
3 ContentsSnow chains  ................................ 179
Winter driving instructions  ...... 180
Deep water  .................................. 181
Passenger compartment  ........... 182
Traveling abroad  ........................ 182
Off-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
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the
instrument cluster  .....................218
On-board diagnostic system – 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp  .............................218
Brake warning lamp  ...................219
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp  .................. 219
Fuel reserve warning  ................ 220
Electronic stability
program (ESP) / Electronic 
traction system (ETS) – 
warning lamp  ............................. 221
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 221
4-ETS malfunction
indicator lamp  ............................ 221
LOW RANGE
indicator lamp  ............................ 221
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 222Adjustable steering wheel – 
indicator lamp .............................222
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................222
Seat belt warning lamp  .............223
Charge indicator lamp  ...............223
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................224
Low engine coolant 
level warning  ..............................224
Brake pad wear 
indicator lamp .............................225
FSS indicator ...............................225 

4 Contents
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................228
Fuses ................................................228
Electrical outlet  ..............................230
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......230
Hood ................................................. 231
Checking engine oil level  .............233
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................234
Engine oil consumption  ................234
Coolant level  ...................................234
Adding coolant  ...........................235
Windshield washer/headlamp 
cleaning system .........................236
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid 
mixing ratio  ................................237Vehicle jack, wheel bolt
wrench and screwdriver  ......... 237
Air pump ......................................... 239
Wheels ............................................ 240
Tire replacement  ....................... 240
Rotating wheels  ......................... 241
Spare wheel .................................... 242
Changing wheels  ........................... 245
Tire inflation pressure  ................. 250
Battery ............................................. 251
Jump starting  ................................. 253
Towing the vehicle  ........................ 255
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  .................. 259
Stranded vehicle  ............................ 259Exterior lamps  ................................260
Headlamp assembly ................... 261
Taillamp assemblies  ..................265
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............268
Remote control
battery replacement  .................270
Synchronizing
remote control  ............................ 271
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  ...................272
Emergency operation of
Skyview Top ...............................273
Manual release for 
fuel filler flap ............................. 274
Replacing wiper blades .................275
Roof rack  ......................................... 276 

73 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.First select the mirror to be adjusted – turn switch:
1Left mirror
2Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to 
either side.
Note:
After turning off the engine the exterior rear view 
mirrors can be operated with a front door opened or 
with key in steering lock position 1 for approximately 
30 minutes.
P82.00-2044-26
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side 
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is 
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field 
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they 
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or 
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes. 

79 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp comes on when the engine is 
running, it indicates a malfunction of the 
fuel management system, emission control 
system, systems which impact emissions, or 
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases, 
we recommend that you have the 
malfunction checked as soon as possible, see 
page 218.Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (Service A), see page 87
FSS indicator (Service B), see page 87
The symbols appear in the main odometer display field 
prior to the next suggested service. Depending on 
operating conditions throughout the year, the next 
service is calculated and displayed in days or distance 
remaining. See page 87 for notes on the flexible service 
system (FSS).
CHECK
ENGINE 

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 

147 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the 
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its 
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle 
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate 
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle 
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended 
to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear. 
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1” 
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually 
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
Approximately 30 days or 2 000 miles 
(Canada: 2000 km) prior to the next recommended 
service, the remaining distance or days are displayed in 
the multifunction indicator. See Flexible Service System 
(FSS) on page 87.
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle 
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center, in accordance with the Service Booklet at the 
times called for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance 
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Check regularly and before a long trip, see page 215. 

164 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn key in steering lock 
to position 2. The charge indicator lamp should come on.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop 
and release. The starter will engage until the engine is 
running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn key completely to the left and repeat starting the 
engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center.
A starting procedure can be interrupted by turning the 
key to steering lock position 0.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the key 
must be turned completely to the left before attempting 
to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4°F 
(-20°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center will advise you on this subject.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started and the 
messagesÁ and î are shown in the odometer 
display field, the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 
(in Canada).
Turning off
Turn the key in the steering lock to position 0 to stop the 
engine.
The key can only be removed with the selector lever in 
position “P”.