Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding permissible lamp operation.
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
T or L (Y page 74).
XSwitching on front fog lamps: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to first stop.
The green indicator lamp N in the
exterior lamp switch 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 exterior lamp switch come on.
XSwitching off front fog lamps/rear fog
lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to
its stop.
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Switching locator
lighting on or off” (Y page 109) and
“Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off” (Y page 110).
Combination switch
High beam XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 74).
XSwitching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
XSwitching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow ; to its original
position.
iAlso note the information on high-beam
headlamps with activated automatic
headlamp mode (Y page 75) or the daytime
running lamp mode (Y page 76).
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow ;.
Turn signals
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow : or ;.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or # in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automatically
after major steering wheel movements.
iTo signal minor directional changes such
as changing lanes, press the combination
switch only to point of resistance and
release. The corresponding turn signal
lamps will flash three times.
Lighting77Controls in detail463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 77Z
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
XSwitching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
XSwitching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off.
Headlamp cleaning system
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress headlamp cleaning button :.
The headlamps are cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet.
The headlamps will be cleaned automatically
when you have
Rswitched on the headlamps
and
Rthe windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid fifteen times
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 157).
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only operate
Rin low ambient lighting conditions
Rat vehicle speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h)
Rwith the front fog lamps switched off
Rwhen the engine is running
Switching on
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L or Ã.
or
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
(Y page 76).
XSwitch on the left or right turn signal,
depending on whether you are turning left
or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on. If
you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
other direction, the corner-illuminating
78LightingControls in detail
463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 78
front fog lamp on the side of the turn signal
comes on.
or
XTurn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
Driving forward: The front fog lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes on.
Driving in reverse: The front fog lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes
on.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal. If the corner-illuminating
front fog lamps came on automatically, they
will also go out automatically depending on
the steering angle and vehicle speed.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the
vehicle if you turn the steering wheel in one
direction and then again in the other direction
shortly thereafter.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp
remains lit for a short time only. It then goes
out automatically.
Switching off
XSwitch off the left or right turn signal.
or
XSteer straight ahead.
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps go out.
Interior lighting in the front
The interior lighting controls are located in
the overhead control panel.
:Left reading lamp;p Left reading lamp on/off=Right reading lamp?p Right reading lamp on/offARocker switch for automatic control and
manual control
BInterior lamp
Automatic control
XActivating: Press rocker switch A to
center position.
The interior lighting (except cargo
compartment lamps) comes on in
darkness, when you
Runlock the vehicle
Rremove the SmartKey from the starter
switch (Interior Light.
Delay.Sw.Off must be switched on
(Y page 111))
Ropen a front door (the interior lighting in
the front comes on)
Ropen a rear door (the interior lighting in
the rear comes on)
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after a few minutes
when the SmartKey is removed.
Lighting79Controls in detail463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 79Z
SmartKey. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the driver’s outside door handle.XAim the transmitter eye of the SmartKey at
the driver’s outside door handle.XPress and hold button % on the
SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/
sliding sunroof have reached the desired
position.
The vehicle unlocks.XRelease button % on the SmartKey to
interrupt the opening procedure.
Convenience closing feature
When locking the vehicle, you can
simultaneously close the windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof.
GWarning!
When closing the windows and the tilt/sliding
sunroof, make sure there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as follows:
R Release button & to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold button
% . To continue the closing procedure
after making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure, press and hold button &.
The SmartKey must be in close proximity to
the driver’s outside door handle.
XAim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the
driver’s outside door handle.XPress and hold button & on the
SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/
sliding sunroof are closed completely.XRelease button & on the SmartKey to
interrupt the closing procedure.Driving and parking
Safety notes
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury.
GWarning!
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. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Starting the engine
GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Driving and parking85Controls in detail463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 85Z
Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
jPark position with gear selector lever lockkReverse geariNeutral positionhDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 89).
XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
Starting
XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 65) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
Starting difficulties
! Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked.
XTo unlock, remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
XGet a jump start (Y page 244).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
XLet the starter cool for about 2 minutes.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Driving off
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life
of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
86Driving and parkingControls in detail
463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 86
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
XEngaging: Pull up parking brake lever :
firmly.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp $ (USA only) or J
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Turning off the engine
GWarning!
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. 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.
XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
XEngage the parking brake.
iAlways engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position P.
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the automatic
transmission in park position P.
Automatic transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with an automatic
transmission, see “Driving and parking”
(Y page 85).
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury.
! Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature has
been reached.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the
engine and the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly
to operating temperature.
