Page 455 of 705
454 Controls in detailLoading and storingRetaining hooks
Two hooks are located on the upper edge
of the trunk and can be used to attach car-
go items such as bags.
Pull tab1 of retaining hook2 down.
Parcel net in trunk
There is a pocket net on each side of the
right and left trunk side walls to secure
loads.Retainer for Operator’s Manual pouch
Use Velcro strap1 to fasten Operator’s
Manual pouch2 in place.
Umbrella holder
You can attach an umbrella to the trunk lid.1Umbrella holder
2Umbrella
Swing down holder1 in direction of
arrow.
Take umbrella2 out of holder 1.
!
Do not use the retaining hooks to tie down
cargo.
Warning!
G
Do not pull on the umbrella holder when you
are closing the trunk lid. You could other-
wise injure yourself on the trunk lid.i
You can purchase a suitable umbrella at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 457 of 705

456 Controls in detailUseful featuresRear window sunshade
The switches are on the rear doors.
1Opening
2Closing
You can also operate the rear window sun-
shade via COMAND (
page 227) or via
the favorite button (
page 216).
Switch on the ignition (
page 315).
Press upper part 1 of the rocker
switch briefly to extend the sunshade.
Press lower part 2 of the rocker
switch briefly to retract the sunshade.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Button for disengaging ashtray
2Cover plate
i
Operating the rear window sunshade from
the rear is not possible if you activate the over-
ride switch (
page 67).
i
If you operate the rear window sunshade via
COMAND or via the favorite button, this takes
precedence over the rear window sunshade but-
tons on the rear doors.
i
The rear window sunshade is switched off at
temperatures below -4°F (-20°C).
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Set automatic transmis-
sion toP. With the automatic transmission
set toP, turn off the engine.
Page 487 of 705

486 OperationDriving instructionsPassenger compartment
Driving 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
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters
COMAND, radio, and telephone*
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.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System), radio, or tele-
phone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Page 494 of 705

493 Operation
Engine compartment
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.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
cranked manually
Warning!
G
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.
Page 560 of 705
559 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Apply brake
to shift
from ’P’
You have tried to Shift the automatic trans-
mission to D, R or N without stepping on
the brake.
Step on brake.
USA only:
Cruise control
- - - mph
Canada only:
Cruise control
- - - km/h
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save the speed.
ESP
® is deactivated.
Activate ESP
® (page 72).
The automatic transmission is in position P,
R or N.
Shift the automatic transmission toD (
page 367).
The system is overheated.
Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tric parking brake.
Release electric parking brake (
page 364).
Cruise control
inoperative
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
Have cruise control checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Page 562 of 705

561 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
inoperative
DISTRONIC Plus* is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
DISTRONIC PLUS
passive
You have depressed the accelerator pedal,
DISTRONIC Plus* is no longer controlling
the speed of the vehicle.
Release the accelerator pedal.
USA only:
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - mph
Canada only:
DISTRONIC PLUS
- - - km/h
You have attempted to activate DISTRONIC
Plus* at a speed below 20 mph (30 km / h)
without the vehicle in front being displayed
in the multifunction display (
page 385).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km / h) and activate DISTRONIC
Plus* again.
ESP
® is deactivated.
Activate ESP
® (page 72).
The automatic transmission is in position P,
R or N.
Shift the automatic transmission toD (
page 367).
The system is overheated.
Wait until the system cools down.
The vehicle is secured in place by the elec-
tric parking brake.
Release electric parking brake (
page 364).
The driver’s door is open and the drivers
seat belt is unbuckled.
Close the driver’s door and fasten your seat belt.
The hood is open.
Close the hood (
page 493).
Page 565 of 705

564 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front passenger
airbag enabled
See Oper. 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
passenger seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty. Objects
on the seat or forces acting on
the seat may make the system
sense supplemental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Switch off the ignition (
page 315).
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 bag on the back of the front passenger seat is emp-
ty.
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 switch on
the ignition (
page 315).
Monitor the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster
(
page 53) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(page 241) for the following:
(Continued on next page)
Page 575 of 705
574 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Brake immediately
A malfunction has occurred while DISTRON-
IC Plus* was switched on.
While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.
Secure vehicle from rolling away before get-
ting out of it (
page 363).
(USA only)(Canada only)
EBV, ABS, ESP
inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
(USA only)(Canada only)