quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.XDepress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.
i
Shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
XWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmission
shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows
the catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
For more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 209).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
R An ignition cable may be damaged.
R The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
R Unburned gasoline may have entered the
catalytic converter and damaged it.
XGive very little gas.XHave the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡ (120†)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.XTurn off the engine immediately.XAllow the engine and coolant to cool off.XCheck the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 184).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
XDo not start the engine under any
circumstances.XExit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.XNotify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
XStart the engine in the usual manner.
Parking
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Driving and parking101Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 101Z
Vehicle movement may result in serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the
following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
RKeep right foot on the brake pedal.
REngage the parking brake.
RShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
RSlowly release the brake pedal.
RWhen parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
RTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-
GO start/stop button.
RTake the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.
Parking brake
GWarning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged.
GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
XReleasing: Pull on release handle :.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning lamp
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
XEngaging: Step on parking brake
pedal ; 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.
With SmartKey
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
102Driving and parkingControls in detail
230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 102
XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the automatic
transmission in park position P.
With KEYLESS-GO
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
With the driver’s door closed, the starter
switch is now in position 1. With the driver’s
door opened, the starter switch is set to
position 0, same as the SmartKey removed
from the starter switch (Y page 78).
If an acoustic warning sounds, you have tried
to turn off the engine with the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button while the automatic
transmission was not in park position P.
Read and observe messages that may appear
in the multifunction display (Y page 234).
Automatic transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with an automatic
transmission, see “Driving and parking”
(Y page 98).
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 geariNeutral positionhDrive positionGWarning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
Automatic transmission103Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 103Z
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
iShifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
iThe current gear selector lever position
corresponds with the current transmission
position.
The current transmission position P, R, N,
or D appears in the right multifunction
display (Y page 104).
There are additional indicators on the cover
of the shifting gate showing the current gear
selector lever position.
The indicators come on when you insert the
SmartKey into the starter switch, and go out
when you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects individual
gears automatically, depending onRthe selected gear range (Y page 106)
Rthe selected program mode:
C/S (Y page 106)
or
M (vehicles with AMG Sport Package,
SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG only)
(Y page 109)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
Rlimiting the gear range
Rextending the gear range
Rchanging the gears manually (vehicles with
AMG Sport Package, SL 63 AMG and
SL 65 AMG only)
SL 63 AMG: Double-clutching is active when
downshifting in all program modes. Double-
clutching reduces load-alteration effects and
supports sporty driving. The degree to which
you perceive double-clutching acoustically
varies depending on the selected program
mode.
Transmission positions
The current transmission position appears in
the right multifunction display.
:Transmission position indicator 104Automatic transmissionControls in detail
230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 104
EffectBPark position
Shift the automatic transmission
into park position P only when the
vehicle is stopped. The park
position is not intended to serve as
a brake when the vehicle is parked.
Rather, the driver should always
engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position P to
secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the
gear selector lever in park position
P . With the SmartKey removed from
the starter switch, the gear selector
lever is locked in park position P.
If the vehicle’s electrical system is
malfunctioning, the gear selector
lever could remain locked in park
position P.XHave the vehicle’s electrical
system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.CReverse gear
Shift the automatic transmission
into reverse gear R only when the
vehicle is stopped.EffectANeutral position
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the
transmission, never shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N while driving.
Exception: If the ESP ®
is switched
off or malfunctioning, shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding.
! Coasting the vehicle, or driving
for any other reason with the
automatic transmission in
neutral position N can result in
transmission damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.7Drive position
The automatic transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears are
available.
Driving tips
Kickdown
Use the kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
XU.S. vehicles except AMG vehicles:
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.XCanada vehicles and AMG vehicles:
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.Automatic transmission105Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 105Z
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
Rspeed
Routside temperature
Rwarning/indicator lamps
Rmalfunction/warning messages
Rfailure 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.
:Reset button
For information on changing the instrument
cluster settings, e.g. the language, see
(Y page 122).
