Contents
Maintenance...................................... 296
Clearing the service indicator ...... 296
Service term exceeded ................ 296
Calling up the service indicator .... 297
Resetting the service indicator..... 297
Vehicle care ....................................... 298
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 298
Practical hints.................................. 305
What to do if …? ................................. 306
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 306
Lamp in center console................. 313
Messages in the display ................ 314
Where will I find...? ............................. 337
First aid kit.................................... 337
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 337
Minispare wheel............................ 340
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 343
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 343
Locking the vehicle ....................... 344
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey/ SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* ....................... 345
Fuel filler flap ................................ 347
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 347
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 348
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 348Replacing bulbs .................................. 350
Bulbs............................................. 350
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 352
Side marker lamp bulb.................. 355
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 356
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 357
Removing wiper blades ................. 357
Installing wiper blades .................. 357
Flat tire............................................... 358
Preparing the vehicle .................... 358
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 358
Battery ............................................... 363
Disconnecting the battery ............ 364
Removing the battery ................... 364
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 364
Reconnecting the battery ............. 365
Jump starting...................................... 366
Towing the vehicle.............................. 368
Towing the vehicle ........................ 368
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 370
Fuses.................................................. 372
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 372
Fuse box in engine compartment . 373
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 374
306 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 314).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator (al-
ternator) and battery checked.
315 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Anti-lock
braking system
not working!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
317 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
BAS
not available
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Cruise Con-
trol
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate!
Distronic* is switched off and is tempo-
rarily unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manual
Distronic* is switched off because the
Distronic* cover in the radiator grille is
dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radi-
ator grille (
page 301).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
318 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
not available!
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator (al-
ternator) and battery checked.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
320 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 43).
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be oper-
ating with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance is in-
creased.
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
364 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Depress parking brake firmly or move
gear selector lever to positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Open the hood (
page 281).
Remove the filter box.
Disconnect the battery negative lead.
Remove cover2 from the positive ter-
minal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the bat-
tery.
Remove the battery support and brack-
et.
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling battery
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.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
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.
406 IndexBattery, vehicle 288, 363
Charging 364
Disconnecting 364
Messages in display 320
Reconnecting 365
Reinstalling 364
Removing 364
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 397
Block heater* 295
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 342
Brake assist system (BAS) 397
Brake fluid 390
Message in display 321
Brake lamp bulbs 351
Brake lamp, high mounted 351
Brake pads
Message in display 321
Brakes 268
Warning lamp 307
Break-in period 266Bulbs, replacing 350
Additional turn signals 351
Backup lamps 351
Brake lamps 351
Fog lamps 351
Front lamps 351
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 351
High beam (Halogen) 351
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 351
High beam flasher (Halogen) 351
High mounted brake lamp 351
License plate lamps 351, 356
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 351
Low beam (Halogen) 351
Parking lamps 351, 353, 355
Rear fog lamp 351
Rear fog lamps 356
Side marker lamps 351, 355
Standing lamps 351, 353, 355
Tail lamp assemblies 351, 356
Turn signal lamps 351
Button
Audio system 186C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 398
Calling up
Distronic* settings 137
Range (distance to empty) 153
Service indicator 297
CAN system 398
Canceling
Cruise control 219
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 388
Cargo tie-down rings 243
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 196
Cassette player
Operating 136
Catalytic converter 275
CD changer* 199
CD operation 199
CD player
Operating 136