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261 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz 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, 
seepage370.
•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 316.
•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.Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability 
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
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        Page 265 of 390
262 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown 
depth.
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.
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        Page 268 of 390

265 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to 
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle 
speed drops below approximately 20 mph 
(30 km / h), for example when driving upgrade, the 
cruise control will be canceled.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains 
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the 
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when 
driving at a speed exceeding approximately 20 mph
(30 km / h), the vehicle resumes the speed which 
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise 
control.
The last memorized speed is canceled when the 
electronic key in the starter switch is turned to 
position 1 or 0.
Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the 
cruise control off.
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266 Driving systems
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data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently 
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the 
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the 
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise 
controlled speed:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set 
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking 
power.As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission 
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the 
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control 
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and 
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a 
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
winding roads or in heavy traffic because 
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady 
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion 
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if 
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed 
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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        Page 272 of 390

269 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ABS control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the 
instrument cluster comes on with the electronic key in 
starter switch position 2 and should go out with the 
engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster comes on while the engine is 
running, it indicates that the ABS has detected a 
malf un ction  an d has  switched  of f.  In t his cas e, t he b rake 
system functions in the usual manner, but without 
antilock assistance.
For ABS malfunction indicator lamp, see page 283.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also 
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on 
with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is 
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again, 
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the 
ABS is operational.If t he ABS malfunction indicator lamp stays illuminated, 
have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions 
you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as 
appropriate.
Wa r n i n g !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics 
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase 
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded 
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or 
the traction afforded. The ABS cannot prevent 
accidents, including those resulting from excessive 
speed in turns, following another vehicle too 
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and 
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The 
capabilities of a ABS equipped vehicle must never 
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner 
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the 
safety of others.
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270 Driving systems
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data Instruments 
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Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces 
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving 
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by 
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a 
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also 
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the 
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in 
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road 
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see 
page 335, “Towing the vehicle”), the engine must be 
shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1). 
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and 
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics 
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the 
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent 
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from  exc es si ve 
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, 
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. 
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must 
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous 
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or 
the safety of others.
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271 Driving systems
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data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer 
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction 
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 284.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
d ial com es on ). For  t his reas on,  all wheels,  in cludin g t he 
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes. 
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is on ly achieved  wit h Me rced es -B enz  re comm end ed  
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may 
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.
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272 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv in located in speedometer 
dial comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv in located in speedometer 
dial goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with 
sn ow chain s,  or  startin g of f in  d eep  sn ow, san d o r grave l,  
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP 
switch. The ESP warning lampv located in the 
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque 
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced 
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road 
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with 
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the 
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient 
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds 
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches 
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
P42.45-2278-26
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated 
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Ad apt your s peed  an d  d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road  
conditions.
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