245 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze 
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the 
water of the windshield and headlamp 
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate 
“S” to a premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated 
for below freezing temperatures 
(page 338).
Battery test. 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.
Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for 
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures 
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry 
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires 
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of ABS, ESP and 4MATIC* in 
winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted 
winter tires are of the same make and have 
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the 
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the 
maximum speed for which your tires are 
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect 
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available from your tire dealer or 
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in 
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires 
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that 
the difference in tire characteristics may 
very well impair turning stability and that 
overall driving stability may be reduced. 
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter 
tire at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and 
can no longer supply the convenience 
functions such as seat heater*.
Start the engine (
page 44).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.
Have the battery checked at a service 
station.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
The instrument cluster display is 
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
Certain electronic systems are unable to 
relay information to the control system. 
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center (
page 259).
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about 
1/3 
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 241).