
79 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the mirror.
Automatic antiglare night position
With the key in starter switch position 2 and the 
automatic antiglare function activated, the mirror 
reflection brightness responds to changes in light 
sensitivity.Notes:
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp) 
switched on, the mirror brightness does not respond to 
changes in light sensitivity.
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
mirror.
The antiglare function will not react for example, if the 
cargo area is fully loaded.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, 
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek medical 
help if necessary.
J_G463.book Seite 79 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

191 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n i c a 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 t he vehicle by  man ually  shif tin g 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
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.
For information on the Flexible service system (FSS), 
see page 124.
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204 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starter switch
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position 
only. The steering is locked when the electronic key 
is removed from the starter switch. If necessary, 
move steering wheel slightly to allow the locking 
mechanism to engage. 
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the 
electronic key can be removed only with the selector 
lever in position “P”. After removing the electronic key or with the electronic key in starter switch 
position 0 or 1 the selector lever is locked in 
position “P”.
1Most electrical devices can be operated. For detailed 
information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
Gear selector lever is unlocked. 
To move the selector lever out of position “P” firmly 
depress the service brake pedal. 
3Starting position.
See page 206 for instructions on starting and turning off 
the engine.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock the 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause 
serious personal injury.
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207 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission selects individual gears 
automatically, dependent upon•Selector lever position, see page 210
•Transfer case position “HIGH” or “LOW”
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, 
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation 
and the road characteristics.
Note:
For shifting differential locks, see page 253.
For shifting transfer case, see page 247.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the 
vehicle with the engine running, firmly pull parking 
brake lever up as many notches as possible and shift the 
selector lever into “P”.
When starting of f 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.
J_G463.book Seite 207 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

208 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in 
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of 
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly 
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shif t s elector leve r to t he d es ir ed pos ition  on ly  when  t he 
engine is idling normally and the service brake is 
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. 
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the 
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”, 
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before 
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full 
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum 
ac celeration . On ce t he d es ire d s peed  is  attain ed , eas e up 
on the accelerator – the transmission shifts up again.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the 
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service 
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N” 
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not 
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids 
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” 
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. 
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the 
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in 
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and 
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when your 
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
O n  s l i p p e ry  ro a d  s u rfa c es ,  n eve r d ow n s h i f t  i n  o rd e r  
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive 
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your 
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of 
control.
J_G463.book Seite 208 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

212 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances 
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the 
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the 
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range 
to the next lower gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The selector lever position display will switch to the 
gear range currently selected by the automatic 
transmission.
Shifting into another gear range that allows for quicker 
acceleration or to slow the vehicle down is possible. 
Downshifts can also be performed.Note:
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever 
is moved in “D –” direction, the transmission will not 
shift to a lower gear range if the engine’s revolutions 
per minute limit would be exceeded.
Briefly press selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range 
to the next higher gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range 
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”, 
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed 
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature. 
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more 
quickly to operating temperatures.
Wa r n i n g !
O n  s l i p p e ry  ro a d  s u rfa c es ,  n eve r d ow n s h i f t  i n  o rd e r  
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive 
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your 
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of 
control.
J_G463.book Seite 212 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

213 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift 
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a 
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor 
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of 
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds 
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine 
temperatures below 95
°F (35
°C).
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when 
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily 
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when 
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best 
torque range.
For notes on driving the vehicle in transfer case 
position “LOW”, see page 248.Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for 
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for 
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission 
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear 
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking 
power downhill.
Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in 
mountainous regions or under extreme operating 
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of 
the engine’s braking power when descending 
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of 
the engine’s braking effect, while descending 
very steep or lengthy downgrades.
Note:
To avoid overrevving the engine on the rpm limit, the 
transmission will upshift automatically to the next 
higher gear range as long as the vehicle is accelerating.
J_G463.book Seite 213 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

218 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 Light 
Truck 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 of f 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.
To ensure sufficient traction during off-road driving, 
activate differential locks as needed, see page 253.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid 
is  us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of  the vehic l e c an  be 
degraded to an extent that safe braking is 
substantially impaired. This could result in an 
accident.
J_G463.book Seite 218 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08