Page 303 of 376

303 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side.
Removal of filter box:
Release the three clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with the three clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting, 
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running 
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely 
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further 
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as 
this could result in a short circuit. 
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk 
of acid burns in the event of an accident. 
     
        
        Page 306 of 376

306 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can 
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed 
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is 
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the 
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump 
starting with a more powerful battery 
could damage the vehicle’s electrical 
system, which will not be covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient 
cross-section and insulated terminal 
clamps.
Always make sure that the jumper 
cables are not on or near pulleys, fans, 
or other parts that move when an 
engine is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause 
damage to the electronic components, and 
can lead to a battery explosion and severe 
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting 
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking etc.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed 
on the battery installed in the engine 
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine 
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several 
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by 
repeated failed starting attempts may 
damage the catalytic converter and 
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not 
touch any other metal part while the 
other end is still attached to a battery. 
     
        
        Page 307 of 376

307 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine 
compartment on the right hand side. The 
terminals for jump starting are located in 
front of the battery.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not 
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of 
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front 
of discharged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the 
charged battery with the under hood 
terminal2 in front of the discharged 
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp 
cable to charged battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the 
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal3 of the 
charged battery with the under hood 
terminal4 of the discharged battery 
with the jumper cables. Clamp cable to 
charged battery3 first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical 
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under 
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from 
negative terminals3 and4 and then 
from positive terminals1 and2.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery. 
Do not smoke. 
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries 
(page 240).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission 
and/or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 310 of 376

310 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no 
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to 
keep in mind that a considerably higher 
degree of effort is necessary to brake and 
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels 
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking 
activated and the key in starter switch 
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the 
left front wheel as well as the right rear 
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of 
approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm 
(page 80).
To prevent the vehicle doors from 
locking, deactivate the automatic 
central locking (
page 129).
Towing of the vehicle should only be 
done using the properly installed 
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow 
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle 
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or 
discharged
the key will not turn in the starter 
switch. See notes on the battery 
(page 240) or on jump starting 
(page 306).
the selector lever will remain 
locked in positionP. See notes on 
manual unlocking of gear selector 
lever (
page 288).