
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
cargo, do not stop the vehicle immediately,
but drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roadsGWarning
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt
treated roads
GWarning
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs.
Maintenance of the brakes
! If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. This work
should be carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
GWarning
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: a function or
performance test may only be carried out
on a two-axle dynamometer. If you are
planning to have the vehicle tested on such
a dynamometer, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to obtain further
information first. Otherwise, the drive train
or the brake system may suffer damage.
! As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1 in the ignition lock) when:
R testing the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front or rear axle raised (not
permitted for vehicles with 4MATIC).
146Driving tipsDriving and parking
BA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 146

Vehicle equipment ............................162
Important safety notes ....................162
Displays and operation ....................162
Menus and submenus ......................165
Display messages ............................. 175
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ............................195161On-board computer and displaysBA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 161

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Important safety notes
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
( Y page 26).
GWarning
A driver's attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions permit
it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.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.
Displays and operation
Coolant temperature gauge
GWarning
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the right-hand side.
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant
temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †).
! If the coolant temperature is too high a
display message is shown.
162Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays
BA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 162

Settings menu
Introduction
In the Settings menu, you have the following
options:
R Changing the instrument cluster settings
R Changing the time/date settings 21
R Changing the lighting settings
R Changing the vehicle settings
R Changing the convenience settings
R Restoring the factory settings
Instrument cluster
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in km/h or mph in the
multifunction display.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R the digital speedometer in the Trip menu
R the odometer and the trip odometer
R the trip computer
R the navigation instructions in the Navi
menu
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Display Unit Speed-/Odometer.
function.
You will see the selected setting: km or
miles .XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the permanent display function
The Permanent Display: function allows
you to choose whether the multifunction
display always shows the outside
temperature or the speed in km/h (USA) or
mph (Canada).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress : or 9 to select the
Permanent Display: function.
You will see the selected setting Outside
Temperature or Speedometer [km/h]: .XPress the a button to save the setting.
Time/date
This submenu is only available on vehicles
with Audio 20. To set the time and date on
vehicles with COMAND, see the separate
operating instructions.
In the Time/date submenu, you can set the
time and date.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Time/date submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Time: or Date: .
The current time or date set is displayed.XPress a to change the setting.21
This function is not available in vehicles with COMAND.Menus and submenus171On-board computer and displaysBA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 171Z

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist), hill start
assist and trailer stabilization are not available due to a
malfunction. In addition, the ä and å warning lamps light
up in the instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.÷
ESC Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are
temporarily unavailable. In addition, the ä and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilization are
temporarily unavailable. In addition, the ä and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
The on-board voltage may be insufficient, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.176Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
BA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 176

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsGRisk of accident
If the display message is shown and the ä warning lamp flashes
at the same time, ETS (Electronic Traction System) is deactivated.
The brakes on the drive wheels could otherwise overheat.
XLet the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the ä warning lamp goes out.
ETS is active again.G
Tele Aid
InoperativeUSA only: one or more main functions in the mbrace system are
malfunctioning.
Canada only: one or more of the main functions of the TELEAID
system is malfunctioning.XUSA only: have the mbrace system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.XCanada only: have the TELEAID system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.Check Child Seat
Pos.
See Operator's
ManualGRisk of injury
Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
The BabySmart™ child seat is positioned incorrectly.
XInstall the child seat in the correct position.GRisk of injury
Vehicles with BabySmart™ (Canada only):
The sensor for automatic child seat recognition is faulty.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
SRS Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System). The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Front Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Front Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages177On-board computer and displaysBA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 177Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions6
Rear Left SRS
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Rear Right SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear on the left or right. The 6
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Rear Center SRS
Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear center. The 6 warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.6
Left Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service Required
or
Right Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service RequiredGRisk of injury
There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window
curtain air bag. The 6 warning lamp also lights up in the
instrument cluster.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GWarning
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.
178Display messagesOn-board computer and displays
BA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 178

BrakesDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
ABS and ESC
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are temporarily unavailable. The self-diagnosis might
not be finished, for example. In addition, the ä, å
and ! warning lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XCarefully drive a suitable distance making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, hill start assist and trailer stabilization are
temporarily unavailable. The on-board voltage may be insufficient,
for example. In addition, the ä, å and ! warning lamps
light up in the instrument cluster.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages181On-board computer and displaysBA 204.9 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 6, en-USd2mwentsVersion: 3.0.3.62010-06-15T08:58:39+02:00 - Seite 181Z