333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Always follow the recommended tire
inflation pressure (
page 322) for proper
tire inflation. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance
factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance.
1Treadwear
2Traction
3Temperature resistanceQuality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Warning!
G
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and / or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
336 OperationTires and wheelsBar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ú
±
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow engine
malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in ex-
cessive emissions values and may
switch the engine to its Limp-Home
Mode (emergency operation).
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used by
the service station to link the vehicle to the
shop diagnostics system. It allows the accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area of the
footwell next to the parking brake pedal.
A loss of pressure has been
detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or
the fuel system may be leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 302).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refuelling, start turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The Limp-Home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
445 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
Only use tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A placard with
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have sup-
plemental tire pressure information for
driving at high speeds (
page 323) or
for vehicle loads less than the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle condition. If such
information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of
the fuel filler flap. The tire inflation
pressure should be checked regularly
and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s main-
tenance recommendation included
with vehicle.
457 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow di-
rections on product label.
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine
operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
463 Technical terms
Head-thorax air bag
Installed in the driver and the front pas-
senger seat, these air bags protect oc-
cupants during side impact collisions
exceeding a preset threshold. Unlike
normal side impact air bags,
head-thorax air bags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
coolant temperature indicator and fuel
display.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 336)
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service
accordingly.
Maximum load rating
(page 337)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 337)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 337)Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or, if so equipped,
KEYLESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
481 Index
Locator lighting 124
Setting 153
Lock buttons 463
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 58
Locking 55, 94
Fuel filler flap 302
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 102
Global, SmartKey 96
Vehicle in an emergency 398
Loss of Service and
Warranty Information Booklet 441
Loss of SmartKey 98
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 105
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 384
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 414
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 414, 416
Lowering
Roll bar manually 402
Vehicle 426
Lubricants
Technical data 453
Luggage cover 245
Folding back 245, 264
Latch 245M
Main dimensions 451
Maintenance 12, 342
Maintenance service 342
Basic service (Service A) 342
Calling up the
maintenance service indicator 343
Extended service (Service B) 342
Overdue 343
Types 342
When due 342
Maintenance service indicator 342
Calling up 343
Clearing 343
Resetting 344
Maintenance service system 342
Maintenance system (U.S. vehicles) 463
Malfunction
Displaying 141
Vehicle status
message memory 141, 363
Manual headlamp mode 123Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 399
Interior lighting control 129
Locking the vehicle 398
Roll bar 401
Soft top 403
Unlocking gear selector lever 400
Unlocking the driver’s door 397
Manual shift program 173
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 195
Maximum inflation pressure 337
Maximum load rating 337
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 337
Mechanical key 397
Memory function 119, 463
Recalling
positions from memory 120
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking positions 121
Storing key-dependent settings 120
486 IndexRear seat head restraints
Lowering with lower switch 115
Raising 115
Rear seats
Rear seat head restraints 114
Rear side-impact air bags 67
Rear view mirror auto-dimming 176
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Blocking operation 82
Rear window defroster 179
Activating 179
Deactivating 179
Recommended inflation pressure 337
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 429
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 456
Refueling 302
Regular checks 304
Reinstalling
Ashtray (Center console) 273
Reinstalling vehicle battery 428Remote control
SmartKey 94, 99
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 98
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid 283
Removing
Ashtray (Center console) 273
Floormates* 275
Minispare wheel 394
Ski sack* 267
Vehicle battery 428
Vehicle tool kit 391
Wheel 424
Wind screen 254
Wiper blades 421Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 420
Batteries (SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*) 413
Batteries (SmartKey) 412
Brake lamp bulbs 420
Bulbs 414
Front lamp bulbs 416
Front turn signal bulbs (Halogen) 417
Fuses 436
High beam bulbs (Halogen) 416
High beam bulbs for
high beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 418
License plate lamp bulbs 420
Low beam bulbs (Halogen) 416
Parking lamp bulbs 417, 419
Rear fog lamp bulb 420
Rear lamp bulbs 415, 420
Rear turn signal bulbs 420
Side marker lamp bulbs 419
Standing lamp bulbs 417, 419
Wiper blades 421
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset button
in the instrument cluster 143