Gear selector lever
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
jPark position with gear selector lever lockkReverse gearAutomatic transmission89Controls in detail463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 89Z
XPress lower half (“HIGH”) of the transfer
case switch.
Once the shift is complete, transfer case
position H appears in transfer case
indicator :.
If the shifting procedure does not take place,
press lower half (“HIGH”) of the transfer case
switch once more.
XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D.
Messages in the multifunction display
If a shift was not completed and one of the
following messages appears in the
multifunction display:
R TC Shift Conditions Not Fulfilled
The shift did not take place. At least one
shift condition was not met.
XRepeat the shifting procedure.
R TC in Neutral
The shift did not take place. The transfer
case is in neutral. Transfer case position N
appears in transfer case indicator :.
XRepeat the shifting procedure.GWarning!
If the transfer case is in Neutral, the park
position P of the automatic transmission will
not hold the vehicle. The parking brake must
be engaged to hold the vehicle in place.
R TC shift Procedure Canceled
The shift did not take place.
XRepeat the shifting procedure.
R Transfer Case Services Required
There may be a malfunction in the system.
XRepeat the shifting procedure.
If the shifting procedure still does not take
place:
XHave the vehicle checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.i If the SmartKey is in starter switch
position 0 or 1, an alarm will sound if the
transfer case is in Neutral and the driver’s
door is opened.
Switch the transfer case to gear position
HIGH or LOW .
Differential locks
Differential locks improve the vehicle’s
tractive power off-road. Switch differential
locks
R for off-road driving
R to switch the ABS off during off-road driving
R for driving through water
R when driving on deep snow and icy or
fouled surfaces
! Do not switch the front axle differential
lock when driving around tight corners. This
restricts steering ability.
! When driving off-road, apply only
moderate pressure to the accelerator pedal
if the differential locks are switched on.
When operating the vehicle on a single-axle
dynamometer – no matter how briefly – you
must
R raise the axle not being driven
or
R disconnect the drive shaft
and
R switch the transfer case differential lock.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
GWarning!
Never drive on pavement with differential
locks switched.
Steering control will be strongly affected with
the differential locks activated.
Differential locks95Controls in detail463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 95Z
The ABS, BAS, and ESP® are switched off
automatically when the transfer case
differential lock is activated.
For more information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (Y page 184).
A few words about differentials and
differential locks
When a vehicle negotiates a turn, wheels on
the outside of the curve must travel farther
and rotate faster than the inside wheels. The
differential, the operation of a set of gears
that allows the powered wheels in a vehicle
to turn at different speeds, makes this
essential function possible.
The drawback is that the differential also
sends most of the engine’s power to the
wheel with the least load or strain on it. For
example, if one of a vehicle’s powered wheels
sits on a patch of snow and spins because
there is no traction, all of the engine’s power
will go to that wheel because the power will
take the path of least resistance. Meanwhile,
the opposite wheel, sitting on dry pavement
where it could get enough grip to start the
vehicle moving, sits idle because it receives
no power.
The 4-ETS addresses this problem and
provides for good control and steering ability
by automatically slowing the slipping wheel
and thus increasing the power to the other
non-slipping drive wheels to get the vehicle
moving. The ESP® and the 4-ETS in this
vehicle feature such intelligent limited-slip
differential technology, ideally suited for on-
road and light off-road driving. Transfer case
position LOW (Y page 93) also enhances off-
road driving capabilities.
More extreme off-road conditions may call for
another solution, engaging a differential lock
or preventing the differential from operating
altogether. This vehicle comes with three
differential locks: front, transfer case
(center), and rear. Each can be engaged
simply by pushing dashboard-mounted
switches in sequential order (center, rear,
front) (Y page 96). When the transfer case
(center) differential is locked, half of the
engine’s power is automatically distributed to
the front wheels and half to the rear wheels.
When the rear differential is locked, power
going to the rear wheels is equally distributed,
so that both rear wheels turn at the same
speed and torque. Please be aware that
engaging the differential locks will
significantly reduce the steering ability of the
vehicle.
For your safety and the safety of others and
to prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads. It is important to
understand that during on-road/paved
driving, differentials are absolutely necessary
for providing the essential control and
steering ability of the vehicle. The differential
locks, therefore, must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads and should only be
used to the extent necessary to negotiate off-
road conditions which cannot be handled by
the systems (the 4-ETS, the ESP®, and the
manual switch position “LOW” of transfer
case) this vehicle comes equipped with.
Switching differential locks on and off
The switches are located on the upper part of
the center console.
:Transfer case (center) differential lock;Rear axle differential lock=Front differential lock96Differential locksControls in detail
463_AKB; 3; 35, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T20:59:56+02:00 - Seite 96