287 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Cover
2Sliding button
Opening ashtray
Briefly press the marking on the bot-
tom of cover1.
The cover opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.
Push sliding button2 to the right and
hold.
Grip and remove insert from ashtray
frame.Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install insert by pushing it back into
frame until it engages again.
Rear door ashtray
1Sliding button
2Insert slides out
3Ashtray
Opening rear door ashtray
Briefly press the top of the ashtray3.
The ashtray opens.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector
lever in positionN, turn off the engine.
290 Controls in detailUseful featuresSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (
page 37).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow1 (
page 289).
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp3 (
page 289) comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 289).
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. Indicator lamp3 (
page 289)
goes out.
For information on steering wheel, see
“Multifunction steering wheel”
(
page 152).
Floormats
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
i
The steering wheel heating is temporarily
suspended while indicator lamp3
(
page 289) remains on when
the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)
the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.
i
Indicator lamp3 (
page 289) flashes or
goes out
in case of power surge or undervoltage
in case of a steering wheel heating malfunc-
tion
i
The steering wheel heating switches off au-
tomatically when you remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch or, on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*, when you switch off the ignition
(
page 64) and open the driver’s door.
i
To install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 43).
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets 2 and retainer pins1.
291 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND
1 (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System) if road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements.
317 Operation
Driving instructions
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(page 364).
Standing water
Passenger compartmentDriving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water
of unknown depth. Before driving through water,
determine its depth. Never accelerate before
driving into water. The bow wave could force wa-
ter into the engine and auxiliary equipment, thus
damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water, drive
slowly to prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine compart-
ment. Water in these areas could cause damage
to electrical components or wiring of the engine
or transmission, or could result in water being in-
gested by the engine through the air intake caus-
ing severe internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
327 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull handle2 to its stop out of radia-
tor grille.
Lift bottom of hood at edge of radiator
grille.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts. Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and endanger you and others.
i
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies. Us-
ing special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Center.
403 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
(USA only)Front passenger
airbag enabled
See Operator’s Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual, or
object below the system’s weight
threshold is on the front passen-
ger seat, or the front passenger
seat is empty. Objects on the seat
or forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense supple-
mental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the
front passenger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake.
Switch off the ignition (
page 38).
Open the front passenger door.
Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and
properly secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint
if necessary.
Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger
seat and make sure the storage pocket on the back of the front pas-
senger seat is empty.
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are
present (e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind
or around the seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The
system may recognize such forces as supplemental weight and
sense that an occupant on the front passenger seat is of a greater
weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and turn
on the ignition (
page 38).
(Continued on next page)
432 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is in the storage compart-
ment at the front edge of the front passen-
ger seat.
1Tab
Pull tab1 upward.
Fold the covering forward.
Remove the first aid kit.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift the trunk floor and engage the han-
dle in the upper edge of trunk.
Remove the luggage box (
page 433).
1Vehicle tool kit
Wheel bolt wrench and jack
2Spare wheel
3Luggage bowlRemoving the spare wheel
Turn luggage bowl3 counterclock-
wise.
Remove spare wheel2.
Storing the spare wheel
Place spare wheel2 in wheel well.
Turn luggage bowl3 clockwise to its
stop to secure the spare wheel.
i
Check expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and replace
missing/expired items.
i
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(E 63 AMG only):
The electric air pump is located in the storage
wheel casing.
!
Always lower trunk floor before closing
trunk.
Warning!
G
The dimension of the Minispare wheel is dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted.
The spare wheel should only be used tempo-
rarily, and replaced with a regular road
wheel as quickly as possible.
434 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor
(page 432).
The vehicle tool kit includes:
One pair of universal pliers
One towing eye bolt
One wheel wrench
One alignment bolt
One fuse extractor
Spare fuses
Collapsible wheel chock
A pair of gloves
Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate
Tilt both plates upward1.
Fold the lower plate outward2.
Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
Vehicle jackWarning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.