Page 326 of 406

323 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added.Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
Wa r n i n g !
• In order to avoid possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the coolant is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194
°F
(90
°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.
OM_203.book Seite 323 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 327 of 406
324 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Vehicles without headlamp cleaning system:
Capacity approximately 3.2 US qt (3.0 l)
Vehicles with headlamp cleaning system:
Capacity approximately 6.4 US qt (6.0 l)Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1part“S” to 100parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperatures below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1part“S” to 100parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
Wa r n i n g !
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flammable. Do
not spill washer solvent/antifreeze on hot engine
parts, because it may burn. You can be seriously
burned.
OM_203.book Seite 324 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 334 of 406

331 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine (manual transmission to 1st or reverse gear).
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On an level road, place one chock in front of
and one behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehi c le a t the j ack take-up b ra ckets b ui lt i nto eit her
side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury,
use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change. Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet away
from the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels before
raising vehicle with jack.
Do n ot d is engage parki n g brake w hil e t he vehi c le i s
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Always
lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the vehicle.
OM_203.book Seite 331 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 336 of 406
333 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 7. Place jack on firm ground. Position jack (1) under
the take-up bracket (2) so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side, even if the
vehicle is parked on an incline.
The jack take-up brackets are located directly
behind the front wheel housings and in front of the
rear wheel housings.
8. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.9. Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and install
alignment bolt (1) supplied in the tool kit. Remove
the remaining bolts. Keep bolt threads protected
from dirt and sand.
10. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.
P 40.10-2428-26
OM_203.book Seite 333 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 341 of 406
338 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Sealing tire with TIREFIT
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Take TIREFIT out of trunk, see page 326.
4. Shake contents of TIREFIT container.
Screw hose (1) on to TIREFIT container.
TIREFIT is now ready for use.5. Unscrew valve tire cap. Remove tire valve (2) using
valve stem r emoval tool (3 ). Do n ot p lace tir e valve in
sand or dirt.
1
P 40.10-2158-26
OM_203.book Seite 338 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 345 of 406

342 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc. Regular tire pressure checks
(including the spare tire) at intervals of no more than
14 days are therefore essential.
If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight as indicated by the label on
the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clot hin g. In cas e i t d oes , i mm ed ia tely f lus h a f fected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc.
OM_203.book Seite 342 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 346 of 406

343 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite
plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle
is in operation.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.Removal of filter box:
Release three clamps (1) and remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:
Install filter box properly and secure with
three clamps (1).
OM_203.book Seite 343 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 348 of 406

345 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Important!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14
°F
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the engine compartment on the
right hand side.1Negative (–) under hood terminal
2Positive (+) under hood terminal
OM_203.book Seite 345 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11