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Further information about Mercedes-Benz
vehicles and about Daimler AG can be found
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only) Editorial office
© Daimler AG: Not to be reprinted, translated
or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part,
without written permission from Daimler AG. Vehicle manufacturer
Daimler AG
Mercedesstraße 137
70327 Stuttgart
Germany
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In this Operator's Manual you will find the fol-
lowing symbols: G
WARNING
Warning notes make you aware of dangers
which could pose a threat to your health or
life, or to the health and life of others. H
Environmental note
Environmental notes provide you with infor-
mation on environmentally aware actions or
disposal.
! Notes on material damage alert you to
dangers that could lead to damage to your
vehicle.
i Practical tips or further information that
could be helpful to you. X
This symbol indicates an instruction
that must be followed.
X Several of these symbols in succes-
sion indicate an instruction with sev-
eral steps.
(Y
page) This symbol tells you where you can
find more information about a topic.
YY This symbol indicates a warning or an
instruction that is continued on the
next page.
Dis‐
Dis‐
play play This font indicates a display in the
multifunction display/COMAND dis-
play.
Parts of the software in the vehicle are pro-
tected by copyright ©
2005
The FreeType Project
http://www.freetype.org. All rights
reserved.
As at 09.09.2013 

BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS)
.................................................... 69
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 83
Important safety notes .................... 83
Replacing ......................................... 83
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 389
Display message ............................ 301
Important safety notes .................. 387
Jump starting ................................. 391
Overview ........................................ 387
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 276
Display message ............................ 308
Notes/function .............................. 237
Trailer towing ................................. 239
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 180
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 451
Brake Assist see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 291
Notes ............................................. 453
Brake lamps
Changing bulb s.............................. 132
Display message ............................ 298
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 68
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 71
BAS .................................................. 68
BAS PLUS ........................................ 69
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 453
Display message ............................ 285
High-performance brake system .... 189
Important safety notes .................. 188
Maintenance .................................. 189
Parking brake ................................ 184
Riding tips ...................................... 188
Warning lamp ................................. 320
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting)
................................... 35
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 376
Carpets .......................................... 379
Car wash ........................................ 372
Displa y........................................... 377
Exhaust pipe .................................. 376
Exterior lights ................................ 375
Gear or selector lever .................... 378
Interior ........................................... 377
Matte finish ................................... 374
Night View Assist Plus ................... 377
Notes ............................................. 371
Paint .............................................. 373
Plastic trim .................................... 378
Power washe r................................ 373
Rear view camera .......................... 376
Roof lining ...................................... 379
Seat belt ........................................ 379
Seat cover ..................................... 378
Sensors ......................................... 375
Steering wheel ............................... 378
Trim pieces .................................... 378
Washing by hand ........................... 373
Wheels ........................................... 374
Windows ........................................ 375
Wiper blades .................................. 375
Wooden trim .................................. 378
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/how to use ......................... 340
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 337
Cargo compartment floor
Opening/closing ............................ 344
Stowage well (under )..................... 344 6
Index 

HOLD functio
n............................... 210
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 239
Level control (vehicles with AIR-
MATIC package) ............................. 213
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................ 206
On-road programs .......................... 247
PARKTRONIC ................................. 217
Rear view camera .......................... 224
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 171
Brakes ........................................... 188
Break-in period .............................. 156
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 205
Downhill gradient ........................... 188
Drinking and driving ....................... 186
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................. 190
Driving on flooded roads ................ 190
Driving on sand .............................. 193
Driving on wet roads ...................... 190
Driving over obstacles ................... 194
Exhaust check ............................... 186
Fuel ................................................ 186
General .......................................... 186
Hydroplaning ................................. 190
Icy road surfaces ........................... 190
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 188
Off-road driving .............................. 192
Off-road fording ............................. 190
Snow chains .................................. 403
Symmetrical low beam .................. 120
Tire ruts ......................................... 194
Towing a trailer .............................. 257
Traveling uphill ............................... 194
Wet road surface ........................... 188
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 306
Function/note s............................. 250
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 273 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating ................. 279
Function/note s............................. 113
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 114
Function/note s............................. 113
Switching on/of f........................... 279
EASY-PACK load-securing kit
Components and storage .............. 342
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 287
Function/note s................................ 75
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 187
On-board computer ....................... 270
ECO start/stop function (ML 250
BlueTEC 4MATIC)
Automatic engine start .................. 165
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 165
General notes ................................ 164
Important safety notes .................. 164
Introduction ................................... 164
Switching on/of f........................... 165
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 60
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 88
Vehicle ............................................. 88
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 441
Important safety notes .................. 440
Removing ....................................... 441
Storage location ............................ 441
Technical data ............................... 443
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 58
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 93
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 25 10
Index 

