27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
To dim instrument cluster
illumination
145
3
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
Resetting all settings
146
165
4
To brighten instrument
cluster illumination
145
5
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
6
Clock
Item
Page
7
Speedometer with:-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
414
’Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp
1
lDistance warning
lamp
2
423
1Lamp without function. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is
running.2Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates when the ignition is on.
It should go out when the engine is running.
Item
Page
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
415
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
415
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)
warning lamp
419
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale,
USA only
Low tire pressure
telltale*, Canada only
424
424
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
8
Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer
146
Main odometer
147
9
Tachometer with:
421
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
70,
423
qPreglow indicator
lamp
1
1Vehicles with Diesel engine only.
55
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
417
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
417
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
59,
140
Item
Page
a
Fuel gauge with:Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp
420
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side
352
b
Multifunction display
with:
Outside temperature
display or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)
147,
168
Transmission position
indicator
189
Gear range indicator
193
Selected program mode
indicator
1
196
1AMG vehicles only.
Item
Page
Distance warning func-
tion* indicator
179
Downhill Speed Regula-
tion (DSR) indicator
265
Off-road driving program
indicator
268
Rear window wiper
indicator
62
31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
2
Climate control
206
3-zone automatic climate
control*
220
Rear window defroster
205
3
Seat heating*,
front passenger side
131
4
Seat ventilation*,
front passenger side
132
5
Parktronic system*
deactivation switch
274
6
Vehicle level control
switch*
271
7
Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
89,
426
Item
Page
8
Storage compartment*
296
9
Alarm system indicator
lamp
104
a
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) switch
100
b
Adaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch
269
c
Seat ventilation*,
driver’s side
132
d
Seat heating*, driver’s side
131
e
Switch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)
265
f
Hazard warning flasher
142
g
Switch for Off-road driving
program
ML 63 AMG:
Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission
268
195
38 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
references are located at the end of each
segment.Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKeySmartKey1‹Lock button
2ŠUnlock button* for tailgate
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button (
page 95)
Press unlock buttonŒ on the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
vehicle unlocks. The locking knobs in
the doors move up. The anti-theft alarm
system is disarmed. The locator light-
ing comes on if the feature is enabled
in the control system (
page 172).
Enter the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 108).
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. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
39 Getting started
Unlocking
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*
With the KEYLESS-GO function, you can
lock or unlock the vehicle without using
the remote control buttons on the
SmartKey and start the engine without in-
serting the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
Grasp an outside door handle or the
tailgate handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The ve-
hicle unlocks. The locking knobs in the
doors move up. The anti-theft alarm
system is disarmed. The locator light-
ing comes on if the feature is enabled
in the control system (
page 172).
Enter the vehicle.
For more information, see “SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 112).
Starter switch positions
i
To unlock the vehicle, the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO must be outside the vehicle, no
further than approximately 3 feet (1 meter) away
from the respective door.Warning!
G
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. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
i
If the vehicle has been parked for more than
72 hours, you must pull an outside door handle
in order to activate the KEYLESS-GO function.
Warning!
G
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. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
40 Getting startedUnlockingSmartKeyStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster 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 necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 414).
3Starting position
i
When you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning lamps (ex-
cept high beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) will go
out when the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are operational.
i
When the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch and the automatic transmission is
in a position other thanP, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts toP.
!
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 507).
Get a jump start (
page 515).
To prevent accelerated battery discharge or a
completely discharged battery, always remove
the SmartKey from the starter switch when the
engine is not in operation.
42 Getting startedUnlockingPosition 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or Position 2)
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster 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 necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 414).For information on starting the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 55).
For more information on KEYLESS-GO, see
“SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*”
(page 112).
i
If you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button
once more, the ignition (position
2) is
switched on
twice more, the power supply is again
switched off
i
If you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once more, the power supply
is again switched off.
i
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) in the instrument
cluster come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps if activated)
should go out when the engine is running. This
indicates that the respective systems are
operational.
43 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
SeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 51).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Warning!
G
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.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
i n t h e v e h i c l e , o r w i t h a c c e s s t o a n u n l o c k e d
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats
whenever possible. Regardless of seating
position, children 12 years old and under
must be seated and properly secured in an
appropriate infant, or toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 82).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.