Page 89 of 426
89 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake servo assis-
tance switches off automatically
approximately 2 minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey
approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from the outside
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system
Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads and
prevents possible brake noise.
After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks.
On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear. If you need
to brake, do not keep the brake pedal
depressed, instead depress it repeat-
edly in short intervals.
After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be
installed on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system car-
ried out by qualified technicians only. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information. The electro-hydrau-
lic brake system must be deactivated prior
to working on the system. High pressure is
intermittently built up in the system as part
of its automatic self-test. In addition, the
system is automatically activated when the
vehicle is unlocked by remote control, when
the driver or passenger door is opened,
when the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1, when the brake pedal
is depressed or when the parking brake is
released. Failure to deactivate the system
prior to maintenance will cause brake pis-
tons to extend and brake fluid to leak, which
may result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns). Extended brake pistons may also
cause injury.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Page 92 of 426
92 Safety and SecurityPerformance enhancement systemAutomatic mode
This mode should be used for normal driv-
ing conditions.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to
position2.
With the ignition switched on, the
Airbrake swivels upwards to an angle
of 5° and then returns to its initial
position.
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of
60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake wing
swivels up to an angle of 10°. Rapid braking
During hard braking at a speed of more
than 60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake auto-
matically swivels up to an angle of 65°.
This allows you to achieve the best possi-
ble braking performance in an emergency.
This function is only available in manual
and automatic mode.
Warning!
G
Hard braking activates the Airbrake which
may block the view through the interior rear
view mirror. In this case, monitor the traffic
behind you through the exterior rear view
mirrors.
Page 93 of 426
93 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
The engine can be started by anyone with
a valid SmartKey that is left inside the ve-
hicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
a door
the trunk
the hood
the storage compartment between the
backrests
the storage compartment under the
armrest
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.The alarm system will also be triggered
when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle
someone opens a door from the inside
if the vehicle was locked with the
SmartKey
someone opens the trunk with the
emergency release button
i
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 215) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
Page 94 of 426
94 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming the alarm system
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is
activated. The indicator lamp in the
central locking switch (
page 105) be-
gins to flash after arming the alarm
system.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
i
If the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, a door or the trunk may not be properly
closed.
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
i
The alarm system will rearm automatically
after approximately 40 seconds if neither a door
nor the trunk lid was opened.
Page 95 of 426
95 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes
on briefly.
Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
i
The tow-away protection alarm is triggered,
for example, if the vehicle is lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds,
a call to the Response Center is initiated auto-
matically by the Tele Aid system (
page 221)
provided Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are available.
i
When you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically. The tow-away
alarm remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
i
You cannot disarm the tow-away alarm while
the ignition is switched on.
Page 96 of 426
Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Audio system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Open air
Driving systems
Useful features
Page 98 of 426
98 Controls in detailIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are
given at the beginning of each segment.Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:
the doors
the trunk
the fuel filler flap
the storage compartment between the
backrests
the storage compartment under the
armrest
SmartKey with remote control1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for trunk
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ŒUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button !
To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey to high levels of
electromagnetic radiation.
i
When you unlock the vehicle, the
electro-hydraulic brake system is activated.
Page 99 of 426
99 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press buttonŒ.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
anti-theft alarm system is disarmed.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
and rearm the anti-theft alarm system
within approximately 40 seconds of
unlocking if:
neither door nor trunk is opened
the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch
the central locking switch is not
activated
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. It is possible
for children to open a locked door from the
inside, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
!
If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, then the batteries in the Smart-
Key are discharged, the SmartKey is malfunc-
tioning or the vehicle battery is drained.
Check the batteries in the SmartKey
(page 100) and replace them if necessary
(page 359).
Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle
(page 357).
Have the vehicle battery and the battery con-
nections checked. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, contact Road-
side Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
