Contents
Control system .................................. 159
Multifunction display .................... 159
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 160
Menus .......................................... 162
Standard display menu ................ 166
AMG menu ................................... 168
AUDIO menu ................................ 171
Navi* menu .................................. 173
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 174
Distronic* menu........................... 174
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 174
Settings menu .............................. 176
Distance warning function* ......... 191
Trip computer menu..................... 191
TEL menu* ................................... 193
Automatic transmission ..................... 197
Gear selector lever ....................... 197
Shifting procedure ....................... 200
Transmission positions................. 201
Driving tips ................................... 203
Gear ranges ................................. 205
Automatic shift program .............. 206Steering wheel gearshift control ... 207
Manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only)............................ 209
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 211
Good visibility ..................................... 212
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 212
Rear view mirrors.......................... 212
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors* ........................................ 214
Sun visors ..................................... 215
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 216
Rear window defroster .................. 217
Climate control ................................... 218
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 222
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 222
Setting the temperature................ 223
Adjusting air distribution............... 223
Adjusting air volume ..................... 224
Front defroster.............................. 224
Air recirculation mode .................. 226
Air conditioning............................. 228
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 229
Rear climate control*.................... 2293-zone automatic climate control* ..... 232
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 236
Operating the automatic
climate control system in
automatic mode............................ 237
Setting the temperature ............... 237
Adjusting air distribution .............. 238
Adjusting air volume ..................... 239
Front defroster ............................. 239
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 240
Air recirculation mode .................. 240
Air conditioning ............................ 243
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones........................ 244
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 244
Rear automatic climate control
(second row) ................................ 245
Rear automatic climate control
(second and third row)* ................ 249
Power windows .................................. 251
Opening and closing ..................... 251
Synchronizing the door windows .. 254
Summer opening feature .............. 254
Convenience closing feature......... 256
Contents
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 358
Emission control .......................... 358
Coolant temperature .................... 359
At the gas station .............................. 360
Refueling ...................................... 360
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 362
Engine compartment ......................... 364
Hood ............................................ 364
Engine oil ..................................... 366
Transmission fluid level ................ 370
Coolant level ................................ 370
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 372
Tires and wheels ................................ 373
Important guidelines .................... 373
Tire care and maintenance........... 374
Direction of rotation ..................... 375
Loading the vehicle ...................... 376
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 380
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 382
Tire labeling.................................. 391
Load identification ....................... 395DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ................................ 396
Maximum tire load ........................ 397
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 398
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 398
Tire ply material ............................ 400
Tire and loading terminology......... 401
Rotating tires ................................ 404
Winter driving ..................................... 405
Winter tires ................................... 405
Snow chains.................................. 406
Maintenance....................................... 407
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 407
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 409
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 409
Vehicle care........................................ 410
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 410
Practical hints.................................. 419
What to do if … ................................... 420
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 420
Lamp in center console ................ 431
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 433
Where will I find ...? ............................ 472
First aid kit.................................... 472
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 472
Spare wheel .................................. 475
Unlocking / locking in an emergency .. 478
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 478
Locking the vehicle ....................... 479
Fuel filler flap ................................ 479
Opening / closing in an emergency..... 481
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 481
Resetting activated head restraints.... 482
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 483
Replacing bulbs .................................. 484
Bulbs............................................. 484
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 487
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 491
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 494
Front wiper blades ........................ 494
Rear wiper blade ........................... 495
15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
a procedure which is continued
on the next page.
This continuation symbol marks
a warning which is continued on
the next page.
-> This symbol is used to indicate
cross-references to term defini-
tions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.
!Highlights hazards that may result in dam-
age to your vehicle.
iHelpful hints or further information you may
find useful.
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer157
Main odometer159
9Tachometer with:
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp72,
430
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
USA only423
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
Canada only423
ItemPage
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator150
qPreglow indicator
lamp1
aFuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp430
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side360
1Vehicles with diesel engine only.
ItemPage
bMultifunction display with:
Outside temperature
display or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)159,
180
Transmission position
indicator201
Gear range indicator205
Selected program mode
indicator206
Distance warning function
indicator*284
Rear window wiper
indicator62
30 At a glance
Multifunction steering wheel
ItemPage
1Multifunction display159
Operating the control
system160
2Selecting the submenu or
setting the volume:
Press button
æup / to increase
çdown / to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an
incoming call
ItemPage
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
6Voice Control*1
7Voice Control*1
1Vehicles without Voice Control*: Button without
function.
47 Getting started
Adjusting
Make sure that
you can reach the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent at the elbows
you can move your legs freely
all displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument
cluster are clearly visible
The steering wheel adjustment release
handle is located on the lower left of the
steering column.
1Release handle
To unlock the steering wheel, pull
release handle 1 out to its stop limit.
Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
Push release handle 1 back to its
original position to relock the steering
wheel.
The steering wheel is locked into posi-
tion again.
Make sure the steering wheel is
securely locked by trying to move it up
and down as well as in and out before
driving off.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
Warning!G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
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 SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the steering
wheel adjustment feature can be operated
when the driver’s door is open. Therefore,
do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
48 Getting started
Adjusting
Make sure that
you can reach the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent at the elbows
you can move your legs freely
all displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument
cluster are clearly visible
The steering wheel adjustment stalk is
located on the lower left of the steering
column.1Adjusting steering wheel, in or out
2Adjusting steering wheel, up or down
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Open the driver’s door.
Adjusting steering wheel in or out
Move stalk forward or back in direction
of arrow1.
Adjusting steering wheel up or down
Move stalk up or down in direction of
arrow2.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have
a good view of the road and traffic
conditions.iThe memory function* (page 144) lets
you store the settings for the steering wheel
together with the settings for seat positions and
the exterior rear view mirrors.
Warning!G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass
breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can only be completely
removed while in their liquid state and by apply-
ing plenty of water.
55 Getting started
Driving
Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 67).
Gasoline engine:
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 40) and hold until
the engine starts.Diesel engine:
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 40).
Preglow indicator lampqin the in-
strument cluster comes on.
As soon as preglow indicator lamp
q goes out, turn the SmartKey in
the starter switch to position3
(
page 40) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
iYou can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.
iIf the engine is at operating temperature,
preglow indicator lampqmay not stay on
and you can start the engine without preglowing.
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise
accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle.