
Activate ESP®as soon as the situations descri-
bed above no longer apply. ESP®will otherwise
not be able to stabilize the vehicle 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®
XTo activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The SPORT
han‐dling modemessage appears in the multi-
function display.
XTo deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M handling mode warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. ESP
®is activa-
ted.
XTo deactivate ESP®: press button :.
The å ESP®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The ÷OFF
message appears in the multifunction display.
XTo activate ESP®:when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP®is deactivated,
press button :.
The å ESP
®OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ON
message appears in the multifunction display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or
more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster flashes. ESP®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree. When SPORT handling mode is activated:
RESP®only improves driving stability to a limi-
ted degree.
RTraction control is still activated.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
Characteristics when ESP®is deactivated
If ESP®is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®warning lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. In such situations,
ESP
®will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP®:
RESP®no longer improves driving stability.
REngine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a cutting
action for better traction on loose surfaces.
RTraction control is still activated.
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is no longer
available, nor is it activated if you brake firmly
with assistance from ESP.
RPRE-SAFE®is no longer available, nor is it
activated if you brake firmly and ESP®inter-
venes.
RESP®still provides support when you brake
firmly.
EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General information
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 52).
Driving safety systems57
Safety
Z

GWARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the
risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (
Ypage 192) as well as display
messages (Ypage 169).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety and
offers increased braking comfort. In addition to
the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also fea-
tures the hill start assist function (
Ypage 104).
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO start-func-
tion or KEYLESS-GO: switch the ignition off
and open the driver's door.
XTo activate with the SmartKey: remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Anyone
can start the engine if a valid SmartKey has been
left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle's battery is charged), the sys- tem is not operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds.
XTo disarm: unlock the vehicle with the Smart-
Key or KEYLESS-GO.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Ra door
Rthe vehicle with the mechanical key
Rthe tailgate
Rthe hood
XTo turn the alarm off with the SmartKey:
press the %or& button on the Smart-
Key.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
XTo stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The SmartKey
must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress the Start/Stop button. The SmartKey
must be inside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.
iIf the alarm continues for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call sys-
tem automatically notifies the Customer
Assistance Center. This is done either by text
message or data connection.
58Protection against theft
Safety

The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are turn-
ing.
You could therefore be locked out if:
Rthe vehicle is being pushed.
Rthe vehicle is being towed.
Rthe vehicle is on a roller dynamometer.
iYou can activate and deactivate the auto-
matic locking mechanism via the multimedia
system (see the Digital Operator's Manual).
Unlocking/locking the driver's door
using the mechanical key
i
If you want to centrally lock the vehicle using
the mechanical key, begin by pressing the
locking button for the interior locking mech-
anism while the driver's door is open. Then
lock the driver's door using the mechanical
key.
XInsert the mechanical key as far as it will go
into opening :in the protective cap.
XPull and hold the door handle.
XPull the protective cap on the mechanical key
as straight as possible away from the vehicle
until it releases.
XRelease the door handle.
XTo unlock: turn the mechanical key counter-
clockwise as far as it will go to position 1.
XTo lock:turn the mechanical key clockwise as
far as it will go to position 1.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem will be triggered. Switch off the alarm
(
Ypage 58).
Cargo compartment
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
GWARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sudden braking or a sud-
den change in direction.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey.
68Cargo compartment
Opening and closing

