........................... 131
Multicontour seat*....................... 131
Seat heating*............................... 132
Seat ventilation* .......................... 133
Memory function ............................... 134
Storing positions into memory ..... 135
Recalling positions from memory. 135
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 136
Lighting ............................................. 137
Exterior lamp switch .................... 137
Combination switch ..................... 141
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* ......................................... 142
Hazard warning flasher ................ 144
Interior lighting in the front .......... 145
Interior lighting in the rear ........... 146
Door entry lamps ......................... 147
Trunk lamps ................................. 147

Contents
Instrument cluster ............................. 148
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 148
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 149
Trip odometer .............................. 149
Tachometer .................................. 149
Outside temperature indicator ..... 150
Control system .................................. 151
Multifunction display .................... 151
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 152
Menus .......................................... 154
Standard display menu ................ 157
AMG menu ................................... 157
AUDIO menu ................................ 161
NAV* menu .................................. 163
Distronic* menu........................... 163
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 164
Settings menu .............................. 166
Trip computer menu..................... 179
TEL* menu ................................... 181
Automatic transmission ..................... 184
Gear selector lever ....................... 184
Shifting procedure ....................... 185
Gear selector lever positions ....... 186
Driving tips ................................... 188Gear ranges .................................. 189
Automatic shift program ............... 190
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 191
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 192
Manual shift program E 63 AMG ... 194
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 197
Good visibility ..................................... 198
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 198
Rear view mirrors .......................... 198
Sun visors ..................................... 201
Rear window sunshade* ............... 202
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors
(Canada only) ................................ 202
Rear window defroster .................. 203
Dual-zone automatic climate control .. 204
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 209
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 209
Setting the temperature................ 210
Adjusting air distribution............... 211
Adjusting air volume ..................... 212
Front defroster.............................. 212Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 214
Air recirculation mode .................. 214
Air conditioning ............................ 217
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 218
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 219
4-zone automatic climate control ....... 220
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 225
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 226
Setting the temperature ............... 227
Adjusting air distribution .............. 228
Adjusting air volume ..................... 229
Front defroster ............................. 229
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 230
Air recirculation mode .................. 231
Air conditioning ............................ 233
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 234
Rear climate control ..................... 235

ContentsPower windows .................................. 237
Opening and closing the windows 237
Synchronizing power windows ..... 239
Summer opening feature .............. 239
Convenience closing feature ........ 240
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 242
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 242
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 244
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 245
Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel ........ 245
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 246
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 248
Driving systems ................................. 249
Cruise control............................... 249
Distronic*..................................... 252
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)
(only available on E 550,
E 550 4MATIC, E 63 AMG) ........... 265Parktronic system
(Parking assist)*........................... 269
Loading .............................................. 273
Roof rack*.................................... 273
Ski bag* (Canada only) ................ 274
Split rear bench seat* .................. 276
Expanding the cargo area*........... 279
Loading instructions..................... 279
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 280
Retaining hooks ........................... 281
Useful features .................................. 282
Storage compartments ................ 282
Cup holders.................................. 284
Ashtrays ....................................... 287
Cigarette lighter ........................... 288
Power outlet................................. 289
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only) ............................... 289
Floormats ..................................... 290
Telephone* .................................. 291
Tele Aid ........................................ 294
Garage door opener ..................... 301
Operation......................................... 307
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 308
Driving instructions ........................... 309
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 309
Drinking and driving ..................... 309
Pedals .......................................... 309
Power assistance ......................... 310
Brakes.......................................... 310
Driving off .................................... 312
Parking......................................... 313
Tires ............................................. 313
Hydroplaning................................ 314
Tire traction ................................. 314
Tire speed rating .......................... 315
Winter driving instructions ........... 316
Standing water............................. 317
Passenger compartment .............. 317
Driving abroad ............................. 317
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 318
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 318
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 319
Emission control .......................... 319
Coolant temperature.................... 320

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 321
Refueling ...................................... 321
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 323
Engine compartment ......................... 325
Hood ............................................ 325
Engine oil ..................................... 327
Transmission fluid level ................ 329
Coolant level ................................ 330
Battery ......................................... 331
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 332
Tires and wheels ................................ 333
Important guidelines .................... 333
Tire care and maintenance........... 334
Direction of rotation ..................... 336
Loading the vehicle ...................... 336
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 341
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 342
Tire labeling.................................. 350
Load identification ....................... 354
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 355
Maximum tire load ....................... 356
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 357Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 357
Tire ply material ............................ 359
Tire and loading terminology......... 359
Rotating tires ................................ 362
Winter driving ..................................... 364
Winter tires ................................... 364
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 365
Snow chains.................................. 365
Maintenance....................................... 366
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 366
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 368
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 368
Vehicle care........................................ 369
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 369
Practical hints.................................. 379
What to do if … ................................... 380
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 380
Lamp in center console ................ 393
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 396
Where will I find ...? ............................ 432
First aid kit.................................... 432
Spare wheel .................................. 432
Luggage box ................................. 433
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 434
Vehicle jack .................................. 434
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 436
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 436
Locking the vehicle ....................... 437
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 438
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 439
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ......................... 439
Resetting activated head restraints.... 440
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 441
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 441

ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 443
Bulbs ............................................ 443
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 446
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 448
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 450
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position ........................................ 450
Removing wiper blades ................ 451
Installing wiper blades.................. 451
Flat tire .............................................. 452
Preparing the vehicle.................... 452
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 452
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 459
Battery ............................................... 460
Disconnecting the battery ............ 461
Removing the battery ................... 462
Charging and reinstalling the
battery.......................................... 462
Reconnecting the battery ............. 463
Jump starting ..................................... 464
Towing the vehicle ............................. 466
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 468Fuses ................................................. 469
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ............................... 470
Fuse box in trunk ......................... 470
Technical data................................. 473
Parts service ...................................... 474
Warranty coverage............................. 475
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 475
Identification labels ........................... 476
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 478
E 320 BLUETEC ............................ 478
E 350 / E 550 ............................... 478
E 63 AMG ..................................... 478
Engine................................................ 479
Rims and tires.................................... 481
Same size tires ............................. 482
Mixed size tires ............................ 485
Spare wheel ................................. 487
Electrical system ............................... 488
Main dimensions and weights............ 489
Main dimensions .......................... 489
Weights ........................................ 490Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 491
Capacities .................................... 491
Engine oils ................................... 495
Engine oil additives ...................... 495
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 495
Brake fluid.................................... 495
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine).......................... 496
Fuel requirements ........................ 496
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine).......................... 497
Coolants ...................................... 498
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 500
Index................................................. 501

14 IntroductionWhere to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:
this Operator’s Manual
the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.

284 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Cup holders
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.