228 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Lower hood and let it drop into lock
from a height of approximately 0.7 ft
(20 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage,
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.!Do not push the hood closed manually,
as this could damage it.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
229 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must
be parked on level ground
be at normal operating temperature
have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2.
The standard display (
page 115) should
appear in the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message is seen in the multifunction
display:MEASURE. CORRECT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVELAfter about three seconds this
message is displayed:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOWOne of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the indicator:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK
ADD 1.0 Qt. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)
ADD 1.5 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)
ADD 2.0 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 231).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 333) and
(
page 334).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2
in the starter switch, the following
message will appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH ON IGNITION!
Switch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
230 OperationEngine compartment
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.
If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 271). Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must
be parked on level ground
be at normal operating temperature
have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.iPerform the engine oil level check with
the dipstick if it cannot be completed
with the control system (
page 230).
In this case we recommend that you
have the system checked at a
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument
cluster (
page 229). The amount of
engine oil needed is shown more
precisely in the multifunction display.
231 Operation
Engine compartment
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 227).
Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 232)
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 231).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 333) and
(
page 334).
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 271). Adding engine oil
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils. For a
listing of approved engine oils, refer to
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification (e.g. MB
229.5). If such information is printed
on the oil filler cap, only use an engine
oil from the list of approved engine oils
in the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet that meets the specifi-
cation indicated on the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
r e s u l t i n e n g i n e d a m a g e n o t c o v e r e d b y
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
232 OperationEngine compartment1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
Unscrew oil filler cap2 from filler
neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw oil filler cap2 back on filler
neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 333) and
(
page 334).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. The transmission has a per-
manent supply of automatic transmission
fluid.
If you notice transmission fluid loss or gear
shifting malfunctions, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center check
the automatic transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
the engine must be cool. The coolant
level should reach the COLD LEVEL
mark in the reservoir.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
243 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 115).
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 vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, you
can reset the service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 115).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator appears in the multifunction
display.
Press the reset button (
page 25) for
about three seconds.
This message appears in the tachome-
ter:
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 vehicle battery is disconnected,
the days of disconnection will not be in-
cluded in the count shown by the ser-
vice indicator. To arrive at the true
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract 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 inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck 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 Mer-
cedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
271 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the
ADD 1.0 QT. ENG. OIL
-
WHEN
NEXT REFUELLING!
(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)
message appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ñ
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
e
ENGINE AIR FILTER
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine filter is clogged and must be
replaced.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as
possible.
:
USA only:ADD 1.0 Qt. ENGINE OIL
WHEN NEXT REFUELING!Canada only:ADD 1.0 LITER ENG. OIL
WHEN NEXT REFUELING!
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 231) and check
the engine oil level (
page 229).
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in se-
rious engine damage that is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
!
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Have oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 231) and check
the engine oil level (
page 229).
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
It may be that there is water in the engine
oil.
Have the oil checked.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.
Check the engine oil level
(page 229) and add oil as required
(page 231).
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.