System settings ............................. 147
Telephone ...................................... 167
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ........ 87
Automatic central locking .......... 74, 135
Automatic headlamp mode ................ 91
Automatic interior lighting control .... 95
Automatic locking when driving ...... 135
Automatic shift program .................. 111
Automatic transmission ................... 108
Automatic shift program ................111
Gear range indicator ......................111
Gear ranges ................................... 111
Gear selector lever ........................108
Hill-start assist system ..................183
Kickdown ....................................... 110
Kickdown (manual shift program) ..115
Manual shift program ..................... 113
One-touch gearshifting ..................112
Program mode indicator ................112
Program mode selector switch
(automatic shift program) ..............111
Program mode selector switch
(manual shift program) ..........113, 114
Shifting procedure .........................109
Steering wheel gearshift control ....112
Transmission position indicator .....109
Transmission positions ..................109
AUX socket ........................................ 166
Axle oils .............................................. 351
B
BabySmart™
Air bag deactivation system .............46
Self-test ........................................... 47
Back button ....................................... 141
Backrest see Seats
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 292
Replacing bulbs ............................. 314
Bar (air pressure unit) ....................... 250
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 61
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking condition ..........................73
Replacing ....................................... 312
Battery, Vehicle ................................. 321
Charging ........................................ 323
Jump starting ................................. 323
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 290
Bead (tire) .......................................... 250
Beverage holders see Cup holders
Bluetooth ®
settings .......................... 147
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid
Checking level ............................... 228
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 282
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 263
Replacing bulbs ............................. 314
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 279
Brakes ................................................ 255
High-performance brake system ....256
Parking brake ................................ 105
Warning lamp ................................. 298
Break-in period .................................. 222
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) ... 23
California retail buyers and
lessees, important notice for ............. 21
Calls (phone) .............................. 128, 167
Can holders see Cup holders
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................. 349
Cargo tie-down rings ......................... 203
Carpets, cleaning .............................. 265
CD player ............................................ 158
Center console
Lower part ....................................... 32
Upper part ....................................... 31
Central locking
Automatic ................................ 74, 135
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 71
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Resume function ............................ 183
Setting current speed ....................181
Cup holders ........................................ 207
Curb weight ....................................... 250
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 23
Customer Relations Department ....... 23
D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Data recording ..................................... 23
Date, Setting ...................................... 133
Daytime running lamp mode .............. 91
Switching on or off ......................... 133
Deep water
see Standing water
Defogging (windshield) ..................... 195
Defroster
Front (Climate control system) ......194
Rear window .................................. 196
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps ................................ 134
Interior lighting .............................. 135
Department of Transportation
see DOT
Difficulties
While driving .................................. 104
With starting .................................. 102
Dimensions (vehicle)
see Vehicle specification
Direction of rotation (tires) .............. 242
Displays
Maintenance service indicator .......259
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 270
Multifunction display .....................120
Symbol messages ..........................279
Text messages ............................... 272
Trip computer ................................ 121
Vehicle status message memory ...129
Vehicle system settings .................130
Door control panel .............................. 33
Door handles ........................................ 33
Doors
Child safety locks ............................ 59
Locking/unlocking (KEYLESS-GO) ...71
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........70
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Opening from inside ......................... 74
Remote door lock (Tele Aid) ........... 216
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) .......215
Unlocking (Mechanical key) ...........309
DOT (Department of
Transportation) .................................. 250
Drinking and driving ......................... 254
Driving
Abroad ........................................... 257
Hydroplaning ................................. 257
Instructions ........................... 101, 254
In winter ........................................ 253
Problems ....................................... 104
Safety systems ................................ 60
Systems ......................................... 180
Through standing water .................257
Driving and parking
Safety notes .................................. 101
Driving off .................................. 103, 257
Driving safety systems ....................... 60
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake ................................ 62
BAS .................................................. 61
EBP .................................................. 62
ESP ®
................................................ 62
ETS/4-ETS ....................................... 63
Driving systems
All-wheel drive (4MATIC) ................ 183
Cruise control ................................ 180
Dynamic handling package with
sport driving mode .........................184
Hill-start assist system ..................183
Parktronic system ..........................185
Rear view camera .......................... 188
Driving tips, automatic
transmission ...................................... 110
Dynamic handling package with
sport driving mode ............................ 184
E
E85 (ethanol fuel) .............................. 355
Easy-entry/exit feature .............. 85, 136
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) ...................................... 62
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Power assistance .............................. 255
Power outlets .................................... 210
Power seats see Seats
Power steering
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Operation ....................................... 196
