
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

216 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold
weat her, in stop -and -go traf f ic, on short trip s an d in hilly
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.Please do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.
J_G463.book Seite 216 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

220 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Specified tire pressures must be maintained. This
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
aquaplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in
the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As
tread depth approaches
1/16in (1.5 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
J_G463.book Seite 220 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.
J_G463.book Seite 227 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

237 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Brake assist system (BAS)The BAS is designed to maximize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers by
having maximum power boost applied to the brakes
more quickly in emergency braking conditions than
might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver’s
braking style. This can help reduce braking distances
over what ordinary driving and braking style might do.
The BAS complements the antilock brake system (ABS).
Applying the brakes very quickly results in maximum
BAS assistance.
To receive the benefit of the system you must apply
continuous full braking power during the stopping
sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Wa r n i n g !
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded. The BAS 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, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
J_G463.book Seite 237 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

259 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approximately 25.4 US gal (96.0 l).
This includes approximately 5.3 US gal (20.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane
Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
•Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 127 and page 304.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.•Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 306 and 365.
• Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 360.
•Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside
the fuel filler flap. See page 318 for further details.
•Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see
page 363.
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.
J_G463.book Seite 259 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

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

311 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
page 318.
J_G463.book Seite 311 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08