243 Operation
Driving instructions
Standing waterPassenger 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
transmitters
Radio and telephone
!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
water 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
securely 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
objects.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the radio or telephone
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
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
244 Operation
Driving instructions
Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded gasoline
in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation
should be repaired promptly. Otherwise exces-
sive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic
converter, causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.
Warning!G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where combus-
tible 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.
Warning!G
The exhaust areas on the engine hood and
between the doors and front wheels get very
hot. Avoid contact with them, otherwise
there is the risk of severe burns.
271 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating the TPMS
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be
reactivated in the following situations:
if you have changed the tire inflation
pressure
if you have replaced the wheels or tires
if you have installed new wheels or
tires
Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 267) or, if avail-
able, the inside of the fuel filler flap,
make sure the tire inflation pressure of
all four tires is correct.
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
iOperating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the TPMS to
malfunction.Warning!G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
284 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door A-pillar.
324 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressure
monitorreactivatedThe TPMS is using the current pressure
values as the basis for monitoring.
Tire pressuredisplayed only
after driving
a few minutesThe tire inflation pressure is being checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire pressuredisplayed only
when ignition
is switched onSwitch on the ignition (page 40).
Tire pressure
monitortemporarily
unavailableThe tire inflation pressure monitor is unable
to monitor the tire inflation pressure due to
the presence of several wheel sensors in
the vehicle.
excessive wheel sensor temperatures.
a nearby radio interference source.
unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
Remove any extra wheel sensors
from the vehicle.
As soon as the causes of the malfunc-
tion have been removed, the TPMS auto-
matically becomes active again.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
406 Index
Ashtray 208
Aspect ratio 284
AUDIO menu 126
Audio system 31, 145
Button and soft key operation 148
Cassette operation 154
CD operation 158
Location 145
Operating and display elements 146
Operating safety 145
Operation 148
Radio operation 151
Switching on/off 148
Telephone operation 162, 210
Auto-dimming, Interior rear view
mirror 182
Automatic car wash 296
Automatic central locking, Control
system 104, 139Automatic climate control 186
Adjusting air volume 193
Air conditioning refrigerant 391
Air conditioning, Cooling 196
Air distribution 191, 192
Air recirculation mode 195
Air vents 187
Air volume 191
Control panel 188
Deactivating system 190
Defrosting 185, 194
MAXCOOL 193
Residual heat utilization 197
Side air vents 31
Temperature 191
Temperature sensor 33
Automatic headlamp mode 107
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 112Automatic transmission 169
Accelerator position 173
Damage 372
Driving tips 173
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 181
Gear ranges 174
Gear selector lever 32, 169
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 175
Gear selector lever position 171
Gear shifting malfunctions 181
Kickdown 173
Manual shift program 179
Shift program mode selector
switch 175
Shifting procedure 170
Starting the engine 47
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting 177
Towing 372
Transmission fluid level 254
Automatic transmission fluid 254
408 Index
Central locking
Automatic 104, 139
Central locking switch 31
Locking/unlocking from inside 105
Central locking switch 105
Child restraints 60
Children in the vehicle 75
Air bags 63
Indicator lamp, passenger front air
bag 70
Infant and child restraint systems 60,
70, 78
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 312
Cigarette lighter 208
Clock 29, 133
Setting time 134
Closed circuit racing
Brakes 238
Cockpit 26, 399Cold tire inflation pressure 284
Combination switch 27, 51, 110
Compact guide 354
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 243
Control system 117, 399
Multifunction display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 118
Control system menus 120
722 Edition menu 123
AUDIO menu 126
Settings menu 129
Standard display menu 122
TEL menu 141
Trip computer menu 139
Vehicle status message memory
menu 128
Control system submenus 121, 130
Instrument cluster 132
Lighting 134
Time 133
Vehicle 138Controller Area Network see CAN
Coolant 248, 255, 394
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 396
Capacities 390
Checking coolant level 248, 255
Messages in the multifunction
display 335
Temperature 245
Temperature gauge 115
Warning lamp 29, 306
Courtesy lighting 113
Cruise control 27, 203, 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 317
Curb weight 284
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
416 Index
P
Panic alarm 80
Parcel net in trunk 207
Parking 55, 239
Parking brake 32
Engaging 56
Message in the multifunction
display 334
Releasing 49
Parking lamps 106
Message in the multifunction
display 343
Replacing bulbs 359
Parts service 376
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 70
Passenger compartment 243
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 319–322
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 312Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 235
Performance enhancement system,
Airbrake 89
Phone see Telephone
Poly-V-belt drive 401
Layout 379
Power assistance 236
Power outlet 209
Power train 402
Power washer 297
Power windows 199
Cleaning 297
Operating 199
Synchronizing 201
Practical hints 298
Premium unleaded gasoline 392
Problems
While driving 54
With the vehicle 21
Product information 13
Production options weight 285Program mode selector switch, Automatic
transmission 175, 402
PSI 285
Push starting 367
R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
722 Edition
Radio
Operation 151
Selecting stations 127
Radio transmitters 243
Reading lamp 113
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 185
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 285
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 221
Redial memory 144