
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 

223 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking 
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary 
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore 
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically 
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can 
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to 
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done 
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking ef ficiency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of 
winter.
•Check the engine oil. 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, see page 361.
•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  form ulated  for  b elow f r eezin g temperatures  
see page 307.
•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.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.
J_G463.book Seite 223 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

227 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Be especially careful when driving in unknown 
territory. It is good practice to get out of the vehicle and 
scout the path you intend to take.
Continuous and speedy driving in sandy soil overcomes 
the vehicle rolling resistance, and helps to prevent the 
vehicle from sinking into the ground. Switch on the 
differential locks, see page 253.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It interrupts the 
forward momentum of the vehicle.
Always drive on slopes with the engine running and the 
vehicle in gear.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having friction 
property, can cause exceptional wear and tear as well as 
failure of the brakes.
In this case the brakes may be less effective or even fail 
when you most need them. Always clean and check the 
brakes following each off-road trip.Checklist before off-road driving
• Engine oil level: Check the engine oil level, see 
page 127 and page 304. The display “ENGINE OIL 
LEVEL – O.K.” must appear in the multifunction 
display. 
Only then is a trouble free oil supply obtained even 
on steep gradients with the vehicle.
•Tires: Check  t he tr ead de pt h an d main tain  s pec if ied  
tire pressure (see tire pressure label inside the fuel 
filler flap). Check tires for possible damage and 
remove foreign objects. The valve caps must be 
mounted.
•Rims: Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure 
loss and damage the tire beads. For this reason, 
check and, if necessary, change rims before driving 
off-road.
• Vehicle tool kit: Check if the vehicle jack is 
functional. In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a 
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small plank (to put 
under the vehicle jack on sandy soil) with you.
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295 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
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 295 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

305 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic 
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and 
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is 
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions, 
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center 
check the transmission fluid level.Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made 
after the break-in period. During the break-in period, 
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal. 
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in 
increased consumption.
J_G463.book Seite 305 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

363 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in 
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils 
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on 
recommended brands is available in the Factory 
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for 
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in 
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be 
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil 
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil 
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil, 
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake 
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of 
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard 
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to 
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing 
the system’s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two 
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center will provide you with additional 
information.
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370 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  ............................... 361
Cargo area  ....................................................................... 174
Loading instructions  ................................................ 178
Cargo area cover blind  .................................................. 180
Cargo compartment lamps  ........................................... 159
Cargo tie-down rings  ..................................................... 174
Catalytic converter  ........................................................ 202
CD player
See Audio systems  ...................................................... 96
CD-changer  ..................................................................... 296
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 184
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch  .................................................... 40
Central locking system  ................................................... 29
Automatic central locking  ......................................... 41
Central locking switch  ............................................... 40
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 31
General notes ............................................................... 28
Locking and unlocking 
driver’s door manually  .......................................... 36
Locking and unlocking 
the tailgate manually ............................................. 38Locking and unlocking 
with remote control  ............................................... 31
Locking the tailgate separately  ................................. 39
Mechanical keys  ..........................................................33
Obtaining replacement keys  .....................................27
Summer opening/convenience feature  ...................32
Vehicle keys  ................................................................. 26
Changing wheels ............................................................ 314
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 261
Checking engine oil level
Via oil dipstick  .......................................................... 304
Child restraint  ........................................................... 56, 73
Cleaning and care of the vehicle  ................................ 350
Climate control  ............................................................... 140
Adjustable air outlets, 
rear passenger compartment  ............................. 150
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 146
Basic setting ............................................................... 144
Defrosting  ................................................................... 145
Display and controls  ................................................. 142
Dust filter  ................................................................... 143
Economy mode  .......................................................... 147
Residual engine heat utilization  ............................. 148
Special settings  ......................................................... 144
Windows fogged up on the inside  .......................... 145
Windows fogged up on the outside  ........................ 146
J_G463.book Seite 370 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08