272 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance 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.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position0
or1) when testing the brakes on a brake test dy-
namometer and such testing should be no longer
than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through ESP
® may other-
wise seriously damage the brake system which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
273 Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 90).Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (page 347).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 374).
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(
page 373).
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
278 Operation
Driving instructions
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 314).
If you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s side-
wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to assist you.
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 positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect 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
after driving is resumed.
iFor information on speed rating for winter
tires, see “Winter driving” (
page 328).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 316).
iFor more information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” (
page 329).
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.
462 Index
Emergency, In case of
Batteries, Jump starting 423
First aid kit 393
Flat tire, changing 412
Fuses 428
Hazard warning flasher 132
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 346
Instrument cluster, indicator
lamps 344
Roadside Assistance 12
Towing the vehicle 344
Emission control 281
Information label 435
System warranties 10
Engine 437
Belt layout 436
Block heater* (Canada only) 329
Break-in recommendations 270
Cleaning 335
Compartment 286
Malfunction indicator lamp 348, 349,
375
Maximum engine speed 437
Number 434, 435
Starting 51Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 52
Tachometer 27
Technical data 437
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 61
Turning off with the SmartKey 61
Engine compartment
Hood 286
Engine coolant see Coolant 290
Engine oil 287, 448
Adding 289
Additives 450
Changing 450
Checking level 288
Consumption 287
Filler neck 289
Messages in display 379
Oil dipstick 288
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 450
ESP
®92
Messages in display 360, 374
Warning lamp 345, 346
ETD
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior lamp switch 126Exterior rear view mirrors 47
Parking position 184
Exterior view 22
F
Factory settings
Resetting 153
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 106
Filler neck, Engine oil 289
First aid kit 393
Flat tire 412
Collapsible tire 415, 416
Jacking up the vehicle 414
Lowering the vehicle 418
Mounting the spare wheel 412, 415
Preparing the vehicle 412
Spare wheel 412
Floormats 252
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 448
Brake fluid 449
Capacities 448
Engine coolant 449
Engine oil 448
Power steering fluid 449
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system 449
468 Index
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 140
Button operation 140
N
NAV* menu (Control system) 150
Navigation system see separate COMAND
operating instructions
Net, parcel 245
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 169, 171
Night security illumination 129
Normal occupant weight 325
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 434
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 325Occupant safety 64
Air bags 66
Children and air bags 67
Children in the vehicle 82
Fastening the seat belt 48
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 75
Infant and child restraint systems 82
LATCH type child seat anchors 86
OCS 71
Seat belts 48, 68
OCS 71
Self-test 76
Odometer 27
Oil
Consumption 287
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 176
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 177
Operating safety 16
Ornamental moldings, cleaning 336
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service 330
Overhead control panel 31P
Paintwork, Cleaning 335
Panic alarm 88
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 245
Parking 59
On hills 59
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 59
Parking brake 53, 59
Message in display 374
Parking lamps 405
Replacing bulbs 409
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 125
Gear position 51
Parktronic system (Parking assist)* see
Parktronic*
469 Index
Parktronic* 234
Activating/deactivating 237
Cleaning system sensors 337
Malfunctioning 237
Minimum distance 235
Range 234
System sensors 337
Warning indicators 25, 236
Warning sounds 237
Parts service 432
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp
Passenger compartment
Interior lighting 133
Interior rear view mirror 47
Main fuse box 429
Parcel net in the front passenger
footwell 245
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 271
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 339
Pliers, universal (vehicle tool kit) 395
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 436Positions (Memory function) see Seats
Power assistance 272
Power outlet 250
Power seat see Seats 43
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 210
Opening/closing 210
Stopping 212
Synchronizing 212
Power washer 334
Power windows 205
Cleaning 338
Operating 205
Rear door window, blocking
operation 87
Side windows 205
Synchronizing 207
Practical hints 344
PRE-SAFE
®
Messages in display 360, 368
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 325
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion, Automatic shift programProgram mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 175
PSI 325
Push-start see Tow-start
R
RACETIMER 146
Radio
Selecting stations 149
Selecting stations (satellite*) 149
Radio transmitters 280
Reading lamp
Front 133
Rear 134
Rear door ashtray see Ashtrays 249
Rear door window
Blocking operation 87
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamp 406
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat head restraints see Head re-
straints
Rear storage compartment in the rear cen-
ter console 244
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 186
Rear window sunshade* 185
470 Index
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 325
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle (Tele
Aid) 262
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 450
Refueling 283
Regular checks 285
Reminder, seat belts see Seat belts, Tell-
tale
Remote control see Key, SmartKey
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 261
Replacing bulbs
Additional turn signals 407
Brake lamps 407
Front lamps 407
Headlamps 405
High beam headlamps 408
High mounted brake lamp 407
License plate lamps 409
Low beam headlamps 408
Parking lamps 409
Side marker lamps 407
Tail lamps 409
Turn signal lamps 408
Reporting safety defects 18
Research octane number see RONReserve fuel
Message in display 380
Reset button in the instrument
cluster 136, 153
Reset tool (Active head restraints) 401
Restraint system see Children in the vehi-
cle
Retaining hook 242
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 169, 171
Rims 325, 438
Roadside assistance 12
Button 259
RON 284
Roof rack* 238
Rotating tires 326
Rubber parts, cleaning 339
Run Flat Indicator* 304
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 89
Occupant 64
Reporting defects 18
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 149
Seat belt force limiter 79Seat belts 76
Children in the vehicle 82
Cleaning 340
Fastening 48
Height adjustment 50
Proper use of 50, 78
Safety guidelines 68
Telltale 27, 351, 352
Warning lamp 351, 352
Seating capacity 297
Seats 41, 118
Adjusting 41
Easy entry/exit feature* 45
Heater* 121
Memory function 123
Multicontour seat* 120
Ventilation* 122
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 242
Selecting display 156
Selective setting see Key, SmartKey or
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 76
Tele Aid 257