
Instrument clusterFunctionPage:Coolant temperature gauge327;Fuel gauge with:Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp496
K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 301
! Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator
lamp 490
6 Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp 494
=Parktronic/Parking
Guidance warning indicator
for left front area349
?Multifunction display with:Speedometer F Electronic parking
brake warning or indicator
lamps, USA only492
FunctionPage! Electronic parking
brake warning or indicator
lamps, Canada only492
$ Brake warning lamp,
USA only492
J Brake warning lamp,
Canada only492
7 Seat belt telltale 493h Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only
414,
497
h Low tire pressure
telltale, Canada only
414,
497
# Left turn signal
indicator lamp
! Right turn signal
indicator lamp
÷ ESC warning lamp 473· Distance warning
lamp14961Vehicles without DISTRONIC PLUS: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. Itshould go out when the engine is running.
32Instrument clusterAt a glance
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FunctionPageå ESC OFF warning
lamp
473
j Parking space indicator
lamp
350
é Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning
lamp, S 400 HYBRID only 2Green or yellow READY
indicator lamp for the
HYBRID system, S 400
HYBRID only 2AParktronic/Parking
Guidance warning indicator
for right front area
349
BTransmission position/
range indicator
321
CTachometer with: ; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
496
FunctionPageDProgram mode indicator322EMain menus for instrument
cluster control system
222
FOutside temperature327GDisplay with:Additional speedometer235_ Adaptive Highbeam
Assist indicator lamp
301
à Lane Keeping
Assistance indicator lamp
362
À Attention Assist
indicator lamp
355
Ä PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
indicator lamp
232
orHOLD function indicator
lamp
3422 See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Instrument cluster33At a glance221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 33Z

Control systemsFunctionPage:Press button % briefly to
cancel Voice Control
System, back, confirm
messages.
Press and hold button
% to select the standard
display.
;Press button = or ;
to select menus.
Press button : or 9
briefly:
to select function or scroll
through lists
within Audio menu to
select previous or next
track, scene or stored
station
within Telephone menu to
switch to the phone book
and select a name or
number
FunctionPagePress and hold
button : or 9:
within Audio to select
previous or next station in
station list or wave band
within Telephone menu to
start the quick search in the
phone book
Press button a to
confirm selection or
messages.
=Multifunction display222?Press button ~:to end a call158to reject an incoming call156Press button 6:to answer a call156to dial156to redial157Press button 8 to mute.34Control systemsAt a glance
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FunctionPagePress button W or X :to set the volumeto operate the RACETIMER 3APress button
?:to activate Voice Control
System
239
to accept a call156BInstrument cluster
illumination
326
CSwiveling COMAND display78DCOMAND display
illumination
78
ECOMAND display78FClock92GCD/DVD changer179HSD card slot180IRear window sunshade
switch
386
JHead restraint release
switch
291
KProgram mode selector
switch for automatic
transmission
322
LShortcut button for:CD/DVD/SD card181Radio166MBack button87NHazard warning flasher
switch
302
OSeat menu button216PShortcut button for:Telephone150Navigation101FunctionPageQCOMAND on/off button77RVolume control88SFavorite button94TTelephone keypad150UCOMAND controller793 AMG vehicles onlyControl systems35At a glance221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 35Z

If the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 42 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bags
If the front passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by
R the rate of relevant vehicle deceleration as
assessed by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger’s weight category as
identified by the OCS
For more information on air bag display
messages in the multifunction display, see
( Y page 455).GWarning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropriate
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat
belt and top tether strap, or lower anchors and
top tether strap, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the front
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the front passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to
completely eliminate this risk is to never
place a child in a rear-facing child restraint
in the front seat. We therefore strongly
recommend that you always place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in a backseat.
R If you must install a rear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to do
so, make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated, indicating
that the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. Should the 42
indicator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
42 indicator lamp while
driving to make sure the 42
indicator lamp is illuminated. If the
42 indicator lamp goes out or
remains out, do not transport a child on the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat will be seriouslyOccupant safety47Safety and security221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 47Z

Steering wheel
GObserve Safety notes, see page 293.XPosition steering wheel : properly
(Y page 294).
Make sure:
RYou can reach the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent at the elbows.
RYou can move your legs freely.
RAll displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible.
Seat belt
GObserve Safety notes, see page 49.XFasten and position your seat belt ;
correctly (Y page 51).
Make sure:
RThe seat belt is always fitted snugly.
RAdjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder.
RPlace the lap portion of the seat belt as low
as possible on your hips.
Seat and head restraintGObserve Safety notes, see page 286.XPosition seat = and head restraint
properly. See (Y page 287) for seat and
head restraint adjustment.
Observe the following points:
RAlways be in a properly seated position.
RThe position should be as far rearward from
the front air bag in the steering wheel as
possible, while still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls.
RAdjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
RThe seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten and position your seat belt.
RThe seat backrest must be in a position that
is as nearly upright as possible.
RAdjust the seat cushion so that the front
edge of the seat cushion lightly supports
your legs.
RAdjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.
RNever place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Children in the vehicle
Safety notes
If an infant or child is traveling with you in the
vehicle:
XSecure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and size of
the child.
XMake sure the infant or child is properly
secured at all times while the vehicle is in
motion.
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Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
R ABS (
Antilock Brake System)
R Adaptive Brake
R Adaptive Brake Lights
R BAS (
Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS (
Brake Assist System PLUS)
R EBP (
Electronic Brake Proportioning)
R ESC (
Electronic Stability Control)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (
Preventive Occupant
Safety System Brake)
i In 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 notes
GWarning!
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.GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
ABS
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.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.
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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.GWarning!
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving safety
systems such as the BAS or the ESC are also
switched off. Observe indicator and warning
lamps that may come on as well as messages
in the multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
BAS
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the brakes
very quickly, the BAS provides full brake
boost automatically, thereby potentially
reducing the braking distance.
XApply continuous full braking pressure until
the emergency braking situation is over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.When you release the brake pedal, the brakes
function again as normal. The BAS is then
deactivated.GWarning!
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking distance may increase.
BAS PLUS
The Brake Assist System PLUS (BAS PLUS)
operates in emergency braking situations and
uses radar sensors to assess the traffic
situation. BAS PLUS assists you in braking at
speeds above approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h).
When traveling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off the
radar sensor system ( Y page 236). Canadian
law does not permit the use of the radar
sensor system for vehicles from outside of
Canada.
When you switch off the radar system, the
following functions are deactivated:
R BAS PLUS
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 69)
R DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 330)
R Blind Spot Assist ( Y page 359)
GWarning!
BAS PLUS is a convenience system designed
to assist the driver during vehicle operation.
The responsibility for the vehicle speed and
the distance to the vehicle ahead, including
most importantly brake operation to assure
safe stopping distance, always remains with
the driver.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while BAS PLUS is switched on.
Otherwise, you may not be able to recognize
dangerous situations until it is too late and
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