Page 299 of 440

299 Operation
Vehicle care
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care prod-
ucts.
Additional information can be found in the
booklet “Vehicle Care Guide“.Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe the manufac-
turer’s operating instructions.Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approx. 3 ft (approx. 1 m), the
vehicle could be inadvertently locked
or unlocked. !Never use a round nozzle to
power-wash tires. The intense jet of
water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface. Do not aim directly
at electrical parts, electrical connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.
Page 300 of 440

300 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should
be protected from any wax. Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in out-
side mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approx. 3 ft (approx. 1 m), the
vehicle could be inadvertently locked
or unlocked.
Page 314 of 440

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 138) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 126).
Other high priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset but-
ton and are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 138).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pe ar i n the di spl ay . High pr iori ty m es sa ge s
appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or result
in property damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in starter switch
to position2, or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button twice
to position2 causes all lamps as well
as the multifunction display to come
on. Ensure that they are all in working
order before starting your journey.
Page 319 of 440
319 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
P
Selector lever
in park position
You have turned off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in gear
selector lever positionN and opened the
driver’s door.
or
You have attempted to switch off the en-
gine with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Please move
selector lever to P
or N
You have attempted to start the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
while the gear selector lever was in
positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP or N.
Page 328 of 440

328 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 278).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 282).
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 345).
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.
Page 329 of 440

329 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
I
Key recognized
in vehicle
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.
Take the SmartKey out of the vehicle.
Keyless Go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Key
do not forget key
This display appears (for a maximum of
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened
with the engine shut off and no SmartKey
in the starter switch.
Message is only a reminder.
Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.
Take the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you when leaving
the vehicle.
.
3rd stop lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Back- up lamp, left
The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Back- up lamp, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Display defective!
Visit workshop!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Page 343 of 440
343 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the
driver’s door and the trunk using the me-
chanical key.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 in direction of ar-
row and slide the mechanical key2
out of the housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocking
2Locking
Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:
Press button Œ or ‹ on the
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*
Pull the outside door handle.
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 33).
Page 345 of 440

345 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Changing batteries in the SmartKey/ SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
If the batteries in the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.SmartKey
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove mechanical key1
(page 343).
Insert the mechanical key in side open-
ing and push gray slide.
The battery compartment is unlatched.
Pull the battery compartment out of the
SmartKey housing in direction of ar-
row.
Remove the batteries.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.