Page 261 of 418

260OperationEngine compartment
Engine compartmentHood
Opening
The hood lock release lever is located in 
the driver’s footwell to the left of the park-
ing brake pedal.
1Release lever
Pull release lever 1 in direction of ar-
row.
The hood is unlocked and handle 2 
will extend out of the radiator grille.
2Handle for opening the hood
Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radiator 
grille.
Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on 
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held 
open at shoulder height.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could 
be forced open by passing air flow. 
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the 
wiper arms are folded forward away 
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts when the hood is open and the 
engine is running. Make sure the hood is 
properly closed before driving. When closing 
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch 
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay 
clear of fan blades. 
     
        
        Page 303 of 418

302 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL INTERFER-
ENCE
REACTIVATE!
Distronic* is switched off and is temporarily 
unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
CURRENTLY UNAVAIL-
ABLE
SEE OPER. MANUAL
Distronic* is switched off because the Dis-
tronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator 
grille (
page 287).
Restart the vehicle.
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display 
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
P
SHIFT
TO P
You have tried to turn off the engine with 
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button with 
the gear selector lever not inP.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and 
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the 
risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the 
risk of an accident. 
     
        
        Page 354 of 418

353 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 position0.
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 84) and the automatic central 
locking (
page 153).
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 position0 
or1). 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 selector lever must 
be in positionN and the SmartKey 
must be in starter switch position2. 
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).