
Instrument cluster
Overview
FunctionPage:Speedometer;Upshift indicator126=Tachometer148?Engine oil temperature
display
148
FunctionPageAMultifunction display149BFuel gaugeInstrument cluster27At a glance

Multifunction steering wheelFunctionPage:Multifunction display149;COMAND with display; see
the separate operating
instructions=6~ Makes/accepts
or rejects/ends a call
155
WX Increases/
reduces volume8 Mute?? Switches on the Voice
Control System; see the
separate operating
instructionsFunctionPageA% Back or deactivates
the Voice Control SystemB=; Selects a menu1499: Selects a
submenu or scrolls through
listsa Confirms selections
and hides display
messagesMultifunction steering wheel29At a glance

GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp lights up when
the front-passenger seat is occupied by an
adult or a larger person, ask the passenger to
reposition themselves on the seat so that the
45 indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag and front-passenger knee bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
front-passenger occupant as weighing as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the
front-passenger seat is classified as being
unoccupied.
If OCS has detected that the front passenger
weighs the same as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
system, the 45 indicator lamp lights
up when the engine is started and remains lit.
This indicates that the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated.
If OCS determines that the front-passenger
seat is unoccupied, the 45 indicator
lamp lights up once the engine has been
started and remains lit. This shows that the
front-passenger front air bag and front-
passenger knee bag are deactivated.
If OCS determines that the front passenger
weighs more than a typical 12 month old child
in a standard child restraint system and
classifies this as a small person (e.g. a
teenager or small adult), the 45
indicator lamp lights up for approximately 6
seconds when the engine is started.
Depending on occupant weight sensor
readings from the seat, it will then remain
illuminated or go out. If the 45
indicator lamp is illuminated, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. With
the 45 indicator lamp out, the front-
passenger front air bag and front-passenger
knee bag are deactivated.
If OCS has determined that the front
passenger is an adult or medium sized person,
the 45 indicator lamp lights up for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then goes out. This shows that the
front-passenger front air bag and front-
passenger knee bag are activated.
If the 45 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag and the
front-passenger knee bag are deactivated and
are not deployed.
If the 45 indicator lamp does not light
up, the front-passenger air bag is enabled and
will be deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the other air bags
If the front-passenger air bag is deployed, the
rate of inflation is influenced by:
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
determined by the OCS
For further information, see "Air bag display
messages" ( Y page 171).GWARNING
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 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.
Occupant safety43SafetyZ

Problems with the occupant classification systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 45
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated.
The person on the
front-passenger seat:
R has the weight of a
typical adult
R has been determined
by the system not to
be a child.The OCS is malfunctioning.XHave the OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 171).GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of a typical
adult or someone larger than a small individual has been detected on the passenger seat, do not
allow any occupant to use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 45
indicator lamp does not
illuminate and/or does
not remain illuminated.
The front-passenger
seat is:
R unoccupied
R occupied with a
weight up to or less
than a typical 12-
month-old child in a
standard child
restraint systemThe OCS is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto
the seat.XIf the 45 indicator lamp does not illuminate, have the
OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front-passenger
seat as long as the OCS is not functioning.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 171).GWARNING
If the 45 indicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child restraint or less, or is unoccupied, on the front-passenger
seat, do not transport a child on the front-passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
46Occupant safetySafety

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.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about
5 mph(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-
surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
The ! warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.XTo make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.GWARNING
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
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 the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
( Y page 56).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
Driving safety systems55SafetyZ

if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the h warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.GWARNING
If the h warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could go into a skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running. In the following situations,
it may be better to activate SPORT handling
mode or deactivate ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
GWARNING
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. Otherwise,
ESP ®
will only be able to stabilize the vehicle
to a limited degree if the vehicle starts to skid
or if a wheel starts to spin.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is
deactivated
When you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the h warning lamp
in the instrument cluster does not flash. In
such situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the
vehicle.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
ESP
®
is activated as soon as you start the
engine.
XTo deactivate ESP ®
: press and hold down
button : until the h and å warning
lamps in the instrument panel light up.
The OFF message appears in the
multifunction display.Driving safety systems57SafetyZ

GWARNING
ESP®
is deactivated if the h and å
warning lamps in the instrument cluster are
lit continuously when the engine is running.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle
skidding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
XTo activate ESP ®
: when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP ®
is deactivated,
press button : briefly.
The h and å warning lamps in the
instrument cluster go out. The ON message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode
GWARNING
SPORT handling mode should not be switched
on during normal driving.
Switching on SPORT handling mode will result
in the following:
R there is no limit to the engine torque.
R the system-based traction control is
limited.
SPORT handling mode is designed for driving
on closed tracks when the vehicle's own
natural oversteer and understeer
characteristics are desired and requires a
highly skilled and experienced driver able to
handle these critical driving situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on SPORT handling mode.
Do not switch on SPORT handling mode when
a spare wheel is mounted.
GWARNING
Switch off SPORT handling mode and
immediately switch on ESP ®
if one of the
previously stated conditions no longer
applies. SPORT handling mode will otherwise
only stabilize the vehicle to a limited degree if
it begins to lurch or if a wheel spins.
SPORT handling mode raises the intervention
threshold for stabilizing the vehicle. This
allows for a sportier driving style on
designated race circuits and may in certain
situations improve the traction in comparison
with ESP ®
.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If SPORT handling mode is activated and
one or more wheels start to spin, the
h warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the
vehicle to a limited degree.XTo activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The SPORT handling 58Driving safety systemsSafety

mode message appears in the multifunction
display.XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. ESP ®
is activated.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
( Y page 56).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.
GWARNING
If the EBD malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
( Y page 54).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also features the hill start assist
function ( Y page 117). For further
information, see Driving tips ( Y page 133).
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
engine off and open the driver's door.XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
i
The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the trunk lid
R the hood
R Roadster: the glove box
R Roadster: a compartment in the center
console
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example.
Anti-theft systems59SafetyZ