contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it available
to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R Service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R Unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.
R Gasoline may have a considerably lower
octane rating, and improper fuel can cause
engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe under our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safetyGWarning!
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWarning!
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole. If you feel a sudden significant
vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect
that damage to your vehicle as occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers
R slow down carefully
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
Introduction21230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 21Z
Exterior view .......................................26
Multifunction steering wheel .............27
Cockpit .................................................28
Instrument cluster ..............................30
Center console ....................................33
Overhead control panel ......................35
Door control panel ..............................35
25At a glance230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 25
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 unlocking68Opening and closing73,
75
Valet locking77;Rear window defroster155=Fuel filler flap178?Doors:Locking and unlocking68,
267
AExterior rear view mirrors86BRetractable hardtop155CWindshield:Wiping with washer fluid96Cleaning219DWipers95FunctionPageWiper blades, replacing275Wiper blades, cleaning219EHood180FFront lamps271GHeadlamp cleaning system93HFront towing eye288ITires and wheels186Rims and tires299JRear lamps271KRear towing eye28826Exterior viewAt a glance
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Multifunction steering wheelFunctionPage:Left multifunction display114;Right multifunction display114=Press button ~:to end a call129to reject an incoming call129Press button 6:to answer a call129to dial1129to redial1129Press button W or X:to select submenus in the
Settings menu122
to set valuesto operate the RACETIMER2117to set the volume?Press button V or U
to select next/previous
menu.113
FunctionPagePress button & or *
briefly:
to move within a menuto select previous or next
track, scene or stored
station within Audio/DVD
menu119
to switch to the phone book
and select a name or
number within Telephone
menu129
Press and hold button
& or *:
to select previous or next
track with quick search or
to select previous or next
station in station list or
wave band within Audio/
DVD menu119
to start the quick search in
the phone book within
Telephone menu129
1Function only available in telephone menu.2AMG vehicles only.
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CockpitFunctionPage:Exterior lamp switch89;Headlamp cleaning button93=Cruise control lever:Cruise control131Distronic136?Left steering wheel
gearshift control108
AInstrument cluster30,
111
BMultifunction steering
wheel
27,
113
CRight steering wheel
gearshift control108
DLever for Voice Control
System3EFront Parktronic warning
indicators 146
FDigital clock FunctionPageGStorage compartments
(locking/unlocking)161
HOverhead control panel35IGlove box161JCenter console33KStarter switch78LHorn MSteering wheel adjustment85NCombination switch:Turn signals92Wipers95High beam92OParking brake pedal102POn-board diagnostics
(OBD) socket
QHood lock release1803See separate operating instructions.28CockpitAt a glance
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Lower partFunctionPage:Gear selector lever103;Parktronic system
deactivation switch147
=Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment86
?ABC suspension tuning
button143
ATow-away alarm switch64BPower-folding exterior rear
view mirrors, Canada only88
CRetractable hardtop switch155Roll bar buttons51DABC vehicle level control
button142
EElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®) switch656
FunctionPageFThumbwheel for setting
following distance for
Distronic6133,
138
GDistance warning function
switch6133,
141
HProgram mode selector
switch61066Layout in SL 63 AMG differs.34Center consoleAt a glance
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could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury
as well.
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.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Air bags
GWarning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag)
R side impacts (head-thorax air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of 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 injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their seat belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly 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.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
R Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible
rearward from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the head-
thorax air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the head-Occupant safety39Safety and security230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 39Z
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
RAir bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check with your local
government’s disposal guidelines.
California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
RAir bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced.
RDo not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
RDo not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
RDo not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
RNo modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
RDo no change or remove any component or
part of the SRS.
RDo not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, passenger front air bag cover,
outboard sides of the seat backrests, door
trim panels, or door frame trims.
RDo not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
RKeep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
RAir bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
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.
RImproper 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.
RFor 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.
RGiven 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, we strongly
recommend 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.
Front air bags
GObserve Safety notes, see page 39.
Driver’s front air bag : and passenger front
air bag ; are designed to provide increased
protection for the driver and passenger
against the risk of injuries to the head and
thorax.
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