
Exterior view
iThis Operator’s Manual describes all features, standard or optional, potentially available
for your vehicle at the time of purchase. Please be aware that your vehicle might not be
equipped with all features described in this manual.
FunctionPage:Trunk:Locking and unlocking76Opening and closing81Valet locking85;Rear window defroster191=Rear lamps318?Fuel filler flap220AExterior rear view mirrors95Parking position95BRoof:Power tilt/sliding sunroof192Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel194
CWindshield:Wiping with washer fluid105FunctionPageCleaning264DDoors:Locking and unlocking76,
314
EWipers104Wiper blades, replacing322Wiper blades, cleaning264FHood223GFront lamps318HHeadlamp cleaning system102IFront towing eye341JTires and wheels228Rims and tires353KRear towing eye34126Exterior viewAt a glance
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Indicator and warning lampsFunctionPage:ESC OFF warning lamp308;Preglow indicator lamp,
diesel engine only110
=Front foglamp indicator
lamp99
?Rear foglamp indicator
lamp99
ALeft turn signal indicator
lamp 100
BESC warning lamp 308CDistance warning lamp1309DRight turn signal indicator
lamp100
ESeat belt telltale 307FSupplemental Restraint
System (SRS) indicator
lamp 308
FunctionPageGEngine malfunction
indicator lamp310
HBrake warning lamp,
Canada only306
ICombination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only
233,
312
Low tire pressure telltale,
Canada only
233,
312
JCoolant temperature
warning lamp311
KBrake warning lamp, USA
only306
LAntilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp 305
MHigh-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 1001Vehicles without DISTRONIC PLUS: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. Itshould go out when the engine is running.
Instrument cluster29At a glance212_AKB; 2; 41, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-17T09:14:21+02:00 - Seite 29Z

iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only
achieved with winter tires, or snow chains
as required.
Safety notesGWarning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
ABSGObserve Safety notes, see page 62.GWarning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp ! in the
instrument cluster comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal. The pulsation indicates that the
ABS is in the regulating mode.
XKeep firm and steady pressure on the brake
pedal while you feel the pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to steer
the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
XKeep continuous full pressure on the brake
pedal.62Driving safety systemsSafety and security
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ESCGObserve Safety notes, see page 62.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
operational as soon as the engine is running.
It monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESC recognizes that the vehicle deviates
from the direction of travel as intended by the
driver. By applying brakes to individual
wheels and by limiting the engine output, the
ESC works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESC is
especially useful while driving off and on wet
or slippery road surfaces. The ESC also
stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers.
The ESC warning lamp ä in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running.
GWarning!
Never switch off the ESC when you see the
ESC warning lamp ä flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESC cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: Because the ESC
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 ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC: Because the
ESC 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 when the
vehicle is being towed with one axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESC 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 DISTRONIC PLUS and cruise control
switch off automatically when the ESC
engages.
Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) GObserve Safety notes, see page 62.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
4-ETS (four-wheel Electronic Traction
System, vehicles with 4MATIC only) are
components of the ESC. 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 ESC, the
ETS/4-ETS is still enabled.
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Example illustration
:Selected name from the phone bookXIf the Symbol G appears on the right-hand
side of the name several entries are
present for the same name: Press button
6 or a and select the desired entry.
XPress button 6 or a.
The control system dials the selected
phone number.
If the connection is successful and this
feature is supported by your network
provider, the name of the party (if stored in
your phone book) you are calling will
appear in the multifunction display.
The control system stores the dialed
number in the redial memory.
or
XPress button ~ or % if you do not
want to make the call.
Redialing
The control system stores the most recently
dialed phone numbers. This eliminates the
need to search through your entire phone
book.
XPress button = or ; to select the
Tel menu.
XPress button 6.XPress button : or 9 to select the
desired number or name.
XPress button 6 or a.
The control system dials the selected
phone number.
Assistance menu
In the DriveAssist menu, you can change
the settings of your driving systems.
The following functions are available:
RDisplaying distance graphic, DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 152)
RActivating/deactivating PRE-SAFE® Brake
(vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS only)
(Y page 137)
RSwitching ATTENTION ASSIST on or off
(Y page 138)
RSwitching Blind Spot Assist on or off
(Y page 138)
RSwitching Lane Keeping Assist on or off
(Y page 138)
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE®
Brake (vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS
only)
XPress button = or ; to select the
DriveAssist menu.
XPress button : or 9 to select the
PRE-SAFE Brake function.
