Page 6 of 400

ContentsOperation.........................................  237
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) .........  238
Driving instructions ............................  239
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  239
Drinking and driving .....................  239
Pedals ..........................................  239
Power assistance .........................  239
Brakes ..........................................  240
Driving off.....................................  241
Parking .........................................  241
Tires .............................................  242
Hydroplaning ................................  242
Tire traction ..................................  243
Tire speed rating ..........................  243
Winter driving instructions ...........  244
Standing water .............................  245
Passenger compartment ..............  245
Driving abroad ..............................  245
Control and operation of radio 
transmitter ...................................  246
Catalytic converter .......................  246
Emission control...........................  247
Coolant temperature ....................  248At the gas station ..............................  249
Refueling ......................................  249
Check regularly and before 
a long trip .....................................  251
Engine compartment .........................  252
Hood ............................................  252
Engine oil .....................................  254
Transmission fluid level ................  256
Coolant level ................................  257
Battery .........................................  258
Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system* .........  259
Tires and wheels ................................  260
Important guidelines ....................  260
Life of tire.....................................  261
Direction of rotation .....................  261
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  261
Rotating wheels ...........................  262Winter driving ....................................  263
Winter tires ..................................  263
Block heater (Canada only) ..........  264
Snow chains.................................  264
Maintenance......................................  265
Clearing the service indicator ......  265
Service term exceeded ................  265
Calling up the service indicator ....  266
Resetting the service indicator ....  266
Vehicle care.......................................  267
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ..  267 
     
        
        Page 265 of 400

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. 
     
        
        Page 266 of 400

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 111).
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 111).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS 
indicator appears in the multifunction 
display.
Press the 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.