
2 Contents
Fog lamp switch 
(except Canada) ........................... 92
Fog lamp switch 
(Canada only)  .............................. 93
Hazard warning flasher 
switch ............................................ 94
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 94
Windshield wiper/washer 
switch ............................................ 95
Rear window wiper/washer  ........... 96
Climate control ................................. 98
Basic setting – Heater  ............... 100
Basic setting – 
Air conditioner  ........................... 100
Special setting  ............................ 101
Dust filter  .................................... 102
Air recirculation  ......................... 102
Rear window defroster  .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows  ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting  ..............................110
Sun visors  ........................................113Illuminated vanity mirrors  ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments, 
armrest and cup holder  ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints  ......... 124
Third row seats  .............................. 126
Removable cargo floor plates  ...... 129
Enlarged cargo area  .......................131
Cargo tie-down rings  .....................132
Hooks ...............................................133
Partition net  ....................................133
Loading instructions  ......................136
Cargo area cover blind  ..................137
Telephone, general  .........................139
Cellular telephone  ..........................139
Garage door opener ....................... 140
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid  ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter  ........................ 160
Emission control  ............................ 161
Steering lock  ................................... 162
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 164
Automatic transmission  ............... 165
Parking brake  ................................. 173
Driving instructions  ...................... 174
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ......... 174
Drinking and driving ................. 174
Pedals ........................................... 174
Power assistance  ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off  ................................... 176
Parking ........................................ 176
Tires ............................................. 177 

11 IntroductionChange of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the “Change of Address Notice” found in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA) at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in your own interest that we can 
contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all literature with the vehicle to make it available to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Service and 
Warranty Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA) at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
•Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
•unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage 
the catalysts,
•gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage. 

89 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping 
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
Turn the key in steering lock to position 2 and wait until 
the display “––––––” appears in the odometer display 
field.
Within 1 second press button (1) twice.The following messages are available:
“OIL i.O” 
No oil needs to be added.
“–1.0 L”
“–1.5 L”
“–2.0 L”
Add oil to upper (max) mark of the dipstick.
See page 233 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“OIL HI”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could 
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The display “––––––” flashes in the odometer display 
field if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The 
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it 
cannot be completed via the odometer display field. 
See page 233.
In this case we recommend that you have the system 
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. 

145 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid  ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter  ........................ 160
Emission control  ............................ 161
Steering lock  ................................... 162
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 164
Automatic transmission  ............... 165
Parking brake  ................................. 173Driving instructions .......................174
Drive sensibly – save fuel  .........174
Drinking and driving  .................174
Pedals ...........................................174
Power assistance ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off .................................... 176
Parking ......................................... 176
Tires ............................................. 177
Snow chains  ............................... 179
Winter driving instructions  ......180
Deep water  ...................................181
Passenger compartment  ............182
Traveling abroad  .........................182Off-Road driving  ............................. 183
Trailer towing  ................................. 190
Cruise control  ................................. 196
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............ 199
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....... 201
Four-wheel electronic 
traction system (4-ETS+) ..........203
Electronic brake 
proportioning (EBP) ..................204
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................205
Transmission control – 
LOW RANGE mode  ...................209
What you should know
at the gas station  ....................... 212
Check regularly and
before a long trip  ...................... 215 

160 Catalytic converter
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type 
catalytic converters, an important element in 
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve 
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust 
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating 
condition by following our recommended maintenance 
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only 
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should 
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned 
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to 
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate 
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials 
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact 
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials 
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. 

170 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the ædirection:
The transmission will shift from the current gear 
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”, 
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed 
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature. 
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more 
quickly to operating temperatures.During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift 
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a 
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor 
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of 
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds 
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine 
temperatures below 95°F (35°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever 
is moved to a lower gear range, the transmission will not 
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per 
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will 
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches 
the engine’s RPM limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the 
service brakes. Continue driving in the usual manner. 
The transmission will then shift down automatically.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when 
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily 
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when 
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best 
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order 
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive 
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your 
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of 
control. 

233 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Checking engine oil level
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after 
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the 
oil pan.Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil 
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after 
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
Oil level must be between the 
lower (min) and upper (max) mark of 
the dipstick.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking, 
the level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Do not overfill the engine.
 Excessive oil must be drained 
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and 
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
See page 224 for low engine oil level warning.
Note:
See page 89 for engine oil level indicator. 

254 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that 
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the 
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories, 
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to 
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the 
positive (+) under hood terminal of the discharged 
battery and the other end to the positive (+) terminal 
of the charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps 
do not touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the 
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged 
battery and the final connection to the negative (–) 
terminal of the discharged battery.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery 
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not 
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move 
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged 
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of 
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables 
by exactly reversing the above installation 
sequence, starting with the last connection made 
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it 
does not touch any other metal while the other end 
is still attached.
Notes:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful 
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic 
converter.