Electrical system
Improper work on or
modifications ................................... 22
Power outlets ................................. 210
Electrical system (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4-ETS
Emergency, in case of
First aid kit ..................................... 268
Flat tire .......................................... 317
Hazard warning flasher ....................93
Roadside Assistance ................ 21, 214
Towing the vehicle .........................325
Emergency calls
Tele Aid .......................................... 212
Telephone ...................................... 173
Emergency operations
Remote door lock (Tele Aid) ........... 216
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) .......215
Trunk lid, emergency release ...........76
Emergency Tensioning Device
see ETD
Emission control ............................... 258
Information label ............................ 333
System warranties ...........................20
Engine
Break-in recommendations ............222
Cleaning ......................................... 262
Compartment ................................ 224
Malfunction indicator lamp ............305
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Number .......................................... 333
Starting .......................................... 101
Turning off ..................................... 106
Engine (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Engine coolant
see Coolant
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 226
Additives ........................................ 353
Checking level ............................... 226
Consumption ................................. 225Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 291
Oil dipstick ..................................... 226
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter ............................................... 353
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .............................................. 62
ETS/4-ETS ....................................... 63
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................... 280, 281, 283
Warning lamp ................................. 302
ETD (Emergency Tensioning
Device) ................................................. 52
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Ethanol fuel (E85) .............................. 355
ETS/4-ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 63
Express operation
Panorama roof ............................... 200
Power windows ................................ 98
Tilt/sliding sunroof ........................196
Exterior lamp switch ........................... 90
Exterior rear view mirrors .................. 86
Fold-in function ................................ 88
Parking position ............................... 87
Power-folding ................................... 88
Switching fold-in function on or
off .................................................. 136
Exterior view of vehicle ...................... 26
F
Fastening the seat belts ..................... 50
First aid kit ......................................... 268
Flat tire ............................................... 317
Lowering the vehicle ......................321
Mounting the spare wheel .............318
Preparing the vehicle .....................318
Spare wheel ........................... 317, 349
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ....................... 355
Floormats ........................................... 220
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid .........350
Brake fluid ..................................... 351
Capacities ...................................... 349
Engine coolant ............................... 351
Engine oil ....................................... 350
Manual transmission oil .................350
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Satellite radio .................................... 152
Seat belt force limiter ......................... 52
Seat belts ............................................. 48
Children in the vehicle .....................54
Cleaning ......................................... 265
Fastening ......................................... 50
Height adjustment ...........................51
Proper use of ................................... 49
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Safety notes ..................................... 48
Telltale ........................................... 301
Seat heating ......................................... 84
Seating capacity ................................ 239
Seats ..................................................... 79
Adjustment ...................................... 79
Easy-entry/exit feature ....................85
Heating ............................................ 84
Memory function .............................. 89
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Split rear seat bench .....................204
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings ...................... 203
Selective setting
see Key, SmartKey
Selector lever
see Gear selector lever
Self-test
BabySmart™ .................................... 47
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 46
Tele Aid .......................................... 212
Service
see Maintenance
Service, parts .................................... 332
Service and warranty information ..... 20
Service intervals see Maintenance System, Service
indicator message
Service life (tires) .............................. 243
Service menu ..................................... 129
Settings
Factory setting (KEYLESS-GO) .........73
Factory setting (SmartKey) ..............71
Memory function .............................. 89
Menu ............................................. 130Selective setting (KEYLESS-GO) .......73
Selective setting (SmartKey) ............71
Shelf below rear window, cleaning .. 265
Side impact air bags ........................... 41
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 263
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 293
Replacing bulbs ............................. 314
Sidewall (tires) .................................. 252
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains ...................................... 253
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel ....................................... 344
Mounting ....................................... 318
Storage location ............................ 270
Speedometer ....................................... 28
Speed settings
Cruise control ................................ 181
Resume function ............................ 183
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Indicator lamp ......................... 36, 302
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 284
Standing water, driving through ...... 257
Starter switch positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 78
SmartKey ......................................... 77
Starting difficulties (engine) ............ 102
Starting the engine ........................... 101
Steering column see Multifunction steering wheel,
Adjustment
Steering wheel
see Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel gearshift control ..... 112
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ... 216
Storage compartments ..................... 205
Storing tires ....................................... 244
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshade
Rear window .................................. 208Index15204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 15
GWarning!