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RVehicle status message memory
(Y page 139)
RRestarting the tire pressure loss warning
system (Canada only) (Y page 233)
RChecking tire inflation pressure
electronically with the Advanced TPMS
(Y page 233)
RCalling up the maintenance service
indicator display (Y page 259)
Vehicle status message memory
Use the vehicle status message memory
function to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the system.
Such messages appear in the multifunction
display and are based on conditions or
system status the vehicle’s system has
recorded.
GWarning!
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner’s and/or driver’s
responsibility to maintain the vehicle’s
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the
malfunction and warning messages.
XPress button = or ; to select the
Serv. menu.
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display:
XPress button : or 9 to select the
messages function.
XPress button a to confirm.
The stored messages will now be displayed
in the order in which they have occurred.
For malfunction and warning messages,
see “Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display” (Y page 272).
XUse button : or 9 to scroll through
the messages.
If you turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 0 and then back to position 2, all
messages will be deleted from the message
memory.
Settings menu
Introduction
In the Sett. menu there are two functions:
The function Factory Setting
(Y page 139), with which you can reset the
settings to the original factory settings and a
collection of submenus (Y page 140) with
which you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.
Resetting to factory settings
You can reset most of the settings of the
submenus to the factory settings.
For safety reasons, the function Daytime
Running Lamps in the Lights submenu
cannot be reset while driving.
XPress button = or ; to select the
Sett. menu.
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XPress button = or ; to select the
Sett. menu.
XPress button : or 9 to select the
Convenience submenu.
XPress a.XPress button : or 9 to select the
Belt Adjustment: function.
The current setting Enabled or Disabled
is shown.
XPress button a to change the current
status.
Depending on the previous status, the
Belt Adjustment: function will be
Enabled or Disabled.
Driving systems
Introduction
RCruise control
RDISTRONIC PLUS
RHill-start assist system
RHOLD function
RAIRMATIC (E 550 and E 550 4MATIC)
RAll-wheel drive (4MATIC)
RParktronic system with Parking Guidance
RRear view camera
RNight View Assist Plus
RATTENTION ASSIST
RBlind Spot Assist
RLane Keeping Assist
RRACE START (E 63 AMG)
RAMG adaptive sport suspension system
(E 63 AMG)
The driving safety systems ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, BAS PLUS, EBP, ESC and PRE-
SAFE® Brake are described in the “Safety and
security” section (Y page 61).
Cruise control
The cruise control maintains the speed you
set for your vehicle automatically.
The use of the cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
The currently set speed or last set speed
(“Resume” function) appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds. The corresponding cruise control
speed segments from the selected speed to
the vehicle maximum speed in the
multifunction display are illuminated.
GWarning!
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
RThe use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
RThe use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
RDeactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
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XBriefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow ?.
If no speed is stored, the current speed is
set and stored.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last stored speed is deleted from memory
when the engine is turned off.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Safety notes
When activated, the DISTRONIC PLUS
adaptive cruise control system increases the
driving convenience afforded by the cruise
control while traveling on expressways and
other major roadways.
R If the DISTRONIC PLUS distance sensor
detects a slower moving vehicle directly
ahead, your vehicle speed will be reduced
so that you follow that vehicle at your
preset following distance.
R If there is no vehicle directly ahead of you,
the DISTRONIC PLUS will function in the
same way as standard cruise control
( Y page 146).
GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS requires familiarity with
its operational characteristics. We strongly
recommend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.
GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS is a convenience
system. Its speed adjustment reduction
capability is intended to make cruise control
more effective and usable when traffic speeds
vary. It is not however, intended to, nor does
it, replace the need for extreme care.
The responsibility for the vehicle’s speed,
distance to the preceding vehicle and, most
importantly, brake operation to ensure a safe
stopping distance, always remains with the
driver.
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take street and
traffic conditions into account.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the DISTRONIC PLUS. This
could result in wrong or missing distance
warnings.GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control
is not a substitute for active driving
involvement. It does not react to pedestrians
or on stationary objects, nor does it recognize
or predict the curvature and lane layout or the
movement of preceding vehicles. The
DISTRONIC PLUS can only apply a maximum
of 40% of the vehicle’s braking power.
The DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles possibly driving in front of you, such
as motorcycles and vehicles driving in an
offset formation.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to the road, weather and traffic
conditions. Additionally, the driver must
provide the steering, braking and other driving
inputs necessary to remain in control of the
vehicle.
High-frequency sources such as toll stations,
speed measuring systems etc. can cause the
DISTRONIC PLUS system to temporarily
cease functioning.
GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take road and
traffic conditions into account. Only use the
DISTRONIC PLUS if the road, weather and
traffic conditions make it advisable to travel
at a constant speed.
GWarning!
Use of the DISTRONIC PLUS can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
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