250 OperationAt the gas station
Open fuel filler flap by pushing at the
point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap to the left and hold on to
it until possible pressure is released.
Take off cap and set it in the recess on
fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Replace fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when fuel cap is
tightened.
Close fuel filler flap.Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by
a label reading Premium gasoline or
E85 only! on fuel filler flap.
For more information, see “Flexible
Fuel Vehicles” (
page 354).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the? malfunc-
tion indicator lamp to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 276).
265 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times/mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following
messages will appear in the multifunction
display while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):SERVICE A IN XX DAYS
SERVICE A IN XX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of service due is indicated in the
multifunction display:
9Minor service (A)
´Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared
after ten seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the
service threshold while driving
after 30 seconds, once the suggested
service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.
Press the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 22).
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
service term, you will see the following
message in the multifunction display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX MI (KM)An acoustic signal will also sound.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
266 OperationMaintenanceThe Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control
system appears (
page 113).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator appears in the multifunction
display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your
vehicle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control
system appears (
page 113).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator appears in the multifunction
display.
Press reset button for about three
seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:SERVICE INTERVAL?
RESET WITH R BUTTON FOR 3 SEC.
To confirm, press reset button until you
hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service
deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
service indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator:.
iIf the service indicator was
inadvertently reset, have a
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next
service interval which will result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
276 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the
parking brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.
After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
362 Technical termsCOMAND*
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other
optional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for
automatically maintaining the vehicle
speed set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine
produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction
(viscosity) of the oil at different temper-
atures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can
tolerate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and
directional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the
system's threshold to tighten the
seat belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service
is due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special
receivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
371 Index
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 361
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 313
Block heater 264
Blocking
Rear door window operation 70
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 304
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 352
Checking 251
Message in display 286
Brake lamp bulbs 311
Brake lamp, high mounted 311
Brake pads
Message in display 286
Brakes 240
Warning lamp 275
Break-in period 238Bulbs, replacing 310
Additional turn signals 310
Backup lamps 311
Brake lamps 311
Fog lamps 310
Front lamps 310
High beam 310
High beam flasher 310
High mounted brake lamp 311
License plate lamps 311, 315
Low beam 310
Parking lamps 310, 311, 313, 314
Rear fog lamp 311, 315
Rear lamps 311
Side marker lamps 310, 314
Standing lamps 310, 311, 313, 314
Tail lamp assemblies 311, 315
Turn signal lamps 310, 311
Button
Audio system 176C
CAC 361
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 138
Service indicator 266
CAN system 361
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 349
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 186
Cassette player
Operating 121
Catalytic converter 247
CD changer* 189
CD player*
Operating 120
CD* operation 189
375 Index
Defrosting
Automatic climate control* 167
Climate control 158
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 131
Interior lighting 132
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 140
Difficulties
While driving
see Problems while driving
With starting 44
Digital speedometer 118
Direction of rotation (tires) 261
Discharged battery
Jump starting 326
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 324
Display
Messages in display 290
Display elements
Audio system 174Displays
Digital speedometer 118
Messages 280
Selecting 129
Service indicator 265
Showing malfunctions 122
Symbol messages 284
Text messages 281
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 138
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 108
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 230
Doors
Message in display 290
Opening from inside vehicle 85
Opening from the outside 83
Downhill driving
Cruise control 207Downshifting
Automatic transmission* 143
Manual transmission 141
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 239
Driving
Driving abroad 246
General instructions 40, 239
Hydroplaning 242
In winter 244
Problems 49
Safety systems 72
Through standing water 245
Driving abroad 246
Driving instructions 239
Driving off 241
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 77
ABS 72
BAS 73
ESP 74
Driving systems 206
Cruise control 206
Driving safety systems 72