Page 262 of 399

259 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.Caution!
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.
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 service 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 operating temperature has been
reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n 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.
Page 283 of 399
280 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 320.
2Coolant level,
see “Coolant level” on page 319
3Brake fluid, (fuse box cover removed),
see “Brake fluid” on page 379
Opening hood, see page 315.
Removing fuse box cover, see page 312.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 345.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 143.
P01.00-2213-26
Page 284 of 399

281 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 282
On-board diagnostic system ......... 283
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp............................. 283
Brake warning lamp .................. 284
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 285
Fuel reserve warning................. 286
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp.............................................. 287
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 288
Seat belt nonusage warning
lamp ............................................288Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console...... 289
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 289
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 290
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE................ 291
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ....... 292
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .... 293
BRAKE ASSIST........................... 293
BRAKE PAD WEAR.................... 294
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 294
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 295
SEAT BELT SYSTEM .................. 295
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program).. 296
COOLANT (coolant level).......... 297COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 298
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 299
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 300
LIGHT SENSOR........................... 302
DOOR............................................ 302
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 303
HOOD ........................................... 303
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 304
TELE AID ..................................... 304
WASHER FLUID.......................... 305
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 306
KEY............................................... 306
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 307
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 307
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST. ..... 308
Page 287 of 399
284 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
Page 297 of 399
294 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 290When this message appears during braking, it indicates
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 290 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don’t add brake fluid before checking
the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid
reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
Page 301 of 399

298 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 290
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced before continuing
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant
temperature gauge. See page 137
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Page 308 of 399
305 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index WA S H E R F L U I D
* C = Category, see page 290.
When this message appears while the engine is
running, the level of the reservoir has dropped to
approximately
1/3 of the total volume. The reservoir
should be refilled with the prescribed mixture of MB
Windshield washer concentrate and water or the
concentrate and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperature, at the next opportunity. The
reservoir for the windshield and headlamp washer
systems is located in the engine compartment.
See windshield and headlamp washer system on
page 320 for instructions on topping up the washer
fluid.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
WASHER FLUID CHECK LEVEL! 3
Page 312 of 399

309 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit...................................... 310
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 311
Fuses ................................................ 311
Hood ................................................. 315
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 317
Adding engine oil........................... 318
Coolant level ................................... 319
Adding coolant............................ 319
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 320
Spare wheel, storage
compartment.............................. 321Vehicle tools and air pump .......... 322
Vehicle jack .................................... 323
Wheels ............................................ 324
Tire replacement........................ 324
Rotating wheels ......................... 325
Spare wheel .................................... 326
Changing wheels ........................... 327
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ..................................... 333
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ................................... 334
Tire inflation pressure ................. 335
Battery............................................. 336
Jump starting.................................. 338Towing the vehicle......................... 341
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................... 344
Exterior lamps ................................ 345
Replacing bulbs .......................... 345
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 351
Synchronizing remote
control .......................................... 353
Emergency engine shut-down ..... 353
Fuel filler flap, manual release ... 354
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 356
Roof rack ......................................... 357