
3 Contents 
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 190
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 191
Maintenance  ................................... 191
Tele Aid  ........................................... 192
Catalytic converter  ........................202
Emission control  ............................203
Starter switch  .................................204
Starting and turning off 
the engine  ..................................206
Automatic transmission  ...............207
Parking brake  ................................. 215Driving instructions ....................... 216
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ......... 216
Drinking and driving  ................. 216
Pedals  ........................................... 216
Power assistance .........................217
Brakes ...........................................217
Driving off ....................................218
Parking  ......................................... 219
Tires  .............................................. 219
Snow chains  ............................... 222
Winter driving instructions  ..... 222
Deep water  .................................. 224
Passenger compartment  ........... 225
Traveling abroad  ........................ 225
Off-Road driving  ............................ 226
Cruise control  ................................ 234
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  .......................................... 237Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ...........................................239
Four-wheel electronic traction system 
(4-ETS)  ........................................ 241
Electronic Brake Booster 
(EBB)  ...........................................242
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ...........................................243
Transfer case  ..................................247
Switching transfer case .............248
A few words about differentials
and differential locks  ............... 251
Differential locks ............................253
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................258
Check regularly and before a long 
trip ............................................... 261
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5 Contents 
Practical hintsFirst aid kit, vehicle tools 
and jack  ......................................296
CD-changer  .....................................296
Fuses  ................................................297
Electrical outlet  .............................. 301
Stowing items in the vehicle  ........ 301
Hood  .................................................302
Checking engine oil level  .............304
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................305
Engine oil consumption  ................305
Coolant level  ...................................306
Adding coolant  ...........................306
Windshield washer/headlamp 
cleaning system .........................307
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........307Vehicle jack  .................................... 308
Wheels  ............................................. 310
Tire replacement  ........................ 310
Rotating wheels  .......................... 311
Spare wheel cover  ..........................312
Spare wheel ..................................... 313
Changing wheels  ............................ 314
Tire inflation pressure  .................. 318
Battery .............................................. 319
Jump starting  ................................. 321
Towing the vehicle  ........................ 324
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  .................. 327
Stranded vehicle  ............................ 327
Exterior lamps  ............................... 328
Headlamp assembly  .................. 329
Fog lamp, front  ........................... 332
Turn signal lamp, front  ............ 334Turn signal lamp, side ...............335
Front and rear 
side marker lamps  .....................337
Taillamp assemblies  ..................339
License plate lamp  .....................340
Rear fog lamp / Backup lamp ... 341
Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................343
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................345
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  ...................346
Manual release for 
fuel filler flap .............................347
Replacing wiper blades .................348
J_G463.book Seite 5 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

21 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 11Differential-lock switch, see page 253
12Left front seat heater switch, see page 52
13Switch for rear window washer /wiper, see page 138
14Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 139
15AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 271
16Central locking switch, see page 40
17Antitheft alarm system, see page 42
Switch for Tow-away alarm, see page 4318Right front seat heater switch, see page 52
19COMAND system (Cockpit Management and Data 
System), see seperate operating instructions
20Automatic climate control, see page 140
21Ashtray with lighter, see page 168
22Automatic transmission, see page 207
23Parking brake, see page 215
24Transfer case, see page 247
J_G463.book Seite 21 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

189 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio 
transmitters  ............................... 190
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 191
Maintenance  ................................... 191
Tele Aid  ........................................... 192
Catalytic converter  ........................202
Emission control  ............................203
Starter switch  .................................204
Starting and turning off 
the engine  ..................................206
Automatic transmission  ...............207
Parking brake  ................................. 215Driving instructions ....................... 216
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ......... 216
Drinking and driving  ................. 216
Pedals  ........................................... 216
Power assistance .........................217
Brakes ...........................................217
Driving off ....................................218
Parking  ......................................... 219
Tires  .............................................. 219
Snow chains  ............................... 222
Winter driving instructions  ..... 222
Deep water  .................................. 224
Passenger compartment  ........... 225
Traveling abroad  ........................ 225
Off-Road driving  ............................ 226
Cruise control  ................................ 234Brake assist system
(BAS)  ...........................................237
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ...........................................239
Four-wheel electronic 
traction system (4-ETS)  ............ 241
Electronic Brake Booster 
(EBB)  ...........................................242
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ...........................................243
Transfer case  ..................................247
Switching transfer case .............248
A few words about differentials 
and differential locks  ............... 251
Differential locks ............................253
What you should know at 
the gas station  ...........................258
Check regularly and before a long 
trip ............................................... 261
J_G463.book Seite 189 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

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.
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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 

209 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a 
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never 
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow), 
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying 
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the 
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to 
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the 
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever 
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous. 
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone 
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, 
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting 
to position “P”, see page 215 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
against curb.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. 
Children could move the gear selector lever from 
position “P”, which could result in an accident or 
serious injury.
J_G463.book Seite 209 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08