Page 300 of 464

300 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 416).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and the ESP in win-
ter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 303 of 464

303 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 129).
Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until FSS indi-
cator with the service symbol 9 or
´ and the service deadline appears
in the multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle 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 sys-
tem appears (
page 129).
Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator with the service symbol 9
or ´ and the service deadline ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Press reset button to the left in the in-
strument cluster for about three sec-
onds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:Service interval...
To reset:
Press reset button
for 3 seconds
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 dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator :.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly 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 ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 311 of 464
311 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses
Page 312 of 464

312 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 indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
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 320).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and 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.
Page 324 of 464

324 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 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).
Page 326 of 464
326 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
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.
Page 334 of 464

334 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 284).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 288).
I
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.
Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
Replace key!
No additional code available for SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Key
Check battery!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.
Change the batteries (
page 350).
Key
not recognized!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not
recognized while the engine is running be-
cause
the SmartKey is not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started
again after the engine has been stopped.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey
in the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey
in the starter switch if necessary.
Keyless Go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Page 341 of 464

341 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
L
defective
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid system are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tele Aid battery
Visit workshop!
The emergency power battery for the Tele
Aid system is malfunctioning. If the vehi-
cle battery is also dead, Tele Aid will not
be operational.
Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
_
Steering oil
Visit workshop!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.
Have the system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.