
Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is assis- ted by BAS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. In
this way, traffic traveling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 45 mph (70 km/h)to a standstill, the
hazard warning lamps are activated automat-
ically. If the brakes are applied again, the
brake lamps light up continuously. The hazard
warning lamps are deactivated automatically if you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h). You
can also switch off the hazard warning lamps using the hazard warning button
(Y page 104). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 61). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum of
ten seconds on a brake test dynamometer.
Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle dyna-
mometer. Before you operate the vehicle
on such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified workshop. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system. ESP
®
monitors driving stability and traction.
Traction is the power transmission between
the tires and the road surface.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 239) and any display messages that
appear in the instrument cluster
(Y page 213).
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 slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
i If differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP ®
switch themselves off auto-
matically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®
. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z 

X
If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 186).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the å
warning lamp goes out in the instrument
cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop func-
tion: the ECO start/stop function automat-
ically switches the engine off when the
vehicle comes to a stop. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. For example, if ESP ®
was
deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R and are driving at above 37 mph (60 km/h)
(on AMG vehicles above 62 mph
(100 km/h)), ESP ®
still intervenes when
one wheel reaches its grip limit even
though it is deactivated.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the ÷warning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehi-
cle. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety 

Removing the mechanical key
:
Release catch
; Mechanical key
X Push release catch :in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time remove
mechanical key ;from the SmartKey. SmartKey battery
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Batteries contain toxic and corrosive substan- ces. If batteries are swallowed, it can result in
severe health problems. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. Check your
national disposal guidelines. In California, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist workshop. Checking the battery
X
Press the &or% button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp :lights up briefly.
If battery check lamp :does not light up
during the test, the battery is discharged.
X Change the battery (Y page 70).
i You can obtain a battery at any qualified
specialist workshop.
i Have the batteries replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop.
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
the signal reception range of the vehicle,
pressing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
X Take the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (Y page 70). 70
SmartKeyOpening and closing 

Adjusting the steering wheel
:
To adjust the steering wheel height
; To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
i If the driver's door is open, the steering
wheel can be adjusted for up to 30 minutes
after the ignition has been switched off.
i Further related subjects:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
(Y page 92)
R Storing settings (Y page 95) Steering wheel heating
Activating/deactivating :
To switch on the steering-wheel heating
; To switch off the steering-wheel heating
= Indicator lamp
The steering-wheel heating heats the leather
areas of the steering wheel. X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 1or 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the catch in the direction of arrow :.
Indicator lamp =lights up.
X To deactivate: make sure that the Smart-
Key is in position 1or 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the catch in the direction of arrow ;.
Indicator lamp =goes out.
i The steering wheel heating does not
switch off automatically.
i The steering wheel heating may switch off
temporarily if:
R the temperature in the vehicle interior is
above 86 ‡ (30 †)
R the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95 ‡ (35 †)
Indicator lamp =remains on.
i The steering wheel heating is deactivated
if you remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock.
Problems with the steering wheel heat- ing :
To switch on the steering-wheel heating
; To switch off the steering-wheel heating
= Indicator lamp Steering wheel
91Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z 

Useful information
..............................98
Exterior lighting .................................. 98
Interior lighting ................................. 105
Replacing bulbs ................................. 108
Windshield wipers ............................114 97Lights and windshield wipers 

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 24). Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, operation of the headlamps varies due
to legal requirements and self-imposed obli-
gations. Driving abroad
Conversion to symmetrical low beam Switch the headlamps to symmetrical low
beam in countries in which traffic drives on
the opposite side of the road from the country where the vehicle is registered. This prevents
glare to oncoming traffic. When using sym-
metrical lights, the edge of the road is not lit
as widely and as far ahead as normal.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop as close to the border as
possible before driving in these countries.
Conversion to asymmetrical low beam
after returning Have the headlamps converted back to asym-
metrical low-beam headlamps at a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible after
crossing the border again. Light switch
Operation !
Switch off the parking lamps and low-
beam headlamps when you leave the vehi-
cle. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
! If the battery has been excessively dis-
charged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the
continuous use of the Tparking lamps
for several hours. If possible, switch on the
X right or the Wleft standing lamp. 1
W
Left-hand standing lamps
2 X
Right-hand standing lamps
3 T
Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster lighting
4 Ã
Automatic headlamp mode/
daytime running lamps
5 L
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the combination switch (Y page 103).98
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers 

The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey in
position 0
Low-beam headlamps 1
W
Left-hand standing lamps
2 X
Right-hand standing lamps
3 T
Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster lighting
4 Ã
Automatic headlamp mode/
daytime running lamps
5 L
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
X To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. Daytime running lamps Daytime running lamps in Canada
1W
Left-hand standing lamps
2X Right-hand standing lamps
3T Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster
lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
5L Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore be deactivated.
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
With the engine running: depending on the ambient light, the daytime running lamps orthe low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light bright-
ness: if you turn the light switch to T, you
turn on the daytime running lamps and park-
ing lamps.
If the engine is running and you turn the light switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps. Exterior lighting
99Lights and windshield wipers 

Daytime running lamps in the USA
1W
Left-hand standing lamps
2X Right-hand standing lamps
3T Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster
lighting
4Ã Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
5L Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory. X To activate the daytime running lamps:
activate the daytime running lamps func-
tion in the on-board computer
(Y page 207).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
With the engine running: depending on the ambient light, the daytime running lamps orthe low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to TorL, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to Ã, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
L.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's lighting at all times. 1
W
Left-hand standing lamps
2 X
Right-hand standing lamps
3 T
Parking lamps, side marker lamps,
license plate and instrument cluster lighting
4 Ã
Automatic headlamp mode/
daytime running lamps
5 L
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
X To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
SmartKey in position 1in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
With the engine running: if you have acti-
vated the daytime running lamps function
in the on-board computer, the daytime run-
ning lamps or the low-beam headlamps are
switched on or off automatically depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. 100
Exterior lightingLigh
ts and windshield wipers