
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) A 4ETS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 251).
Important safety notes 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.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: 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.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or per-
formance tests may only be carried out on
a 2-axle dynamometer. 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 ®
is deactivated if the 00BBwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 warning lamp and the 00BBwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 323) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 285).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. Characteristics of ESP
® General information
If the
00E5 ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5ESP®
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.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts automati-
cally when the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected sta-
tus. Example: if ESP®
was deactivated before
the engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® Important safety notes
You can select between the following states
of ESP
®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. 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. Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

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
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To switch off: press button0043.
The 00BB ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button0043.
The 00BB ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 00E5ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If 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 of the wheels results in a cut-
ting action for better traction on loose sur- faces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Off-road ESP ®
(vehicles with Off-Road
Engineering package) An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 251).
Off-road ESP ®
intervenes with a delay if there
is oversteering or understeering, thus improv-
ing traction.
ESP ®
trailer stabilization General information
ESP
®
trailer stabilization is not available in
AMG vehicles.
If your vehicle/trailer combination begins to
swerve, ESP ®
assists you in this situation.
ESP ®
slows the vehicle down by braking and
limiting the engine output until the vehicle/
trailer combination has stabilized.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If road and weather conditions are poor,
trailer stabilization will not be able to prevent the vehicle/trailer combination from swerv-
ing. Trailers with a high center of gravity can
tip over before ESP ®
can detect this. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail- ing road and weather conditions.
If your vehicle with trailer (vehicle/trailer
combination) begins to lurch, you can only
stabilize the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
Trailer stabilisation is active above speeds of
about 37 mph (60 km/h). 74
Driving safety systemsSafety

Inserting the mechanical key
X
Push mechanical key 0044completely into
the SmartKey until it engages and release
catch 0043is back in its basic position. 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.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the batteries replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
The SmartKey batteries contain perchlorate
material, which may require special handling
and regard for the environment. National
guidelines must be observed during disposal.
In California, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/Hazard-
ousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm.
Checking the battery X
Press the 0037or0036 button.
The battery is working properly if battery
check lamp 0043lights up briefly. The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp
0043does not light up briefly.
X Change the battery (Y page 83).
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
the signal reception range of the vehicle,
pressing the 0037or0036 button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
i You can get a battery at any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
X Take the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (Y page 82). X
Press mechanical key 0044into the opening
in the SmartKey in the direction of the
arrow until battery compartment cover 0043
opens. Do not hold battery compartment
cover 0043closed while doing so.
X Remove battery compartment cover 0043. SmartKey
83Opening and closing Z

when you store the setting with the memory
function (Y page 116).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
triggered in an accident, the steering column
will move upwards when the driver's door is
opened. This occurs irrespective of the posi-
tion of the SmartKey in the ignition lock. This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY fea-
ture is activated in the on-board computer
(Y page 279). Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X
Anti-glare mode: flick anti-glare lever 0043
forwards or back. Exterior mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors G
WARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side reduces the size of the image. Visible
objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent. For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 157).
X Press button 0043for the left-hand exterior
mirror or button 0044for the right-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can adjust the selected
mirror using adjustment button 0087as long
as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustment button 0087up, down, or to
the left or right until you have adjusted the
exterior mirror to the correct position. You
should have a good overview of traffic con- ditions.
The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger
field of vision.
The exterior mirrors are heated automatically
if the rear window defroster is switched on
and the outside temperature is low. 114
MirrorsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

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 29). Exterior lighting
General notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you drive with the lights switchedon 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. Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using:
R the light switch
R the combination switch (Y page 123)
R the on-board computer (Y page 277)
Light switch Operation
0047
0063
Left-hand standing lamps
0048 0064
Right-hand standing lamps
0049 0060
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
004A 0058
Automatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
004B 0058
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
0084 005E
Rear fog lamp
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
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.
Automatic headlamp mode G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on 120
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

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
0058.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's lighting at all times. 0047
0063
Left-hand standing lamps
0048 0064
Right-hand standing lamps
0049 0060
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
004A 0058
Automatic headlamp mode, control-
led by the light sensor
004B 0058
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
0084 005E
Rear fog lamp
0058 is the favored light switch setting. The
light setting is automatically selected accord- ing to the brightness of the ambient light
(exception: poor visibility due to weather con-
ditions such as fog, snow or spray):
R SmartKey in position 1in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
R With the engine running: if you have acti-
vated the daytime running lamps function
via the on-board computer, the daytime
running lamps or the low-beam headlamps and parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightnessof the ambient light. X
To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to 0058.
Only for Canada:
The daytime running lamps improve the visi-
bility of your vehicle during the day. The day- time running lamps function is required by lawin Canada. It cannot therefore be deactivated.
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 bright ambient light: if you
turn the light switch to 0060, the daytime
running lamps and parking lamps switch on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0058, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
USA only:
The daytime running lamps improve the visi-
bility of your vehicle during the day. To do this,
the daytime running lamps function must be
switched on using the on-board computer
(Y page 277).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0060or0058, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
i In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
Low-beam headlamps G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058, 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
0058. Exterior lighting
121Lights and windshield wipers Z

High-beam headlamps
0043
High-beam headlamps
0044 Turn signal, right
0087 High-beam flasher
0085 Turn signal, left
X To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058or0058.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow 0043.
In the 0058position, the high-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The blue 0057indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The blue 0057indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it controls activation of the high-beam head-
lamps (Y page 126). High-beam flasher 0043
High-beam headlamps
0044 Turn signal, right
0087 High-beam flasher
0085 Turn signal, left
X To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 0087. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0043.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button 0043.124
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of above 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
above 6 mph (10 km/h) again after a full
brake application.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is oper- ated five times (Y page 132) while the lights
are on and the engine is running. When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning system is reset and counting is
resumed from 0. Active light function
The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remain illuminated while
driving. This allows you to recognize pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tight bends, for example. It can only
be activated when the low-beam headlamps
are switched on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
R if you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/ h)and 45 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than three minutes. Exterior lighting
125Lights and windshield wipers Z