Page 317 of 521

316 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 362).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 363).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
s i g n e d t o s e r v e a s a n i c e - w a r n i n g d e v i c e a n d
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
Page 385 of 521

384 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp comes on while
the engine is running.The ESP® has been switched off with the
ESP® switch or has been switched off due
to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
When the ESP
® is switched off it will not
stabilize the vehicle if the system recog-
nizes that the vehicle starts to skid or that
a wheel is spinning.
The cruise control is deactivated and can-
not be switched on.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 96).
Exceptions: (
page 94).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road, weather and
traffic conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observer additional messages that may appear in
the multifunction display (
page 394).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
vThe yellow ESP® warn-
ing lamp flashes while
driving.The ESP® or traction control has come
into operation because of detected trac-
tion loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivatedWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possi-
ble.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 94).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk
of an accident.
Page 395 of 521

394 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailable
See Operator’s Man.The ABS and ESP® are not available due to
a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without but without the
systems specified above.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Cruise Con-
trol And
SPEEDTRONICInoperativeCruise control is malfunctioning.Have the cruise control checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPInoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be opera-
tional.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems speci-
fied above.Continue driving with added caution.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Page 409 of 521
408 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
AGas Cap
Is OpenA loss of pressure has been detected in
the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 320).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Reserve FuelThe fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.Refuel at the next gas station
(
page 320).
± Display Malfunction
Service RequiredCertain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Page 501 of 521

500 Index
Control system menus 144, 145
AMG 148
AUDIO 151
NAV* 153
Settings 155
Settings, Submenus 156
Standard display 147
Submenus 143
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 154
Control system submenus 143, 145, 157
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 158
Lighting 162
Time/Date 160
Vehicle 165Coolant 328, 494
Adding 328
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
mixing ratio and quantity 494
Capacities 489
Checking coolant level 328
Messages in display 405–407
Temperature 319
Temperature indicator 139
Warning lamp 382
Coolants 494
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 133
Replacing bulbs 444
Cruise control 267
Canceling 269
Cruise control lever 267
Current speed 268
Fine adjustment 270
Higher speed 269
Last stored speed ("Resume"
function) 270
Slower speed 270
Cup holder 288
Curb weight 358D
Date 160
Date, Setting 161, 162
Daytime running lamp mode 131
Setting 162
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 196, 206
Defrosting, Front 195, 206
Defrosting, Rear 189
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
With starting 53
Digital speedometer 147
Dimensions, Vehicle 488
Direction of rotation (tires) 334
Displays
Digital speedometer 147
Lap analysis 151
Maintenance service indicator 364
Messages in display 392
Multifunction display 141
Outside temperature 140
Page 502 of 521

501 Index
Overall analysis 150
RACETIMER 149
Symbol messages 403–420
Text messages 394–401
Vehicle status message memory 154
Vehicle status messages
see Multifunction display messages
Vehicle supply voltage 148
Distance to empty (Range),
Trip computer 168
Door
Entry lamps 137
Handle (inside) 34
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 37, 106
Locking/unlocking,
SmartKey 36, 102
Opening from inside/outside 109
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 300
Unlocking, Mechanical key 427
Door control panel 34
Door handle 109
DOT 358
Drinking and driving 309Driving
Abroad 317
Hydroplaning 314
In winter 316
Instructions 48, 309
Problems 58
Safety systems 90
Systems 267
Through standing water 317
Driving off 312
Driving safety systems
ABS 90
BAS 92
Electronic traction system 94
ESP
®92
Driving systems
Cruise control 267
Parktronic system*
(CLK 63 AMG (USA),
Canada all models) 271
Driving tips 176
Accelerator position 176
Kickdown 176E
Easy-entry/exit feature 45, 166
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 291
Electrical system, Technical data 487
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call system* 295
Emergency calls
911 calls 248
Tele Aid calls 296, 297
Emergency, In case of
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 378–388
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 184
Emergency operations
Active head restraints, Resetting 440
Center console,
Indicator lamps 390–391
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 429
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 378–387
Remote door unlock 300