
Function Page
:
Overhead control panel 32
;
Combination switch 89
=
Steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles 113
?
Instrument cluster 29
A
Rear fog lamp 89
B
Light switch 88
C
Opens the bonnet 232 Function Page
D
Diagnostics connection 25
E
Electric parking brake 121
F
Unlocks the tailgate 73
G
Horn
H
Adjusts the steering wheel
electrically
83
I
Cruise control lever 126
J
Climate control systems 9628
CockpitAt a glance

Instrument cluster
i
Instrument cluster with speedometer
(km/h) Function Page
:
Speedometer with segments 155
Warning and indicator lamps:
h
Tyre pressure monitor 203
å
ESP®
OFF 197
÷
ESP® 197
·
Distance warning 202
Ð
Power steering 204
6
Restraint system 35
ü
Seat belts 195
K
Main-beam headlamps 89
L
Dipped-beam head-
lamps 89
T
Side lamps 89
N
This lamp has no func-
tion R
Rear foglamp 89
;
#!
Turn signals 89 Function Page
=
Multifunction display 157
?
Rev counter 155
Warning and indicator lamps:
J
Brakes (yellow) 196
!
Electric parking brake
(yellow) 199
!
ABS 197
;
Engine diagnostics 200
!
Electric parking brake
(red) 199
M
SPORT handling mode 199
A
Coolant temperature gauge 155
Warning and indicator lamps:
?
Coolant 200
B
Fuel level indicator
Warning and indicator lamps:
8
Reserve fuel level with
fuel filler flap location indica-
tor (right) 200
i
Information on displaying the outside tem-
perature in the multifunction display can be
found under "Outside temperature display"
(Y page 155). Set the instrument cluster lighting via the on-
board computer (Y page 165). Instrument cluster
29At a glance

Multifunction steering wheel
Function Page
:
Multifunction display 157
;
Multimedia system display
=
~
Rejects or ends a call 6
Makes or accepts a call Further telephone functions 162
WXAdjusts the vol-
ume
8
Mute ó
Switches on LINGUA-
TRONIC Function Page
?
ò
Opens the menu list 9:Selects a menu
a
Confirms the selection %
Back Operating the on-board com-
puter 156
ñ
Switches off LINGUA-
TRONIC i
In vehicles with multimedia system
COMAND Online you can find further infor-
mation:
R on the multimedia system in the Digital
Owner's Manual
R on the DVD changer or single DVD drive in
the Digital Owner's Manual
R on LINGUATRONIC in the separate operat-
ing instructions i
In vehicles with the multimedia system
Audio 20, you can find further information on
the multimedia system in the Digital Owner's
Manual 30
Multifunction steering wheelAt a glance

Panic alarm
X
To prime: press the!button :for
approximately one second.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is primed.
X To deactivate: press the!button :
again.
or
X Press the Start/Stop button.
The key must be in the vehicle.
or X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
The panic alarm function is only available in cer- tain countries. Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system
The restraint system can reduce the risk of vehi-
cle occupants coming into contact with parts of
the vehicle's interior in the event of an accident. The restraint system can also reduce the forces
to which vehicle occupants are subjected during an accident.
The restraint system includes the:
R seat belt system
R airbags
The components of the restraint system work in conjunction with each other. They can only offer
protection if all vehicle occupants always:
R have the seat belt correctly fastened
(Y page 37)
R have the seat adjusted properly
(Y page 78) Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
head restraints must also be adjusted prop-
erly.
As the driver, you must also make sure that the
steering wheel is also adjusted properly.
Observe the information on the correct driver's
seat position (Y page 78).
In addition, you must make sure that the airbags can inflate properly if they are deployed
(Y page 39).
An airbag supplements a correctly worn seat
belt. As an additional safety device, the airbag
increases the level of protection for vehicle
occupants in the event of an accident. The air-
bags are not deployed, for example, in the event
of an accident in which sufficient protection is
offered by the seat belt. In addition, only those
airbags, which in the applicable accident situa-
tions offer additional protection, are deployed in the event of an accident. However, the seat beltand airbag generally do not protect against
objects penetrating the vehicle from the out-
side.
Information on how the restraint system oper-
ates can be found under "Deployment of belt
tensioners and airbags" (Y page 46).
See "Children in the vehicle" for information on
children travelling with you in the vehicle as well
as on child restraint systems (Y page 49). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the restraint system is modified, it may no
longer work as intended. The restraint system
may then not perform its intended protective function by failing in an accident or triggering
unexpectedly, for example. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Never modify parts of the restraint system. Do not attempt to modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If the vehicle is adapted to a person with a phys-
ical disability, contact a qualified specialist
workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
driving aids which have been approved specifi-
cally for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. 34
Occupant safetySafety

