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
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 258
Opening and closing ..................... 258
Synchronizing ............................... 260
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 261
Roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 261
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 262
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding
panel ............................................ 264
Driving systems ................................. 266
Cruise control............................... 266
Distronic*..................................... 271
Distance warning function*.......... 284
AIRMATIC* ................................... 285
Parktronic* (Parking assist) ......... 291
Rear view camera* ....................... 295Loading .............................................. 297
Roof rack*.................................... 297
Loading instructions..................... 298
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 299
Hooks........................................... 300
Expanding cargo compartment .... 301
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 306
Partition net* ............................... 308
Useful features .................................. 311
Storage compartments ................ 311
Parcel nets ................................... 315
Cup holders.................................. 316
Ashtrays* ..................................... 319
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 321
Power outlets ............................... 322
Rear center console* ................... 323
Heated steering wheel* ............... 326
Telephone* .................................. 327
Tele Aid* ...................................... 330
Garage door opener* ................... 337
Compass ...................................... 342
Floormats ..................................... 343
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 351
Parking......................................... 351
Tires ............................................. 352
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 353
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 354
Standing water............................. 355
Passenger compartment .............. 356
Driving abroad ............................. 356
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 357
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) .......................... 357
43 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as
fastening 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
back 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
abdomen 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
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
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 informa-
tion, see “Children in the vehicle”
(
page 84).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
50 Getting started
Adjusting
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 212).
!Vehicles with power folding exterior rear
view mirrors*:
If an exterior rear view mirror housing is forcibly
pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly
pushed rearward (hit from the front) press fold
button1 (
page 214) to fold mirrors in, then
press fold button1 (
page 214) again to fold
mirrors out. Do not force mirrors by hand as this
may damage the adjustment mechanism.
The mirror housing is then properly positioned
and you can adjust the mirror in the usual man-
ner.
iThe memory function* (page 144) lets
you store the settings for the exterior rear view
mirrors together with the setting for the steering
wheel column and the seat positions.
At low ambient temperatures, the exterior rear
view mirrors will be heated automatically.
65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. In this case, it is important
to keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a
result of vehicle movement, before turning
off the engine and leaving the vehicle
always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).
Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
67 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 199).
Apply the parking brake (page 66).Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 40).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) to turn off the
engine.
With the driver’s door closed, the
starter switch is now in position1. With
the driver’s door opened, the starter
switch is set to position0, same as
SmartKey removed from starter switch
(
page 39).
iIf the engine cannot be turned off as
described, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 522).
Warning!G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the
engine not running, there is no power assis-
tance 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 vehicle.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 199).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
iIf you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the transmission in a position other
than P, the transmission will automatically shift
toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission to P. Only when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
iYou can turn off the engine while driving by
pressing and holding the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button for approximately 3 seconds.
iIf you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the transmission in a position
other than P, the transmission will automatically
shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not
automatically shift the transmission to P. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
101 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and ability to steer
the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see the “Practical
Hints” section (
page 420).
Warning!G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
the ESP®, and the 4-ETS are also switched
off. The basic driving and braking functions
are still available.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from exces-
sive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can pre-
vent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
145 Controls in detail
Memory function*
The memory button and stored position
buttons are located on the entry side of
each front seat base.
MMemory button
1, 2, 3Stored positions
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Open the respective door.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats (page 44).
On the driver’s side, additionally adjust
the steering wheel (
page 46) and
exterior rear view mirrors (
page 48)
to the desired positions.
Press memory buttonM.
Release memory button M and press
stored position 1, 2 or 3 within
3 seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold stored position
button1,2 or3 until the seat, steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors
have fully moved to the stored posi-
tions.
!Do not operate the power seats using mem-
ory button M if the seat backrest is in an exces-
sively reclined position. Doing so could cause
damage to front or rear seats.
Move seat backrest to an upright position first.
iReleasing the stored position button stops
movement to the stored positions immediately.