
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
J_G463.book Seite 3 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

4 Contents 
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................264
On-board diagnostic system  .........265
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................265
Brake warning lamp  ..................266
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................267
Fuel reserve warning .................268
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................269
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............270
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp .............................270
Malfunction and indicator lamp 
in the center console  ................ 271
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 271Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 272
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 273
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 273
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR  ........274
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM  .... 275
BRAKE ASSIST ............................276
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 277
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 277
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 278
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 278
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  . 279
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 280
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 281
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 282LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................283
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................285
DOOR  ...........................................285
TRUNK OPEN  .............................286
HOOD  ...........................................286
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......287
TELE AID  .....................................287
WASHER FLUID  .........................288
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  .................289
KEY ...............................................289
FUEL RESERVE  ..........................290
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................290
ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOSTER 
(EBB)  ............................................ 291
ENGINE AIR FILTER  .................. 291
TC SHIFT   ....................................292
TC SHIFT CONDITIONS  ............292
TC IN NEUTRAL  .........................293
TRANSFER CASE  .......................293
J_G463.book Seite 4 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

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 

28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch 
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is 
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 
(in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 343, or synchronize the electronic key, see 
page 345.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To 
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter 
switch. There could be a slight delay until the 
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical 
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will 
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the 
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
electronic key.
J_G463.book Seite 28 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

86 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam, see page 134
ABS malfunction, see page 269
Brake warning lamp (except Canada), see 
page 266.
Parking brake engaged, see page 266
Brake fluid low, see page 266
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
see page 270
Fasten seat belts, see page 270
SRS malfunction, see page 267Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on when 
the engine is running, it indicates a 
malfunction of the fuel management system, 
emission control system, systems which 
impact emissions, or the fuel cap is not 
closed tight. In all cases, we recommend that 
you have the malfunction checked as soon as 
possible, see page 265.
ABS
J_G463.book Seite 86 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

127 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after turning 
off the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil 
pan.
The message “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” (perform service 
[engine oil level check] on time) will be displayed if the 
required waiting period has not been observed after 
turning off the engine:•with engine at operational temperature 
approximately 5 minutes.
•with engine not at operational temperature up to 
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short 
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 94. 
With the multifunction display showing the trip 
odometer and main odometer, press button j or 
k on the multifunction steering wheel repeatedly 
until the “CORRECT MEASUREMENT – ONLY IF VEH. 
LEVEL” engine oil level indicator appears. This indicator 
is only a reminder. Measurement can be cancelled by 
pressing button j or k if the vehicle is not 
parked on level ground. An incorrect reading will be 
recorded if you do not cancel the measurement. Move 
the vehicle to level ground and measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if 
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – IGNITION ON PLEASE!” 
message appears.
0
60
40100
120
140
mph
2080
P54.30-5173-26
J_G463.book Seite 127 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

128 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASUREMENT IN 
PROCESS” message is displayed after approximately 
3seconds.
One of the following messages will subseq uently appear 
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 304 for 
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
This message will only be displayed if the engine is at 
operational temperature.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could 
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.The “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” message will be displayed 
if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The 
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short 
while.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it 
cannot completed via the multifunction display. 
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 304.
In this case we recommend that you have the system 
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 272 
and page 282 if an engine oil level indicator appears on 
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine 
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN 
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
J_G463.book Seite 128 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

143 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except 
when manually switched off, see page 147.
The climate control only operates with the engine 
running.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode AC
OFF
 is selected, see page 147. 
The temperature selector should be left at the desired 
temperature setting. The temperature selected is 
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a 
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature can be selected 
separately for the left and right side of the passenger 
compartment. Adjust the temperature settings in small 
increments.
The climate control removes considerable moisture from 
the air during operation in the cooling mode. It is 
normal for water to drip on the ground through ducts in 
the underbody.Notes:
Do not obstruct the air f low by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots on the back left and right 
trim panel in the rear cargo compartment.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
place. Economy mode AC
OFF
 cannot be switched off. 
Have the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system.
J_G463.book Seite 143 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08