Synchronizing ................................ 199
Power washer .................................... 261
Power windows ................................... 98
Cleaning ......................................... 264
Operation ......................................... 98
Rear door window, override
switch .............................................. 59
Synchronizing .................................. 99
Practical hints ................................... 268
Problems
While driving .................................. 104
With vehicle ..................................... 23
With wipers ...................................... 97
Product information ............................ 20
Production options weight ............... 251
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program ................111
Manual shift program ............113, 114
Proximity key
see Key, SmartKey
PSI (air pressure unit) ....................... 251
R
RACETIMER ........................................ 124
Radio .................................................. 148
Satellite radio ................................ 152
Selecting stations ..........................126
Radio transmitters ............................ 258
Rain sensor see Intermittent wiping
Rear axle oil ....................................... 351
Rear center console ashtray see Ashtrays
Rear doors
Child safety locks ............................ 59
Rear door window
Override switch ................................ 59
Rear fog lamp
see Fog lamps
Rear lamps
see Tail lamps
Rear seat head restraints
see Head restraints
Rear view camera .............................. 188
Cleaning the camera lens ..............263
Rear window defroster ..................... 196
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ..................................... 230, 251
Refrigerant, air conditioning ............ 354
Refueling ............................................ 222
Regular checks .................................. 224
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
see Key, SmartKey
Remote door lock (Tele Aid) ............. 216
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) ......... 215
Replacing
Key .................................................. 74
Replacing bulbs ................................. 313
Reporting safety defects .................... 23
Research Octane Number see RON
Reserve fuel
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 291
Warning lamp ................................. 304
Restraint systems
see Occupant safety
Retaining hooks ................................. 203
Rims ........................................... 251, 344
Roadside Assistance ................... 21, 214
Roller sunblinds ................................. 199
RON (Research Octane Number) ..... 354
Roof rack ............................................ 203
Rubber parts, cleaning ...................... 265
S
Safety
Driving safety systems .....................60
Occupant safety ............................... 36
Reporting defects ............................ 23
Safety belts
see Seat belts
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Product Information
Please observe the following in your own best
interest:
We recommend using Genuine Mercedes-
Benz Parts as well as conversion parts and
accessories explicitly approved by us for your
vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their
reliability, safety and special suitability for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be held
responsible for them, even if in individual
cases an official approval or authorization by
governmental or other agencies should exist.
Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or
reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use
them.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and pre-
approved conversion parts and accessories
are available at any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. In addition, you will receive
comprehensive information on permissible
technical modifications and expert
installations.
Operator’s Manual
Notes
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal
of useful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator’s Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
We continuously strive to improve our
product and ask for your understanding that
we reserve the right to make changes in
design and equipment. Therefore,
information, illustrations, and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from your
vehicle.
Vehicle equipment
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
operating particular equipment, any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Optional equipment is also described in this
manual, including operating instructions
wherever necessary. Since they are special-
order items, the descriptions and illustrations
herein may vary slightly from the actual
equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not
shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to inform you of correct
care and operating procedures. The
Operator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be kept
with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz,
including:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission System Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
20Introduction204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 20
Side impact air bags GObserve Safety notes, see page 37.GWarning!
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers.
Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors create a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Side impact air bags : are designed to
provide increased protection for the thorax
but not the head, neck and arms of the driver
or front passenger.
The side impact air bags : are deployed
Ron the impacted side of the vehicle
Rin instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Rregardless of whether the seat belts on the
impacted side of the vehicle are in use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the ETDs
Vehicles with OCS (USA only): The front
passenger side impact air bag will not deploy
if the OCS senses that the front passenger
seat is empty and the front passenger seat
belt is not fastened. With the front passenger
seat empty and the seat belt fastened, the
front passenger side impact air bag will
deploy independently of the empty seat.
Whether a seat belt is recognized as fastened
depends on whether or not the latch plate is
properly inserted into the buckle.
Side impact air bags : are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system’s deployment threshold.
Side impact air bags : will not deploy in the
event of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of
lateral deceleration or acceleration exceeds
the preset deployment threshold for side
impact air bags :.
! Vehicles with BabySmart™ air bag
deactivation system (Canada only): Do not
place objects heavier than 20 lb (9 kg) on
the front passenger seat. This could cause
the front or side impact air bag on the front
passenger side to deploy in a crash which
exceeds the system’s deployment
threshold.
GWarning!
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the side impact air bags and/or pelvis air
bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for availability.
Pelvis air bags
GObserve Safety notes, see page 37.
Pelvis air bags are not available on C 63 AMG.
Occupant safety41Safety and security204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 41Z
Pelvis air bags : are designed to provide
increased protection for the pelvis.