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp
6
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out after approximately
4 seconds after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury
as well.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Air bags
GWarning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag)
R side impacts (side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags and pelvis air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or door.GWarning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and front passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their respective
seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
Occupant safety37Safety and security204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 37Z
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESP ®
will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
as specified in the “Technical data” section
of this Operator’s Manual.
i The cruise control switches off
automatically when the ESP ®
engages.Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) GObserve Safety notes, see page 60.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
4-ETS (four-wheel Electronic Traction
System, vehicles with 4MATIC only) are
components of the ESP ®
. The ETS/4-ETS
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under slippery
road conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel. Vehicles with 4MATIC also
transfer more power to the wheel(s) with
traction.
When you switch off the ESP ®
, the
ETS/4-ETS is still enabled.
Switching the ESP ®
off or on (except
C 63 AMG)
GWarning!
The ESP ®
should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP ®
. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
R when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESP ®
immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP ®
will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid
or a wheel is spinning.
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When you switch off the ESP®,
Rthe ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle
Rthe engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking
Rthe cruise control cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control switches off if activated
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP®
warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will
then not stabilize the vehicle.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch : until the ESP®
warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster comes on.
The ESP® is switched off.
GWarning!
When the ESP® warning lamp d is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP®.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP® switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
XSwitching on: Press ESP® switch : until
the ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP® switched on.
C 63 AMG
Switching ESP® SPORT on or off
GWarning!
ESP® SPORT should not be switched on
during normal driving.
Switching ESP® SPORT on will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rsystem-supported traction control is
limited
ESP® SPORT is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on ESP® SPORT.
Do not switch on ESP® SPORT when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch on
ESP® SPORT. This allows the drive wheels to
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better grip,
for example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
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GWarning!
Switch off ESP® SPORT and switch on the
ESP® immediately if the aforementioned
circumstances do not apply anymore.
Otherwise ESP® SPORT will only stabilize the
vehicle to a limited extent when it is starting
to skid or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch on ESP® SPORT
Rthe ESP® stabilizes the vehicle only to a
limited extent
Rthe engine output is limited, but only to the
extent that allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control switches off if activated
iWhen ESP® SPORT is switched on and
one or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ESP® warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESP® will
then stabilize the vehicle only to a limited
extent.
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch : briefly.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on. The message
ESC-SPORT appears in the multifunction
display.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch : briefly.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESC-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
ESP® SPORT switches off automatically when
you turn off the engine. When starting the
engine, the ESP® is activated automatically.
iVehicle status messages in the
multifunction display (Y page 270) will
refer to the ESP® as ESC.
Switching the ESP® off or on
GWarning!
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rloss of system-supported traction control
“ESP® OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP®.
Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP®. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
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XAllow the engine and coolant to cool off.XCheck the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 227).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
XDo not start the engine under any
circumstances.XExit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.XNotify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
XStart the engine in the usual manner.
Parking
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement can cause serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do
the following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Manual transmission: Shift the manual
transmission into 1st gear or reverse gear
R .
R
Automatic transmission: Shift the
automatic transmission into park position
P .
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-
GO start/stop button.
R Take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.GWarning!
Manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
Parking brake
GWarning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged.
GWarning!
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. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P (manual transmission: shift into the neutral
position), either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
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Working on the vehicleGWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Gear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D and driving in automatic program
mode C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range, see “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 112).
The current gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
:Gear range indicator Effect=With this selection you can use the
braking effect of the engine.
5Allows the use of the engine’s
braking effect when driving
Ron steep downgrades
Rin mountainous regions
Runder extreme operating
conditions
4For maximum use of the engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
C ComfortFor comfort drivingS SportFor sporty driving
Program mode selector switch on C 63 AMG
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingM ManualFor manual gearshiftingAutomatic transmission111Controls in detail204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 111Z