
Problems with the "Cooling with air dehumidification" function
When you press the
Ábutton, the indicator lamp in the button flashes three times or
remains off. You can no longer switch on the "Cooling with air dehumidification" function.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Setting climate control to automatic
G
WARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, the vehi- cle will not be cooled when weather condi-
tions are warm. The windows can fog up more
quickly. Window fogging may impair visibility
and endanger you and others.
In automatic mode, the set temperature is
maintained at a constant level. The system
automatically regulates the temperature of
the dispensed air, the airflow and the air dis-
tribution.
Automatic mode will achieve optimal opera-
tion if cooling with air dehumidification is also activated. If desired, cooling with air dehu-
midification can be deactivated.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 133) in the ignition lock.
X Set the desired temperature.
X To switch on: press theÃbutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ãbutton lights
up. Automatic air distribution and airflow
are activated.
X To deactivate: press the_button.
or
X Press the IorK button.
The indicator lamp in the Ãbutton goes
out. Setting the temperature
You can set the temperature separately for
the driver's and front-passenger sides with
controls :orB (Ypage 119). X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 133).
X Set control :orB (Ypage 119) to the
desired temperature.
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †). Setting the air distribution
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2(Y page 133) in the ignition lock.
X Press the _button repeatedly until the
desired symbol appears in the display.
P Directs the airflow through the center
vents
O Directs the airflow through the foot-
well air vents
S Directs the airflow through the center
and footwell vents
¯ Directs air through the defroster vents
b Canada only: directs the airflow
through the defroster and center vents
a Directs air through the defroster and
footwell vents
_ Canada only: directs the airflow
through the defroster, center and side
air vents and the footwell Setting the airflow
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2(Y page 133) in the ignition lock.
X To increase: press theKbutton.
X To reduce: press theIbutton.
i The airflow from the rear-compartment
vents and the center vents is the same. 124
Operating the climate control systemsClimate control 

Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the Ácooling with air dehu-
midification function.
X Activate automatic mode Ã.
X If the windows continue to fog up, activate
the defrosting function (Y page 125).
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Windows fogged up on the outside X
Switch on the windshield wipers
(Y page 114).
X Press the _button repeatedly until the
P orO symbol appears in the dis-
play.
i You should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again. Switching the windshield defroster
on/off
G
WARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the windshield before driving.
Otherwise, your vision may be impaired,
which could endanger you or others. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 133).
X To switch on: press button;.
Indicator lamp :lights up.
X To switch off: press button;.
Indicator lamp :goes out.
i At outside temperatures above 50 ‡
(10 †) the windshield heating cannot be
activated. Indicator lamp :lights up
briefly when you attempt to activate it and
then goes out again.
i The windshield defroster has a high cur-
rent draw. You should therefore switch it
off as soon as the windshield is clear. Oth-
erwise, the windshield heating switches
itself off automatically after 10 minutes.
i When the windshield heating is switched
on for the fourth time in a row, it switches
itself off automatically after 5 minutes.
i Indicator lamp
:flashes if too many
electrical consumers are switched on at the
same time when the battery voltage is low. After approximately 30 seconds the wind-
shield heating switches off automatically. Switching the rear window defroster
on/off
Switching on/off X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 133).
X Press the ªbutton.
The indicator lamp in the ªbutton lights
up or goes out.
i The rear window defroster has a high cur-
rent draw. You should therefore switch it
off as soon as the rear window is clear. as it
only switches off automatically after sev-
eral minutes.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off. 126
Operating the climate cont
rol systemsClimate control 

the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats ontop of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train. !
Avoid high engine speeds when the
engine is cold. The engine's service life
could otherwise be significantly shortened.
Do not use the engine's full performance
until it has reached operating temperature.
! AMG vehicles:
at low engine oil temper-
atures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to pro-
tect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid
driving at full throttle when the engine is
cold. Key positions
g
To remove the SmartKey
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
starting the engine or lights up while driving,
see (Y page 236).
If the SmartKey is in position 0in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The
steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Driving
133Driving an d parking Z 

helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road sur-
face. This could cause damage to the drive train. This type of damage is not covered bythe Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air- flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period
of time without braking, there may be a
delayed reaction from the brakes when brak-
ing for the first time. This may also occur after
the vehicle has been washed.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion. Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be too low. Observe additional warning mes-
sages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamom-
eter. 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,
you could damage the drive train or the
brake system.
! As the ESP ®
system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition must be
switched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-
tion 0or 1in the ignition lock) if the parking
brake is tested on a brake dynamometer
(for a maximum of ten seconds).
Braking applications triggered automati-
cally by ESP ®
may otherwise seriously dam-
age the brake system. 154
Driving tipsDriving and parking 

R
Ensure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
R Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R Look out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the doors, rear door, side win-
dows and the sliding sunroof closed while
the vehicle is in motion.
R Switch off cruise control.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the ter-
rain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the roll-
ing resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's
wheels could become stuck in loose
ground.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
R Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at appro-
priate engine speeds (maximum
3,000 rpm).
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
R Always check the vehicle for damage after
off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tires is available from any qualified
specialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra- dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces. Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehi- cle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
X Oil level: check the engine oil level and add
oil if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough
oil when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
X Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Carry a sound spare wheel.
Checklist after driving off-road Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on nor-
mal roads. After driving off-road, check the
vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to
yourself and other road users.
X Shift the transfer case to HIGH
RANGE(Y page 186).
X Disengage the differential locks
(Y page 190).
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects. Driving
tips
159Driving an d parking Z 

A
To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
X Briefly press the cruise control lever up :
or down ?to beyond the pressure point.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin- ished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control :
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control: X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Brake. or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: R you apply the parking brake
R you are driving at less than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to position N
while driving
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. SPEEDTRONIC
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. SPEED- TRONIC cannot take account of road, weather
and traffic conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time and for staying in lane.
Only engage SPEEDTRONIC when the current road, weather and traffic conditions permit it
to be done safely. Drive carefully and main-
tain a suitable distance to the vehicle in front. 166
Driving systemsDriving and parking 

If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ;in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is
selected.
Storing the current speed :
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 18 mph while
the engine is running.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever up :
or down ?.
The current speed is stored and shown in
the multifunction display.
i On downhill gradients, the speed can be
exceeded despite variable SPEEDTRONIC.
In this case, you will hear a warning tone
and the Limit Exceeded
Limit Exceeded message will
appear in the multifunction display. If nec-
essary, apply the brakes yourself. Calling up the last speed stored Calling up the last speed stored
:
To activate or increase speed
; LIM indicator lamp
= To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed
A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. SPEED- TRONIC cannot take account of road, weather
and traffic conditions. SPEEDTRONIC is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for
braking in good time and for staying in your
lane. Only activate SPEEDTRONIC when the
prevailing road, weather and traffic condi-
tions permit. Drive carefully and maintain a
suitable distance to the vehicle in front.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
i If you call up the stored speed and your
current speed is higher, you will hear a
warning tone. The Limit Exceeded Limit Exceededmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i If no speed is stored, variable SPEED-
TRONIC stores the current speed and main-
tains it. 168
Driving systemsDriving and parking 

Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS
There are several ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or X Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary
or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM
indicator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you
will see the DISTRONIC
DISTRONIC PLUS PLUSOff
Offmessage in
the multifunction display for approximately
five seconds.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-
ted if: R you engage the parking brake
R you are driving slower than 15 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in front is no longer detec- ted
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R the transmission is in the P,Ror Nposition
R you pull the cruise control lever towards
you in order to pull away and the front- passenger door or one of the rear doors is
open
R the vehicle has skidded
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will
hear a warning tone. You will see the
DISTRONIC PLUS Off
DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds.
In the Assistance menu (Y page 205) of the
on-board computer, you can select the dis-
tance display.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS General notes
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then
deactivated.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-
cles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle
may brake unexpectedly or late. 176
Driving syste
msDriving and parking