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.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the seat heating will
switch back on automatically. Switching the seat ventilation on/off
Switching on/off The three blue indicator lamps in the buttons
indicate the ventilation level you have selec-
ted.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 157).
X To switch on: press button0043repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
X To switch off: press button0043repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off.
i You can open the side windows and the
sliding sunroof using the "Convenience
opening" feature (Y page 95). The seat ven-
tilation of the driver's seat automatically
switches to the highest level. 110
SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors 

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 

ECO start/stop function (all vehicles
except the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC)
Introduction This section describes the ECO start/stop
function for all vehicles except the ML 250
BlueTEC 4MATIC. Information about the ECO
start/stop function on the ML 250 BlueTEC
4MATIC (Y page 164).
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop- ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes 0043
ECO start/stop display
If the 00A7 symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally if the vehicle stops moving.
Every time you switch on the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated. If the ECO start/stop function has been man-
ually deactivated (Y page 163) or a malfunc-
tion has caused the system to be deactivated, the 00A7 symbol is not displayed.
AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
For further information on automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 162) and automatic
engine start (Y page 163).
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
Dor N,
the ECO start/stop function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the 00A7symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R no off-road program has been selected.
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the 00A7symbol will
be shown in yellow.
i All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine has been stopped auto-
matically.
i The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off automati-
cally. It is then not necessary to continue
applying the brakes during the automatic 162
DrivingDriving and parking 

AMG vehicles
X
To switch off: in drive program C, press
ECO button 0043.
or X Switch to drive program Sor M
(Y page 172).
Indicator lamp 0044and the 00A7ECO sym-
bol in the multifunction display go out.
X To activate: press ECO button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. If drive pro-
gram Sor Mis active, the automatic trans-
mission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 162) are fulfilled, the
00A7 symbol is shown in green in the mul-
tifunction display.
If the conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are not all fulfilled (Y page 162),
the 00A7 symbol is lit yellow. If this is the
case, the ECO start/stop function is not
available.
i If indicator lamp
0044is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated man-
ually or as the result of a malfunction. The
engine will then not be switched off auto-
matically when the vehicle stops. ECO start/stop function (ML 250
BlueTEC 4MATIC)
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes 0043
ECO start/stop display
If the engine has been switched off automat-
ically by the ECO start/stop function, the
00A7 symbol is shown in the multifunction
display.
Every time you switch on the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
For further information on automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 165) and automatic
engine start (Y page 165).164
DrivingDriving and pa
rking 

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
This section provides descriptions of and solutions to safety-relevant problems. Descriptions
of and solutions to further problems can be found in the Digital Operator's Manual. Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle. The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
G WARNING
Risk of explosion or fire. X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove
it immediately (Y page 157).
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. DEF (BlueTEC vehicles only)
Important notes on use To function properly, BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment must be operated with the
reducing agent DEF. Adding DEF is one of the
tasks performed during maintenance. Under
normal operating conditions, a tank of DEF
lasts until the next service due date.
When the supply of DEF is almost used up, the
Check
Check Additive
Additive See SeeOperator's
Operator's Manual
Manual
message is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
If you drive the vehicle faster than 10 mph
(16 km/h), the Check
Check Additive Additive See
SeeOper‐
Oper‐
ator's Manual
ator's Manual message goes out after
approximately one minute.
When the supply of DEF is down to a reserve
of approximately 1 gal (3.8 l) the Refill Refill
AdBlue/DEF
AdBlue/DEF See
SeeOperator's
Operator's Manual
Manualmes-
sage is shown in the multifunction display.
When the DEF supply drops to a minimum, the Remaining Starts: 16
Remaining Starts: 16 message is shown
in the multifunction display.
If the Refill AdBlue/DEF No Start in Refill AdBlue/DEF No Start in
XXXX km XXXX km message is shown in the multifunc-
tion display, you can still drive the vehicle
over the distance shown. If DEF is not refilled,
you will subsequently be unable to start the
engine. If the Refill AdBlue/DEF Eng.
Refill AdBlue/DEF Eng. Start Not Poss Start Not Poss
message appears in the
multifunction display and the engine does not
start, you must add DEF.
X Add at least 1 gal (3.8 l)of DEF.
X Switch on the ignition for at least 60 sec-
onds.
X Start the engine.
i Have the DEF tank refilled at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Use the special DEF refill bottle when adding DEF between maintenance intervals. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center with
any questions or, if necessary, contact Road-
side Assistance (Y page 26).
If the outside temperature is below 12 ‡
(00F811 †) it may be difficult to top up. If DEF is
frozen and there is an active warning indica-
tor, it may not be possible to add DEF. Park
the vehicle in a warmer place, e.g. in a garage,
until DEF has become fluid again. It will then
be possible to add DEF again. Alternatively,
have the DEF tank refilled at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Further information about BlueTEC exhaust
gas aftertreatment and DEF is available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 180
RefuelingDriving and parking