Page 993 of 4133

189 Controls in detail
Useful features
Stop watch
Press MODE2 (
page 186) repeat-
edly until the stop watch display ap-
pears in the trip computer display3.
Counting
Press RESET1 (
page 186) to start 
counting.Stopping
Press RESET1 again to stop counting.
Resetting
Press and hold RESET1 until the dis-
play shows “0:00”.
Average fuel consumption
Press MODE2 (
page 186) repeat-
edly until the average fuel consumption 
display appears in the trip computer 
display3.Distance remaining with fuel presently 
in tank
Press MODE2 (
page 186) repeat-
edly until the distance remaining dis-
play appears in the trip computer 
display3.
iIf CAL
 remains in the display, calibration 
was not successfully completed. You 
have to recalibrate:
Remove the key from the steering 
lock.
Start the vehicle and start the cali-
bration procedure described previ-
ously.
We recommend that you have the com-
pass calibrated at a Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
iWhen the fuel supply drops to reserve 
level the display flashes distance re-
maining.
USA only:
The display alternates between FUEL
 and distance remaining until 
supply is consistently below the re-
serve level. When the fuel supply is 
very low [approximately 1.5 gal 
(5.5 l)] 
FUEL
 is displayed 
continuously. 
     
        
        Page 994 of 4133

190 Controls in detailUseful featuresCountry
Press MODE2 (
page 186) repeat-
edly until the country display appears 
in the trip computer display3.
Press and hold RESET1 a minimum of 
five seconds to change the country unit 
system.
Canada units system selection
You can choose between CAN-English or 
CAN-French.Setting CAN-English
Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is 
displayed.
Press MODE2 to select 
–ENG
.
Press MODE2 again to set CAN-En-
glish.Setting CAN-French
Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is 
displayed.
Press MODE2.–ENG
 is displayed.
Press RESET1 to select 
–Fr
.
Press MODE2 to set CAN-French.
The language selected determines how the 
various displays are presented, see table.
Display
Language
Date
Cardinal points
Fuel consumption
Distance remaining
GEr
German
DD.MM
Süd, Nord, Ost, West
l/100 km
Kilometer
GB
English
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi / gal (Imperial)
Miles
ESP
Spain
DD.MM
Sur, Norte, Este, Oeste
l/100 km
Kilometer
Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l/100 km
Kilometer
USA
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi / gal (US)
Miles
CAN-ENG
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
l/100 km
Kilometer
CAN-Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l/100 km
Kilometer
GEr
German
DD.MM
Süd, Nord, Ost, West
l/100 km
Kilometer 
     
        
        Page 995 of 4133
191 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care 
     
        
        Page 996 of 4133

192 OperationThe first 1000 miles (1500 km)
In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle 
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later 
on.
Drive your vehicle during the first 
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but 
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads 
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than 
2/3 of max-
imum rpm in each gear).
Avoid accelerating by kick-down.
Do not attempt to slow the vehicle 
down by shifting to a lower gear using 
the gear selector lever.
Select positions3, 2 or1 only when 
driving at moderate speeds (for hill 
driving).After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may grad-
ually increase vehicle and engine speeds 
to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply 
to your vehicle type, also apply when the 
first 1000 miles (1500 km) after the en-
gine, the transfer case, the front differen-
tial or the rear differential has been 
replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits. 
     
        
        Page 997 of 4133

193 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:
Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures
Remove unnecessary loads
Allow engine to warm up under low 
load use
Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration
Have all maintenance work performed 
at the intervals specified in the Service 
Booklet and as required by the FSS. 
Contact your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, 
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and / or taking drugs 
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or 
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions 
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink 
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow 
anyone to drive who has been drinking or 
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal 
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine is not running, there is no 
power assistance for the brake and steering 
systems. In this case, it is important to keep 
in mind that a considerably higher degree of 
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. 
     
        
        Page 998 of 4133

194 OperationDriving instructionsBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after 
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly 
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the 
vehicle with considerable force prior to 
parking. The heat generated serves to dry 
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the 
brakes by applying above-normal braking 
pressure at higher speeds. This will also 
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBP), the brake fluid level in the 
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may 
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake 
system should be carried out by qualified 
technicians only. Contact your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time 
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components, 
the first braking action may be somewhat 
reduced and increased pedal pressure may 
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles 
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will 
cause excessive and premature wear of the 
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating, 
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the 
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other 
road users when you apply the brakes. 
Refer to the description of the Brake 
Assist System (BAS) (
page 78). 
     
        
        Page 999 of 4133

195 Operation
Driving instructions
Install only brake pads and brake fluid 
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive 
on for some time, rather than immediately 
parking, so the air stream will cool down 
the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after 
driving off. Perform this procedure only 
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not 
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do 
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off. 
Doing so may cause serious damage to the 
drivetrain which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake 
fluid is used, the braking properties of the 
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that 
safe braking is substantially impaired. This 
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep 
grades, relieve the load on the brakes 
by shifting into a lower gear to use the 
engine’s braking power. This helps 
prevent overheating of the brakes and 
reduces brake pad wear. 
     
        
        Page 1000 of 4133

196 OperationDriving instructionsParking
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by 
law. These indicators are located in six 
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately 
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point 
the tire is considered worn and should be 
replaced.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition, 
move gear selector lever to positionP. 
When parking on hills, always turn front 
wheels towards the curb.
Warning!
G
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or 
damage to the vehicle powertrain, as a re-
sult of vehicle / trailer movement, always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Shift gear selector lever to positionN.
Have a second person place wheel 
chocks on downhill side of left and right 
trailer wheels.
Slowly release brake pedal and let vehi-
cle and trailer roll into chocks until 
stopped.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to positionP.
When parked on an incline, turn front 
wheel towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or 
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred, 
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
ti o n t o  an  a r ea  wh ic h  is  a  s a fe d is ta n c e fr o m 
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody 
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires 
appear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire 
dealer for repairs.