
102 Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged up on outside.
Switch on wiper motor.
Set air distribution control switch to positiond 
ora.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system. 
Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of 
snow and debris.
Climate control – OFF
To switch the climate control off, set air volume control 
switch to position0.
Switch off air conditioning mode œ. Control lamp in 
button goes out.Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the 
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s 
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the vehicles’s interior.
To select, press O button. Indicator lamp in button 
lights up.
To cancel, press O button again. Indicator lamp in 
button goes out.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch 
from recirculated air back to fresh air. 

103 Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear window defroster
The switch is located on the center console.
With the engine running, press upper half of the switch. 
Indicator lamp in switch comes on.
To cancel, press upper half of the switch again. Indicator 
lamp in switch goes out.Notes:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed 
before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster consumes a large amount of 
electrical power. To keep the battery drain to a 
minimum, turn off the defroster as soon as the window 
is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after 
approximately 10 to 18 minutes of operation, dependent 
on the outside temperature.
If several power consumers are turned on 
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged, 
it is possible that the rear window defroster will 
automatically turn itself off. When this happens, the 
indicator lamp inside the switch starts blinking for 
approximately 30 seconds. If within this time the 
battery has sufficient voltage, the rear window defroster 
automatically turns itself back on.
After approximately 30 seconds without sufficient 
voltage the rear window defroster switches off (indicator 
lamp goes out). 

187 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving through water
120 in (50 cm)
Before driving through water, determine its depth. It 
should not be deeper than approximately 
20 inches (50 cm).Switch to LOW RANGE mode before driving through 
water. 
Switch off the exterior lamps as well as the climate 
control.
Enter the water only at a shallow spot. Never take a 
running start. Drive slowly, avoiding a bow wave. 
Do not stop vehicle immersed in water, and do not shut 
off the engine.
To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the brake pedal 
several times after leaving the water. 

195 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector 
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW 
RANGE, see page 209 for instructions on how to engage 
LOW RANGE.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower gear and 
use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the brakes, 
thus overheating the vehicle and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high 
temperature (coolant temperature needle approaching 
the red zone) when the air conditioner is on, turn off the 
air conditioner. Engine coolant heat can be additionally 
vented by opening the windows, switching the climate 
control fan speed to high and setting the temperature 
control to the maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle with 
a trailer will require additional passing distance ahead 
than when driving without a trailer. Because your 
vehicle and trailer is longer than your vehicle alone, you 
will also need to go much farther ahead of the passed 
vehicle before you can return to your lane.Parking
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to 
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trailer 
movement, always:1. Keep right foot on brake pedal.2. Shift gear selector lever to position “N”.3. Have a second person place wheel chocks on 
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.4. Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and 
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.5. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.6. Move gear selector lever to position “P”.7. On inclines turn front wheels towards the road 
curb. 

279 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due 
to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be removed 
or repaired with the car-care products recommended 
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of 
your vehicle and give important “how-to” information as 
well as references to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care 
products.
Additional information can be found in the booklet titled 
“Vehicle Care Guide”.
Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning the vehicle 
always observe manufacturers’ operating instructions.
Caution!
Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The 
intense jet of water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the surface. 
Do not aim directly at electrical parts, electrical 
connectors, seals, or other rubber parts.Ta r st a in s
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become 
more difficult to remove. A tar remover is 
recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should be applied 
when water drops on the paint surface do not “bead up”, 
normally in 3 to 5 months, depending on climate and 
washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner should be 
applied if paint surface shows signs of dirt embedding 
(i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if your 
vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for quick and 
provisional repairs of minor paint damage (i.e. chips 
from stones, vehicle doors etc.). 

298 Consumer information
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures 
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal 
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic 
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the 
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum 
section width. For example:
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to federal 
safety requirements in addition to these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on 
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled 
conditions on a specified government test course. For 
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half 
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire 
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and 
may depart significantly from the norm due to 
variations in driving habits, service practices and 
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, 
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test surfaces of 
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor 
traction performance. Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on 
straight ahead braking traction tests, and does not 
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics. 

301 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Brake fluid  ............................................................. 175, 294
Brake warning lamp  ................................................. 219
Capacity ......................................................................293
Brake pad wear indicator  .............................................225
Brake warning lamp  ...................................................... 219
Brake fluid low  .......................................................... 219
Brakes  ....................................................173, 175, 293, 294
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  ...............................292
Cargo area  ....................................................................... 131
Hooks .......................................................................... 133
Loading instructions  ................................................ 136
Cargo area cover blind  .................................................. 137
Cargo compartment lamp  .............................................. 111
Cargo floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Storage ........................................................................ 130
Cargo tie-down rings  ..................................................... 132
Catalytic converter  ........................................................ 160
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 139
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch  .................................................... 32Central locking system .................................................... 26
Automatic central locking  .........................................32
Locking and unlocking ............................................... 27
Mechanical keys  ..........................................................29
Panic button  .................................................................28
Remote control  ............................................................26
Unlocking the liftgate  ................................................. 28
Vehicle keys  .................................................................24
Changing wheels ........................................................... 245
Inflating the space-saver tire  ................................. 249
Charge indicator lamp  .................................................. 223
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp  ............ 218
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 215
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator  ....................................89
Via oil dipstick  .......................................................... 233
Child restraint  ..............................................38, 46, 53, 65
Cleaning and care of the vehicle  ................................ 278
Climate control  .................................................................98
Air recirculation  ........................................................102
Basic setting ...............................................................100
Defogging windows  ................................................... 101
Defrosting windshield  .............................................. 101
Dust filter  ...................................................................102
Rear window defroster  ............................................. 103
Special settings  ......................................................... 101 

309 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Special settings (Climate control) ............................... 101
Split rear seat bench  ..................................................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature  ............................................ 123
Rear seat head restraints  ......................................... 124
SRS indicator lamp  ........................................................ 219
SRS malfunction  .............................................................. 57
Start lock-out  .................................................................... 25
Starting and turning off the engine  ............................ 164
Steering lock  ................................................................... 162
Steering wheel
Adjustable .................................................................... 70
Indicator lamp  ...........................................................222
Stop lamp, high mounted  .............................................267
Storage compartments
Center console  ............................................................115
Compartment under front passenger seat  .............116
Glove box  .....................................................................115
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......................................230
Stranded vehicle  ............................................................259
Sun visors  ........................................................................113
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 54
Synchronizing remote control  ..................................... 271
TTachometer ........................................................................82
Technical data  ................................................................ 287
Electrical system  ...................................................... 290
Main dimensions  ...................................................... 291
Rims and tires  ..................................................288, 289
Weights ...................................................................... 290
Tele Aid  ............................................................................ 148
Emergency calls  ........................................................149
Information ................................................................ 154
Initiating an emergency call manually .................. 151
Roadside Assistance  ................................................. 152
Telephone, general ......................................................... 139
Telephones and two-way radios  ................................... 146
Telescoping steering column
Adjusting ......................................................................70
Indicator lamp  .......................................................... 222
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)  ................................147
Third row seats  ...............................................................126
Tie-down rings, cargo  .................................................... 132
Tire inflation pressure  ................................................. 250
Tire traction  ....................................................................178