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you deviate from the correct seat position,
the airbag cannot perform its intended pro-
tective function and can even cause addi-
tional injuries when deployed. There is an
increased risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
In order to avoid such risks, always ensure
that all vehicle occupants:
R fasten their seatbelts correctly, including
pregnant women
R are seated correctly and maintain the fur-
thest possible distance from the airbags
R observe the following notes
Always ensure that there are no objects loca-
ted between the airbag and the vehicle occu-
pant.
R Adjust the seats properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat is in an almost upright position. The centre of
the head restraint must support the head at
about eye level.
The setting options are different depending
on the seat model.
R Move the driver's and front-passenger seats
as far back as possible. The driver's seat posi-
tion must allow the vehicle to be driven safely.
R Hold the steering wheel only by the rim. This
allows the airbag to be fully deployed.
R Always lean against the backrest while driv-
ing. Do not lean forwards or lean against the
door or side window. You may otherwise be in the deployment area of the airbags.
R Always keep your feet in the footwell in front
of the seat. Do not put your feet on the dash- board, for example. Your feet may otherwise
be in the deployment area of the airbag.
R Always secure persons less than 1.50 mtall in
suitable restraint systems. Up to this height,
the seat belt cannot be worn correctly.
If a child is travelling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes:
R Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 1.50 mtall in suitable child
restraint systems.
R Secure a child to the front-passenger seat
only when the front-passenger front airbag is disabled, and then only in a rearward-facing
child restraint system. If the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamp is permanently lit, the
front-passenger front airbag is disabled
(Y page 35).
R Be sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Automatic front-passenger
front airbag deactivation system"
(Y page 41) and on "Children in the vehicle"
(Y page 49) in addition to the manufactur-
er's operating and installation instructions for the child restraint system.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
the airbag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting from the speed of the airbag as it deploys, make
sure that:
R there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an airbag
R there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar
R no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an airbag, e.g. to doors or side win-
dows
R no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place. G
WARNING
If you modify an airbag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the airbag can no longer function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an airbag cover or affix objects
to it. G
WARNING
Sensors to control the airbags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per-
formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ling, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the function of the sensors being impaired. The
airbags might therefore not function properly any more. Consequently, the airbags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. This poses an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan- Occupant safety
39Safety
Z

elling carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
front airbags !
Do not place heavy objects on the front-
passenger seat. This could cause the system
to identify the seat as being occupied. In the
event of an accident, the restraint systems on the front-passenger side may be triggered
and have to be replaced. Driver's airbag
:deploys in front of the steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front airbag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove com-
partment.
When deployed, the front airbags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the driver's and front-passenger seats.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
informs you about the status of the front-
passenger front airbag (Y page 35).
The front-passenger front airbag will deploy only if:
R the automatic front-passenger front airbag
deactivation system has detected that the
front-passenger seat is occupied
(Y page 41). The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is not lit. (Y page 42)
R the restraint system control unit predicts a
high accident severity. Kneebags Driver's kneebag
:deploys underneath the
steering column and front-passenger knee-
bag ;underneath the glove compartment. The
driver's and front-passenger kneebags are trig-
gered together with the front airbags.
The driver's and front-passenger kneebags offer additional thigh, knee and lower leg protection.
Sidebags G
WARNING
Unsuitable seat covers may obstruct or even
prevent deployment of the airbags integrated into the seats. The airbags may then fail to
protect the vehicle occupants as intended.
Operation of the automatic co-driver's front
airbag deactivation system may also be
impaired. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Use only seat covers which have been specif- ically approved for the respective seat by
Mercedes-Benz. Sidebags
:deploy next to the outer bolster of
the seat backrest. 40
Occupant safetySafety

R
Seat belt tensioners, if the system determines
that deployment can offer additional protec-
tion for the vehicle occupants in this situation
R Windowbags on the driver's and front-
passenger side in certain situations if the
vehicle overturns and if the system deter-
mines that deployment can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt
i Not all airbags are deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work independ-
ently of each other.
How the airbag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, and the apparent type of accident:
R frontal collision
R side impact
R overturn PRE-SAFE
®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Introduction In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE
®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the vehi-
cle occupants.
Important safety notes !
Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats. There is a risk
that the seats and/or the objects could be
damaged when PRE-SAFE ®
is activated.
Although your vehicle is equipped with a PRE-
SAFE ®
system, the possibility of injury in the
event of an accident cannot be ruled out. Always
adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions and maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front. Drive
carefully. Function PRE-SAFE
®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. when
BAS is activated
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when physi-
cal limits are exceeded and the vehicle under- steers or oversteers severely
R on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS: if Adaptive
Brake Assist intervenes powerfully
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned
R if the vehicle skids, the side windows are
closed
R vehicles with the memory function for the
front-passenger seat: the front-passenger
seat is adjusted if it is in an unfavourable
position
If the hazardous situation passes without result- ing in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens the belt
pre-tensioning. All settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced:
X Move the seat backrest or seat back slightly
when the vehicle is stationary.
Seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. Informa-
tion about the convenience function can be
found under "Belt adjustment" (Y page 38). Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures may be implemented, depending on
the type and severity of the impact: R the hazard warning lamps are activated
R the emergency lighting is activated
R the vehicle doors are unlocked
R the front side windows are lowered
R vehicles with a memory function: the electri-
cally adjustable steering wheel is raised when
the driver's door is opened 48
Occupant safetySafety

R
EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
(Y page 60)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE (Y page 60)Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions and maintain a safe distancefrom the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tyres and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tyres, recommended minimum tyre
tread depths etc. (Y page 261).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as effec-
tively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General notes ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h,
regardless of road-surface conditions. ABS
works on slippery surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 54). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid- ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems, includ-
ing driving safety systems, will also become
inoperative. Observe the information on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 197) and display mes-
sages which may be shown in the instrument
cluster (Y page 172).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions; this serves as a
reminder to take extra care while driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
General notes BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 54). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident. 54
Driving safety systemsSafety