Page 290 of 376

290 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyChanging batteries in the SmartKey
If the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.1
Mechanical key
2 Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove mechanical key 1
(page 288).
Insert mechanical key 1 in side open-
ing and push grey slide.
The battery compartment is unlatched.
Pull the battery compartment out of the
key housing in direction of arrow.
3 Battery
4 Contact spring
Remove the batteries.
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Page 291 of 376

291
Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks in place.
Slide mechanical key
1 back into the
SmartKey.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
Open the trunk lid.
Fold right-side tail lamp trim aside.
Reach inside through opening 2.
Turn release knob 1 clockwise (ar-
row).
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
Manually unlocking the gear selector
lever
In the case of power failure the gear selec-
tor lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to
tow the vehicle.
1 Coin holder
2 Tool
Open the storage compartment in front
of the center armrest.
Release coin holder 1 (e.g. using a
small coin).
Swing coin holder 1 aside.
Insert a tool 2 (e.g. flat blade screw-
driver) into the opening.
Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Push the tool down.
Move gear selector lever from
position P.
Reinstall the coin holder after removing
the tool from the opening.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
iThe gear selector lever is locked again
when moving it to position P.
Page 300 of 376

300 Practical hintsReplacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper bladesRemoving
Fold the wiper arm forward.
1 Lock
2 Unlock
Pull the tab in the direction of arrow 2
and remove windshield wiper.
Installing
Slide the wiper blade into the cutout on
the wiper arm.
Slide the tab back in the direction of
arrow 1 until it audibly engages.
Fold the wiper arm back to rest on the
windshield.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from
starter switch before replacing a wiper
blade, otherwise the motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Hold onto the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 305 of 376

305
Practical hints
Flat tire
Open flap
1 on air pump.
Pull out electrical plug 4 and air hose
with the pressure gauge 2.
Observe instructions on air pump label.
Remove the valve cap from valve.
Screw the air hose 2 on to the tire
valve.
Insert electrical plug 4 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.
To switch on the air pump turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1 (
page 31).
Operate air pump until the pressure
gauge displays 36 psi (2.5 bar)
This takes about five minutes for the
space tire. The air hose 2 and the
union nut 3 can become hot during in-
flation.
To switch off the air pump turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 (
page 31).
If the tire pressure is above 36 psi
(2.5 bar), release excess tire pressure
using the vent screw.
Detach the electric air pump.
Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than eight minutes without in-
terruption. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinfalted tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the driver’s door latch
post). Overloading the tires can overheat
them, possibly causing a blowout.
Page 307 of 376

307
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 clamps 1.
Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with the three clamps 1.
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 SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely 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 308 of 376

308 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Open the hood (
page 236).
Remove the filter box (
page 307).
Disconnect the battery negative lead.
Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the batteries
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling batteries
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the batteries
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.
Connect the negative lead.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 307).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position
P
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
Page 313 of 376

313
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing. When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position
0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 79) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 129).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Page 314 of 376

314 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position 2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.