
V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 388
Vehicle
Data acquisition ............................... 27
Emergency unlocking .......................80
Equipment ....................................... 23
Exterior view .................................... 30
Individual settings (on-board
computer) ...................................... 341
Loading .......................................... 448
Lowering ........................................ 425
Maintenance .................................... 24
Parking up ..................................... 286
Raising ........................................... 422
Reporting problems .........................26
Towing away .................................. 430
Tow-starting ................................... 430
Transporting .................................. 433
Vehicle data
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 474
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 467
Vehicle level ...................................... 304
Active Body Control .......................305
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 364
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 420
Vehicle weights ................................. 474
Video (DVD) ........................................ 335
Video DVD Fast forward/rewind ...................... 225
Operation ....................................... 223
Pause function ............................... 226
Selecting ........................................ 225
Selecting a film/title ...................... 226
Selecting a scene/chapter ............226
Stop function ................................. 226
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 335
Video DVD mode Switching to ................................... 224
VIN ...................................................... 467
Voice Control System Settings ................................. 130, 131Volume
Adjusting ....................................... 124
Navigation announcements ...........124
Phone calls .................................... 124
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 377
Brakes ........................................... 375
Check Engine ................................. 380
ESP ®
.............................................. 378
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 379
Fuel tank ........................................ 380
Overview .......................................... 33
Reserve fuel ................................... 380
Seat belt ........................................ 376
SRS ................................................ 379
Tire pressure monitor ....................381
Warranty ............................................ 466
Waveband Switching (radio) ............................ 196
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 425
Wheel chock ...................................... 422
Wheels Changing/replacing .......................460
Changing a wheel .......................... 421
Checking ........................................ 438
Cleaning ......................................... 412
Mounting a wheel .......................... 424
Removing a wheel ..........................424
Storing ........................................... 461
Tightening torque ........................... 425
Wheel size/tire size .......................461
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 347
Operation ......................................... 46
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) ..... 413
Windshield Defrosting ...................................... 260
Infrared reflective .......................... 400
Windshield washer fluid (display
message) ............................................ 373
Windshield washer system Adding washer fluid .......................408
Notes ............................................. 473
Index21

Exterior viewFunctionPage:Trunk lid81Vehicle tool kit420;Lights250=Rear window defroster261?Fuel filler flap281AExterior mirrors100BSliding sunroof88CDefrosting the windshield260Cleaning the windows413FunctionPageDWindshield wipers251EOpens the hood404Engine oil405Coolant407FTowing430GTires and wheels438Flat tire42130Exterior viewAt a glance

Center consoleFunctionPage:Function button for the
radio and CD/DVD/SD
card109
;Back button109=Hazard warning lamps248?Lumbar support237Multicontour seat238AFunction button for the
telephone and navigation
system137
BSwitches COMAND on/off123FunctionPageCAdjusts the volume124DProgrammable button109ETelephone keypad110FRear window roller sunblind389GRetracts the rear seat head
restraints95
HSelects the drive program277ICOMAND controller108Center console35At a glance

Door control panelFunctionPage:Opens the door79;&% Locks/unlocks
the vehicle from the inside
79
=Adjusts the seat electrically94?r 45=
Memory function
102
w Adjusts the front-
passenger seat from the
driver’s seat
94
Ac Seat heating97s Seat ventilation98B7Zª\
Adjusts and folds the
exterior mirrors in/out
electrically
100
CW Opens/closes the
side windows
85
FunctionPageDn Activates/
deactivates the override
feature for the side
windows in the rear
compartment
60
Ep Opens/closes the
trunk lid
82
Door control panel37At a glance

GWarning
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the 6 SRS warning lamp:
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out approximately 4 seconds
after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise the SRS
may not be activated when it is 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.
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
for details. USA only: Call our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, the
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD)
and the air bag
GWarning
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. PRE-
SAFE ®
has electrically operated reversible
belt tensioners in addition to the
pyrotechnic ETDs.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. to the:
- padded steering wheel boss
- knee bag covers
- front-passenger air bag cover
- outer side of front seat bolsters
- side trim next to the rear seat backrest
- roof lining trim
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.Occupant safety41SafetyZ

RNever place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair 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.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, Mercedes-Benz
strongly recommends that you inform the
subsequent owner that the vehicle is
equipped with SRS. Also refer them to the
applicable section in the Operator's Manual.
Air bags
Important safety notes
GWarning
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
R frontal impacts (driver's and front-
passenger front air bags and driver's knee
bag)
R side impacts (side impact air bags and
window curtain air bags)
R rollover (window curtain air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave 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 injuries during front air
bag inflation, the driver and front-passenger
must always be seated correctly and have
their seat belts fastened accordingly.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision, you must always be in the normal
seat position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure
that it is correctly 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
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
42Occupant safetySafety

seat belt is not fastened (the belt tongue is
not engaged in the seat belt buckle), the side
impact air bag on the front-passenger side
will not deploy. The side impact air bag on the
front-passenger side will deploy if the front-
passenger seat belt is fastened, regardless of
whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
or not.
Window curtain air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 42).
The window curtain air bags enhance the level
of protection for the head (but not chest or
arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
The window curtain air bags are integrated
into the side of the roof frame and deploy in
the area extending from the front door (A-
pillar) to the rear sidewall (C-pillar).
Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
Ron the side on which an impact occurs
Rat the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
Rregardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
Rindependently of seat belt use
Rif the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rindependently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
Operating principles of the Occupant
Classification System
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 42 indicator
lamp. With the 42 indicator
lamp illuminated, the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
Rthe side impact air bag
Rthe window curtain air bag
Rthe Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
Rwith the seat belt properly fastened
Rin a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
Rwith their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front passenger seat, the seat cover, or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
46Occupant safetySafety

PRE-SAFE®
systemGWarning
The PRE-SAFE ®
system reduces the impact of
an accident on vehicle occupants, as long as
their seat belts have been fastened correctly.
Although your vehicle is equipped with a PRE-
SAFE ®
system, the possibility of injury in the
event of an accident cannot be ruled out. You
should therefore always drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous
situations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. if BAS
is activated or, in vehicles with DISTRONIC
PLUS, where BAS PLUS intervenes
powerfully
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceeded and the
vehicle understeers or oversteers severely
or when having to swerve to avoid an
obstacle at a speed
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R the front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is
in an unfavorable position.
R it increases the air pressure in the side
bolsters of the seat cushion and seat
backrest of the active multicontour seats in
the front.
R if the vehicle skids, the side windows and
sliding sunroof are closed so that only a
small gap remains.
If the sliding sunroof or a side window is
obstructed when closing, the closing
procedure is stopped. The obstructed sliding
sunroof or side window then opens again
slightly.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, all settings made by
PRE-SAFE ®
can be reversed. The air pressure
in the side bolsters on the active multicontour
seat is reduced again.
If the seat belts are not released:XMove the backrest back slightly, but only
when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.GWarning
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you adjust the seat.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
Seat belts
Important safety notes
The use of infant or child restraint systems is
required by law in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, the U.S. territories and all
Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 56) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
GWarning!
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure all of your passengers are
properly restrained. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can
be considerably more severe without your
Occupant safety51SafetyZ