Pelvis air bags : are deployed
Rin instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Ron the impacted side of the vehicle
Rindependently of whether the seat belt is in
use
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rindependently of the ETDs
Vehicles with OCS, USA only: Front
passenger pelvis air bag : will not deploy if
the OCS senses that the front passenger seat
is empty and the front passenger seat belt is
not fastened. With the front passenger seat
empty and the seat belt fastened, front
passenger pelvis air bag : will deploy
independently of the empty seat. Whether a
seat belt is recognized as fastened depends
on whether or not the latch plate is properly
inserted into the buckle.
Pelvis air bags : are not deployed in side
impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
Pelvis air bags : will not deploy in the event
of a rollover unless the vehicle’s rate of lateral
deceleration or acceleration exceeds the
preset deployment threshold for pelvis air
bags :.
GWarning!
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle model. Using other seat covers may
interfere with or prevent the deployment of
the side impact air bags and/or pelvis air
bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for availability.
Window curtain air bags
GObserve Safety notes, see page 37.
Window curtain air bags : are designed to
provide increased protection for the head but
not the chest or arms.
Window curtain air bags : are deployed
Ron the impacted side of the vehicle
Rin instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Rindependently of the front air bags
Rregardless of whether the front passenger
seat is occupied
Rregardless of whether the seat belt on the
impacted side of the vehicle is in use
Window curtain air bags : are not deployed
in impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
Window curtain air bags : deploy in the area
indicated by the arrows.
Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is
standard equipment in USA.
The OCS activates or deactivates the front
passenger front air bag automatically. The
respective status is based on the classified
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If you and/or your passenger release the
seat belt during driving, the seat belt
telltale 7 starts flashing and the
warning chime sounds as described before.
If the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat
belt remains unfastened after 60 seconds,
the warning chime stops sounding, the seat
belt telltale 7 stops flashing but
continues to be illuminated.
After a vehicle standstill, the warning chime
is reactivated and the seat belt telltale
7 is flashing again if the vehicle speed
once exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The seat belt telltale 7 will only go out if
both the driver’s and the front passenger’s
seat belt (with the front passenger seat
occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle is
standing still and a front door is opened.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
( Y page 301).
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD),
seat belt force limiter
The seat belts for the front seats and rear
outer seats are equipped with ETDs and seat
belt force limiters.
The ETDs are designed to activate in the
following cases:
R in frontal or rear-end impacts exceeding
the system’s preset deployment threshold
R in side impacts exceeding the system’s
preset deployment threshold on the far
side of the impact
R if the restraint systems are operational and
functioning correctly, see “SRS indicator
lamp” ( Y page 36)
The ETDs for the front seats will only activate
if the front seat belts are fastened (latch plate
properly inserted into buckle).
The ETDs for the rear seats will activate with
or without the respective seat belts fastened.
In an impact, the ETDs remove slack from the
seat belts in such a way that the seat belts fit
more snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters, when activated, are employed to
help reduce the peak force exerted by the
seat belts on occupants during a crash.
i The ETDs do not correct an incorrect seat
position or incorrectly worn seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull occupants back
toward the seat backrest.GWarning!
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints (except C 63 AMG)
The NECK-PRO active front head restraints
are intended to offer the driver and front
passenger increased protection from
whiplash-type injuries. In the event of a rear-
end collision, the NECK-PRO active front head
restraints on the front seats are designed to
move forward in the direction of travel. They
thus provide the head with increased support
earlier on in the collision sequence. The
NECK-PRO active front head restraints will
move forward whether the seats are occupied
or not.
GWarning!
Do not attach any objects (e.g. hangers) to the
head restraint posts. Otherwise, the NECK-
PRO active front head restraints may not be
able to function properly or offer the intended
degree of protection they were designed for
in the event of a rear-end collision.
GWarning!
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers may
interfere with or prevent the activation of the
52Occupant safetySafety and security
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In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
You can only switch on the high-beam
headlamps in low ambient lighting conditions.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to park
position P with the vehicle at a standstill
(vehicles with automatic transmission) or
the parking brake is engaged, the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T , the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( Y page 90).
USA only
You can only switch on the high-beam
headlamps in low ambient lighting conditions.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
When the engine is running, and you turn the
exterior lamp switch to position T or
L , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( Y page 90).
Fog lamps
Fog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in position c.
GWarning!
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position c to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from c to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps
and/or the low-beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low-beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding permissible lamp operation.
XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
T or L (Y page 90).XSwitching on front fog lamps: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to first stop.
The green indicator lamp N in the
instrument cluster comes on.XSwitching on rear fog lamp: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to second stop.
The rear fog lamp, the front fog lamps, the
green N and the yellow indicator lamp
R in the instrument cluster come on.XSwitching off front fog lamps/rear fog
lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to
its stop.
Locator lighting
The locator lighting is described in the
“Control system” section, see “Switching
locator lighting on or off” ( Y page 134).
92LightingControls in detail
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