Correct driver's seat position
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten 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.
Observe the following when adjusting steering
wheel :, seat belt ;and driver's seat =:
Ryou are as far away from the driver's air bag as
possible.
Ryou are sitting in a normal upright position.
Ryour thighs are slightly supported by the seat
cushion.
Ryour legs are not entirely stretched and you
can depress the pedals properly.
Rthe back of your head is supported at eye level
by the center of the head restraint.
Ryou can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
Ryou can move your legs freely.
Ryou can see all the displays in the instrument
cluster clearly.
Ryou should have a good overview of traffic
conditions.
Rthe seat belt is pulled snugly against the bodyand is routed across the center of your shoul-
der and across your hips in the pelvic area.
Further related subjects:
RManual seat adjustment (Ypage 76)
RElectrical seat adjustment (Ypage 77)
RFastening the seat belt correctly (Ypage 39).
RAdjusting the rear-view mirror and exterior
mirrors (Ypage 82).
RStoring the seat, steering wheel and exterior
mirror settings using the memory function
(
Ypage 84).
Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they adjust
the seats, particularly when unattended.
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 seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
GWARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
(
Ypage 40) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Ypage 49).
Seats75
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten 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.
For safety reasons, seat fore-and-aft adjustment
on electrically adjustable seats is only possible
for a maximum of two seconds when the vehicle
is in motion. The seat fore-and-aft adjustment
can then no longer be set.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem.
GWARNING
If head restraints are not adjusted correctly,
they cannot provide protection as intended.
There is an increased risk of injury in the head
and neck area, e.g. in the event of an accident or when braking.
Before driving off, make sure for every vehicle
occupant that the center of the head restraint
supports the back of the head at about eye
level.
GWARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder.
!To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rkeep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat heat-
ing should also not be used to dry the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see "Interior care".
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place sharp objects on the seat
cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools. The
seats should only be occupied by passen-
gers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating materi-
als, e.g. blankets, coats, bags, seat covers,
child seats or booster seats.
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell under or behind the seats when mov-
ing the seats back. There is a risk that the
seats and/or the objects could be damaged.
Adjusting the seats manually
General notes
The manually adjustable seat is only available in
Canada.
76Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Adjusting the seat fore-and-aft position
XLifthandle :and slid eth eseat forward sor
backwards .
XReleaselever :again .
Mak esur ethat you hear th eseat engage in
position .
Backrest angle
XRelieveth epressur eon th ebackrest .
XPull lever =up and adjust th ebackrest to th e
desired angle.
XReleas elever =again .
The seat backrest mus taudibly engage .
Seat height
XPull up or push down lever ;repeatedly until
th eseat has reached th edesired height .
Adjusting the seats electri cally
:Seat cushion angle
;Seat height
=Backrest angle
?Seat fore-and-aftadjustmen t Fo
rsafet yreasons, seat fore-and-af tadjustmen t
on electrically adjustable seat sis only possibl e
for amaximum of two seconds when th evehicl e
is in motion .The seat fore-and-af tadjustmen t
can then no longer be set .
iFurther relatedsubjects :
RYou can store th eseat setting susin gth e
memory function (Ypage 84).
RIf PRE-SAFE®is triggered ,th efront-
passenger seat will be moved to abette r
position if it was previously in an unfavora-
ble position (
Ypage 48).
Adjusting the head restraints
XTo raise: pull thehead restrain tup to th e
desired position .
XTo lower:push th ehead restrain tdown to th e
desired position .
iThe head restrain tcan only be adjusted on
manually and electrically adjustable seats,
but no twit hAM GPerformance Seats .
Adjusting the lumbar support
You can adjust thecontour of th eseat backrest s
individually to provid eoptimum support for your
back.
Seats77
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

:To raise the backrest contour
;To soften the backrest contour
=To lower the backrest contour
?To harden the backrest contour
Adjusting the AMG Performance Seat
General notes
To adjust the contour of the seat and for
improved lateral support, you can individually
adjust the front seats.
The AMG Performance seat is designed for the
standard three-point seat belt. If you install
another multi-point seat belt, e.g. sport or racing
seat belts, the restraint system cannot provide
the best level of protection.
For further information about the seat belt
(
Ypage 38)
Adjusting the side bolsters of the seat
cushion and the seat backrest
Driver's seat
Side bolsters of the seat cushion
XTo narrow: press button :.
XTo broaden: press button;.
Side bolsters of the seat backrest
XTo narrow: press button =.
XTo broaden: press button?.
Front-passenger seat
Side bolsters of the seat backrest
XTo narrow:press button :.
XTo broaden: press button;.
iThe side bolsters of the front-passenger
seat cushion cannot be adjusted.
Switching the seat heating on/off
Switching on/off
GWARNING
Repeatedly switching on the seat heating can
cause the seat cushion and backrest pads to
become very hot. The health of persons with
limited temperature sensitivity or a limited
ability to react to excessively high tempera-
tures may be affected or they may even suffer
burn-like injuries. There is a risk of injury.
Therefore, do not switch the seat heating on
repeatedly.
78Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

The three red indicator lamps in the button indi-
cate the heating level you have selected.
The system automatically switches down from
level3to level 2after approximately eight
minutes.
The system automatically switches down from
level 2to level 1after approximately ten
minutes.
The system automatically switches off approx-
imately 20 minutes after it is set to level 1.
XSelect key position2with the Start/Stop but-
ton.
XTo switch on: press button:repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.
XTo switch off: press button:repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
iIf the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off.
Seats79
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z