Page 66 of 317

63 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly 
stressed in an accident must be replaced and 
their anchoring points must also be checked. 
Use only belts installed or supplied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could 
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on 
a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency 
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated 
must be replaced.
• An airbag system component within the 
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has 
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including 
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to 
possible injury through an unintended 
activation of the “SRS”.• No modifications of any kind may be made to 
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This 
includes changing or removing any component 
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of 
additional trim material, badges etc. over the 
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag 
cover, or front door trim panels, and 
installation of additional electrical / electronic 
equipment on or near “SRS” components and 
wiring. Keep area between airbags and 
occupants free of objects (e.g. packages, 
purses, umbrellas, etc.). 
     
        
        Page 184 of 317

181 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of 
winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 292.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures 
see page 237.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS), the four wheel electronic 
traction system (4-ETS+), the electronic stability 
program (ESP), and electronic brake proportioning 
(EBP) can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply 
tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions using snow chains see 
page 179.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown 
depth. Before driving through water, determine its 
depth. It should not be deeper than approximately 
20 inches (50 cm).
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to 
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air 
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical 
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 194 of 317

191 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electrical connections
The vehicle is prewired to accept the seven-wire harness 
included in the Mercedes-Benz approved trailer hitch 
receiver kit. An additional four-pole conversion plug is 
included in the Mercedes-Benz supplied trailer hitch 
receiver kit. For further information, please see your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
In order to prevent possible damage to the vehicle’s 
electrical system by incorrectly installing the trailer 
wiring plug, we recommend having the harness 
connected at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center.Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum 
permissible vehicle weight: 6005 lbs. (2724 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): comprises weight of 
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, installed 
accessories, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue. It 
must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum 
permissible axle weight:
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the maximum 
permissible trailer weight to be towed: 
5000 lbs. (2260 kg)
Trailer Tongue Weight Rating (TWR) is the maximum 
permissible weight of the trailer tongue: 
[500 lbs. (225 kg) limit for MB approved hitch receiver] front
rear2755 lbs.
3527 lbs.(1250 kg)
(1600 kg) 
     
        
        Page 196 of 317

193 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Attaching a trailer
Please observe maximum permitted trailer dimensions 
(width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces require safety 
chains between your tow vehicle and the trailer. The 
chains should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue. 
They must be attached to the hitch receiver, and not to 
the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough 
slack in the chains to permit turning corners.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a 
separate brake system at various trailer weights.Caution!
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if trailer is so 
equipped) directly to the vehicle’s hydraulic brake 
system, as your vehicle is equipped with antilock 
brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s brakes nor the 
trailer’s brakes will function properly.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring harness for trailer 
towing has a brake signal wire (color orange) for 
hook-up to a brake controller.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a 
break-away switch on trailers with a separate brake 
system. The switch activates the trailer brakes in the 
possible event that the trailer might separate from the 
tow vehicle.
You should consider using a trailer sway control system. 
For further information see your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.