Activating the instrument cluster
The instrument cluster is activated when you
Ropen a door
Rswitch on the ignition
Rpress reset button :
Rswitch on the exterior lamps
iOpening a door activates the instrument
cluster illumination only for about
30 seconds.
Adjusting the instrument cluster
illumination
Use reset button : to adjust the illumination
brightness for the instrument cluster and the
switches on the center console.
XTo brighten illumination: Turn reset
button : clockwise until the desired level
of illumination is reached.
XTo dim illumination: Turn reset
button : counterclockwise until the
desired level of illumination is reached.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit
ambient light conditions.
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is located on
the left side in the instrument cluster
(Y page 30).
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.
During severe operating conditions, e.g. stop-
and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248‡ (120†).
! Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning in the multifunction display and the
red coolant temperature warning
lamp ? in the instrument cluster comes
on.
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248‡ (120†).
112Instrument clusterControls in detail
230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 112
XPress the reset button in the instrument
cluster (Y page 111) for approximately
3 seconds.
The request to press the reset button once
more to confirm appears in the right
multifunction display.
XPress the reset button once more.
The settings you have changed will not be
reset unless you confirm the action by
pressing the reset button a second time.
Submenus in the Settings menu
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button &.
The collection of the submenus appears in
the right multifunction display. There are
more submenus than can be displayed
simultaneously.
XPress button X.
The selection marker moves to the next
submenu.
XScroll down with button X, scroll up
with button W.
XWith the selection marker on the desired
submenu, use button & to access the
individual functions within that submenu.
XOnce within the submenu, use button
& to move to the next function or button
* to move to the previous function
within that submenu.
XUse button W or X to change the
settings of the respective function.
The following lists show what settings can be
changed within the various menus. Detailed
instructions on making individual settings can
be found on the following pages.
Instrument cluster submenu
RSelecting speedometer/odometer display
mode (Y page 123) (Canada only)
RSelecting digital speedometer display
mode (Y page 123)
RSelecting language (Y page 123)
RSelecting standard display (Y page 124)
Lighting submenu
RSwitching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 124)
RSwitching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 125)
RSwitching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off (Y page 125)
RSwitching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off (Y page 126)
Vehicle submenu
RSwitching automatic central locking on or
off (Y page 126)
Convenience submenu
RActivating easy-entry/exit feature
(Y page 127)
Instrument cluster submenu
Access the Instr. Cluster submenu via
the Settings menu. Use the Instr.
Cluster submenu to change the instrument
cluster display settings.
122Control systemControls in detail
230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 122
For safety reasons, resetting all the functions
of all submenus to the factory settings while
driving (Y page 121) will not deactivate the
daytime running lamp mode.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display:
Lighting Cannot be fully reset to
factory settings while driving.
Switching locator lighting on or off
With the locator lighting feature activated and
the exterior lamp switch in position Ã, the
following lamps will come on during darkness
when the vehicle is unlocked using button
% on the SmartKey:
RParking lamps
RTail lamps
RLicense plate lamps
RSide marker lamps
RFront fog lamps
The locator lighting goes out when the driver’s
door is opened.
If you do not open the driver’s door after
unlocking the vehicle with the SmartKey, the
lamps will go out automatically after
approximately 40 seconds.
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button &.XMove the selection marker with button
W or X to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message Locator Lighting appears
in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button W or X to switch the
locator lighting function On or Off.
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
à when exiting the vehicle.
The locator lighting feature is activated.
Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on
or off
Use this function to set whether you would
like the exterior lamps to remain on for
15 seconds during darkness after exiting the
vehicle and closing all doors.
With the headlamps delayed shut-off feature
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position à before the engine is turned off,
the following lamps will come on when the
engine is turned off:
RParking lamps
RTail lamps
RLicense plate lamps
RSide marker lamps
RFront fog lamps
If, after turning off the engine, you do not
open a door or do not close an opened door,
the lamps will automatically go out after
60 seconds.
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button &.XMove the selection marker with button
W or X to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message Headlamps Delayed
Switch-off appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Control system125Controls in detail230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 125Z