Page 49 of 376
49 Getting started
Driving
Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Interval wiping on/off
2Indicator lamp
3Simultaneous operation of wiper and
washer
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
Interval wiping
Switching on
Press upper half1 of the switch.
The indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching off
Press upper half1 of the switch
again.
The indicator lamp2 goes out.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press and hold lower half3 of the
switch.
The wiper operates with washer fluid.
The rear window will be wiped for ap-
proximately another five seconds after
the switch is released.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 234).
iThe rear window wiper will also auto-
matically engage if
the windshield wipers are engaged
the gear selector lever is placed
inR “Reverse”
Page 50 of 376

50 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool down.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 232).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount
Start the engine in the usual manner.
iExcessive coolant temperatures trigger
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 269).
Page 51 of 376

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Lever
2Button
Pull lever1 up as many notches as
possible.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.
Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Page 52 of 376

52 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 46).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (page 104).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP.
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the road curb. iThe SmartKey can only be pulled out
when:
it has been turned to position0 in
the starter switch
the gear selector lever for the auto-
matic transmission is in positionP
you are not depressing the brake
pedal
Page 53 of 376

53 Getting started
Parking and locking
Press the seat belt release button3
(page 41).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 32).
The locking knobs on the doors move
down.For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 86).
!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicles exterior lamps are not
switched off.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, ensure there is no pos-
sibility of someone getting caught in a door
during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Page 54 of 376
Page 55 of 376
55 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Panic alarm
Driving and safety systems
Anti-theft systems
Page 56 of 376

56 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
In this section you will learn the most im-
portant facts about the restraint systems
of the vehicle.
Occupant safety
The restraint systems are
Seat belts
Emergency tensioning device
Airbags
Child seats
Child seat recognition
Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH)
As independent systems, their protective
effects work in conjunction with each oth-
er.The 1indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 25) comes on:
for about four seconds when you turn
the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1.
for about four seconds when you start
the engine by turning the SmartKey.
The 1indicator lamp goes out shortly
after you start the engine. This shows that
the restraint systems are operational.
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and re-
straint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 65).
iThe 1indicator lamp remains lit if
the SmartKey is turned to position2
and left there. The indicator lamp will
go out when you start the engine.