Page 164 of 314
164 OperationDriving instructions
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.The tread wear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire pressures must be main-
tained. This applies particularly if the tires
are subject to high loads (e.g. high speeds,
heavy loads, high ambient temperatures).
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission: first or reverse gear).
In addition, when parking on hills, turn
front wheel towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer for re-
pairs.
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the tread wear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Page 171 of 314
171 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
Refueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the remote control automatically
locks/unlocks the fuel filler flap.
Fuel filler flap
Remove the key from the steering lock.
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.
Take off the cap and set it in the recess
on the fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
Failure to remove the cap slowly could result
in personal injury.
iUse only premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Page 194 of 314
194 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax should be applied to the engine
compartment after every engine cleaning.
Before applying, all control linkage bush-
ings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be pro-
tected from any wax. Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Use only 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, side makers, tail lamps,
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 use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.
Page 199 of 314
199 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 212 of 314
212 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is located on the left side of
the trunk.
1First aid kit
Loosen the fastening strap.
Remove first aid kit1.
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack
The following is included:
Towing eye bolt
Wheel wrench
Alignment bolt
Wheel bolts
Special fuse puller
Vehicle jack
Vehicle jackThe jack is exclusively designed for lifting
the vehicle during a wheel change. Always
lower the vehicle on sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack tubes built into ei-
ther side of the vehicle. To help avoid per-
sonal injury, use the jack only to lift the
vehicle during a wheel change. Never get
beneath the vehicle while it is supported by
the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the
area under the lifted vehicle.
Always firmly set parking brake and block
wheels before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower
the vehicle onto sufficient capacity jack-
stands before working under the vehicle.
Page 220 of 314
220 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyManually unlocking the transmission selector lever
In the case of power failure, the transmis-
sion selector lever can be manually un-
locked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
1Pin
Insert a pin1, e.g. ball point pen, into
the covered opening below positionD
of the shift pattern.
Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Push pin1 down.
Move selector lever from
positionP.
Remove pin1.
The cover returns to its closed position
after moving the selector lever to
positionsD+ andD-.iThe selector lever is locked again when
moving it to positionP.
Page 229 of 314
229 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking, standing and turn signal lamp
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 174).
1Release opening
Insert the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit into release opening1.
Press the top of the screwdriver toward
the middle of the vehicle and toward
the rear.
The turn signal lamp will be lifted out.
Pull the turn signal lamp slightly out of
its mounting.
Pull off the electrical connector from
the turn signal lamp.
Take the turn signal lamp completely
out of its mounting.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.
Plug electrical connector back into the
turn signal lamp.2Guides
3Tabs
Slide the turn signal lamp with tabs3
into guides2 and press it toward the
rear into the mounting until it engages.
Page 230 of 314
230 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSide marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Carefully slide lamp towards front.
Remove rear end first.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Brake lamp
2Turn signal lamp
3Tail, parking and standing lamp, side
marker
4Backup lamp
5Rear fog lamp (driver’s side)
Switch off the lights.
Open trunk lid (
page 78).
Remove cover in right side panel.
Remove first aid kit (
page 212).
Remove cover in left side panel.
Turn bulb socket counterclockwise and
pull out.
Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
turn clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and turn
clockwise.
Close cover.
