
Do not rotate the head restraints of the front
and rear seats. Otherwise, you cannot adjust
the height and angle of the head restraints to
the correct position.
Using the fore-and-aft adjustment, adjust the head restraint so that it is as close as possibleto your head.
Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y page 101).
Adjusting the head restraints manually Adjusting the head restraint height
5X
To raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired position.
X To lower: press release catch 0043in the
direction of the arrow and push the head
restraint down to the desired position.
Adjusting the angle of the head restraints X
Push or pull the lower edge of the head
restraint in the direction of the arrow. Adjusting the height of the head
restraints electrically X
To adjust the head restraint height: slide
the switch for head restraint adjustment
(Y page 102 )up or down in the direction of
the arrow.
Adjusting the luxury head restraints X
To adjust the side bolsters of the head
restraint: push or pull right and/or left-
hand side bolster 0043into the desired posi-
tion.
X To adjust the angle of the head
restraint: push or pull the head restraint in
the direction of arrow 0044.
i Adjust the head restraint so that the back
of your head is as close to the head
restraint as possible.
5 For vehicles without memory function only. Seats
103Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Rear seat head restraints
Adjusting the rear seat head restraint
height
Once the head restraint is fully lowered, press
release catch 0043.
X To raise: pull the head restraint up to the
desired position.
X To lower: press release catch 0043and push
the head restraint down until it is in the
desired position.
Adjusting the rear seat head restraint
angle
Adjust the head restraints so that they are as
close as possible to your head.
You can only adjust the two outer head
restraints. X
Pull or push the top of the head restraint
until it is in the desired position. Removing/installing the rear seat head
restraints X
To remove: pull the head restraint up to
the stop.
X Press release catch 0043and pull the head
restraint out of the guides.
X To re-install: insert the head restraint so
that the notches on the bar are on the left
when viewed in the direction of travel.
X Push the head restraint down until you hear
it engage in position. Adjusting the lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the front seats so as to provide optimum support for your
back. X
Move adjustment lever 0043in the direction
of the arrow until the desired backrest con- tour is achieved. 104
SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

Problems with the seat heating
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The seat heating has
switched off prema-
turely or cannot be
switched on. The on-board voltage is too low because too many electrical con-
sumers are switched on.
X Switch off electrical consumers that you do not need, such as
the rear window defroster or interior lighting. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
If the steering wheel is unlocked while the
vehicle is in motion, it could change position
unexpectedly. This could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
Before starting off, make sure the steering
wheel is locked. Never unlock the steering
wheel while the vehicle is in motion. G
WARNING
Children could injure themselves if they
adjust the steering wheel. There is a risk of
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The electrically adjustable steering wheel can
still be adjusted when there is no SmartKey in
the ignition lock. Adjusting the steering wheel man-
ually
G
WARNING
If the steering wheel is unlocked while the
vehicle is in motion, it could change position
unexpectedly. This could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
Before starting off, make sure the steering
wheel is locked. Never unlock the steering
wheel while the vehicle is in motion. 0043
Release lever
0044 To adjust the steering wheel height
0087 To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
X Push release lever 0043down completely.
The steering column is unlocked.
X Adjust the steering wheel to the desired
position.
X Push release lever 0043up completely.
The steering column is locked.
X Check if the steering column is locked.
When doing so, try to push the steering 106
Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

wheel up or down or try to move it in the
fore-and-aft direction.
Adjusts the steering wheel electri-
cally 0043
To adjust the steering wheel height
0044 To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
The steering wheel can also be adjusted when the SmartKey is removed from the ignition
lock.
i Further related subjects:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
(Y page 108)
R Storing settings (Y page 112) Steering wheel heating
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 149).
X To switch on/off: turn the lever in the
direction of arrow 0043or0044.
Indicator lamp 0087lights up or goes out.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: when you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock,
the steering wheel heating is deactivated.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: when you switch
off the ignition and open the driver's door, the steering wheel heating is deactivated.
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 0087remains on. Steering wheel
107Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
R Parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 187) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
R When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
R Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range, Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely. You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
For further information on the detection
range (Y page 186).
Active Parking Assist does not support you
with parking spaces parallel to the direction
of travel if:
R the parking space is on a curb
R the system reads the parking space as
being blocked, for example by foliage or
grass paving blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
maneuver into
R the parking space is bordered by an obsta-
cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer Example: detected parking space
0043
Detected parking space on the left
0044 Parking symbol
0087 Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are at least 51 in (1.3 m) longer than
your vehicle
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see the parking symbol as a status indicator in the instrument cluster. 190
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Stop the vehicle when it is almost exactly in
front of the parking space.
The white lane should be as close to parallel with the parking space marking as possi-
ble. Driving to the final position
0043
White guide line at current steering wheel
angle
0044 Parking space marking
X Turn the steering wheel to the center posi-
tion while the vehicle is stationary. 0043
Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 12 in (0.30 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
0044 White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel
0087 End of parking space
X Back up carefully until you have reached
the final position.
Red guide line 0043is then at end of parking
space 0087. The vehicle is almost parallel in
the parking space. "Coupling up a trailer" function This function is only available on vehicles with
a trailer tow hitch and COMAND.
! The following distance specifications
refer to trailer tow hitches with ball cou-
pling that have been approved for this vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz. Distances may dif-
fer if you use other ball couplings. In this
case, take into account that actual distan-
ces will not match the following distance
specifications. Otherwise you could dam-
age the trailer and vehicle. 0043
Vehicle center point on the yellow guide
line at a distance of approximately 3 ft
(1 m) from the rear of the vehicle
0044 Trailer drawbar
0087 Ball coupling
This function is only available on vehicles with
a trailer tow hitch.
X Set the height of trailer drawbar 0044so that
it is slightly higher than ball coupling 0087.
X Position the vehicle centrally in front of
trailer drawbar 0044. Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

!
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a
detachable trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
R in the vehicle documents
R on the identification plates of the trailer tow
hitch, the trailer and the vehicle
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech- nical data" (Y page 381).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning radius
This could impair the handling characteris-
tics. When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion.
General notes R
Do not exceed the legally prescribed max-
imum speed for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not suita-
ble for installing detachable trailer cou-
plings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
R To reduce the risk of damage to the ball
coupling, remove it from the ball coupling
recess when not in use.
i When towing a trailer, set the tire pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tire pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 352).
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 186) is only available with
limitations or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord- ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Y page 381).
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lization (Y page 72). Towing a trailer
213Driving and parking Z

!
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
X Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off. X
Pull release lever 0043on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Reach into the gap, pull hood catch han-
dle 0044up and lift the hood.
If you lift the hood by approximately 15 in
(40 cm), the hood is opened and held open automatically by the gas-filled strut.
Closing the hood X
Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 in (20 cm).
X Check that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force. Engine oil
General notes on the oil level Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 liters) of oil per
600 miles (1,000 km). The oil consumption
may be higher than this when the vehicle is
new or if you frequently drive at high engine
speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be in a different location.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following. Example: vehicles with a gasoline engine Engine compartment
301Maintenance and care Z