
331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

346 OperationVehicle careTar 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.).Engine 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
exterior rear view 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 vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.
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 approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inad-
vertently locked or unlocked.

465 Index
A
ABS 87, 459
ABS control 87
Malfunction indicator lamp 352
Messages in display 364
Warning lamp 352
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 189
Accessory weight 332
Accident
In case of 55
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 206, 218
Air recirculation mode 204, 216
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Automatic climate control
(4-zone*) 213
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 201
Central locking (control system) 174
Climate control 198, 199
Defrosting 203, 215
Distance warning function* 241
Distronic* 237
Easy-entry/exit feature* 175
ESP 92Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 142
Fog lamps 144
Hazard warning flasher 146
Headlamps 51
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 57, 97
Rear window defroster 195
Residual heat 207, 219
Seat heater* 132
Tow-away alarm 99
Windshield wipers 52
Activating intermitted wipe 54
Activating intermittent wipe 54
Adding
Engine oil 302
Additional turn signal 411
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 219
Adjusting 38
Air distribution 214
Air volume 202, 215
Backrest tilt 39
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 130Exterior rear view mirror 42
Head restraint height 40, 128
Head restraint tilt 40
Instrument cluster illumination 150
Interior rear view mirror 42
Mirrors 41
Rear head restraints 129
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 39
Seat height 39
Seats 38
Steering column height 41
Steering wheel 40
Adjusting seat backrest position 249
Adjusting steering column in or out 41
Adjusting steering column up or down 41
Adjusting the dynamic seat 177
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 206, 218
Turning on 206, 218
Air distribution
Adjusting 201, 214
Air pressure 332
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 318

466 IndexAir recirculation mode 204, 216
Activating 204, 216
Deactivating 205, 217
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 219
Air volume
Adjusting 202, 215
Airbags 63
Children 64
Front 67
Passenger 67
Safety guidelines 66
Side impact 68
Window curtain 68
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* 244
Alarm
Audible 86, 99
Canceling 99
Visual 98
Alarm system
Anti-theft 98
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 403,
421, 459
Ambient lighting 149
Antilock brake system (ABS) 459Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 98
Canceling alarm 99
Disarming 98
Anti-theft systems 97
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Immobilizer 97
Tow-away alarm 99
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 289
Ashtray 265
Aspect ratio 332
At the gas station 296
AUDIO menu 158
Selecting radio station 158
Selecting satellite radio* station 159
Audio system
CD mode 159
Auto-dimming mirror 191
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 174
Automatic climate control (4-zone*) 208
Adjusting air distribution 214
Adjusting air volume 215
Air conditioning 218
Air recirculation mode 216Deactivating 213
Defrosting 215
Residual heat utilization 219
Residual ventilation 219
Setting the temperature 214
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 196
Adjusting air distribution 201
Adjusting air volume 202
Air conditioning 206
Air recirculation mode 204
Deactivating 201
Defrosting 203
Residual heat utilization 207
Residual ventilation 207
Setting the temperature 201
Automatic headlamp mode 142
Automatic lighting control
Activating 147
Deactivating 147
Automatic locking when driving 122

469 Index
Control system 153, 460
AUDIO menu 158
Convenience submenu 175
Display digital speedometer 158
Distronic* menu 160
Functions 157
Instrument cluster submenu 165,
167
Lighting submenu 170
Menus 156, 157
Multifunction display 153
Multifunction steering wheel 154
Selecting radio system 158
Selecting satellite radio* system 159
Settings menu 162
Standard display menu 158
Submenus 155, 157
TEL* menu 179
Trip computer menu 178
Vehicle status message memory
menu 161
Vehicle submenu 174
Convenience submenu 175
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 175Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 176
Setting SmartKey-dependency 176
Coolant
Adding water 298
Checking level 303
Messages in display 378, 379, 380
Warning lamp 356
Coolant temperature 295
Cruise control 228, 460
Canceling 230
Driving downhill 229
Driving uphill 229
Fine adjustment 231
Lever 236
Saving current speed 229
Setting speeds 231
Cruise control lever 228
Cup holder in the center console 262,
264
Cup holders 262
Curb weight 333
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 459D
Daytime running lamp mode 143
Setting 170
Deactivating 213
Air conditioning (cooling) 206
Air recirculation mode 205, 217
Alarm 98
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Automatic climate control
(Dual-zone) 201
Central locking (control system) 174
Climate control 198, 199
Cruise control 230
Defrosting 203, 216
Distance warning function* 241
Distronic* 239
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 91
Exterior lamps 142
Hazard warning flasher 146
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 97
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 173
Rear window defroster 195

471 Index
Doors
Message in display 381
Opening from inside vehicle 114
Opening from outside 110
DOT 333, 460
Downhill driving
Cruise control 229
Downshifting 185
Drive-dynamic seat* with multicontour
features 130
Driving
General instructions 44
Hydroplaning 289
In winter 291
Problems 55
Safety systems 87
With Distronic* 241
Driving hints
SBC brake system 95
Driving instructions 285
Driving off 288
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 95
ABS 87
BAS 89
ESP 89, 460SBC brake system 92
Driving systems 228
Airmatic DC* 244
Cruise control 228
Distronic* 232
Driving safety systems 87
Vehicle level control 245
DTR see Distronic* 460
Dual control*
Airmatic DC* 244
Dual-zone automatic climate control 196
E
Easy-entry/exit
Message in display 376
Easy-entry/exit feature* 124
Activating 175
Interrupting movement 124, 175
Electrical fuses 434
Electrical system 447
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 89,
460
Emergency call system* 270
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 272
With Tele Aid* 271Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 190
Emergency operations
Opening/closing Sliding/pop-up
roof* 407
Remote door unlock 276
Unlocking the vehicle 404
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 72, 460
Emission control 294
Ending
A call (telephone) 181
Engine 442
Compartment 299
Message in the display 355, 378
Starting 47
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 48, 54
Starting with the SmartKey 47
Turning off the engine with the
SmartKey 57
Engine compartment
Hood 299
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 355,
378
Engine number 460

472 IndexEngine oil
Adding 302
Checking level 300
Consumption 300
Display messages 382
Messages in display 301
Viscosity 460
ESP 89, 460
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 95
Switching off 91
Switching on 92
Synchronizing 367
Warning lamp 353
ETD 460
Safety guidelines 66
Exterior lamp switch 141
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 42
Parking position for 176
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 165
Fastening the seat belts 44
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 231First aid kit 401
Flat tire 418
Mounting the spare wheel 419
Spare wheel 419
Flexible Service System (FSS) 461
Floormats 268
Fog lamp, rear 145
Fog lamps
Switching on 144
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 386
Switching on 144
Folding back folding bench seat 136
Folding bench seat in cargo
compartment 134
Folding head restraints back 127
Following distance in Distronic* 239
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 95
4MATIC 95
4-zone automatic climate control* 208
Front airbags 67
Front doors
Opening from inside vehicle 115
Front fog lamp
Replacing bulb 411Front interior lighting 148
Front lamps 411
Messages in display 387
Replacing bulbs 413
Switching on 141
Front reading lamps
Switching on/off 148
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 126
Removing and installing 126
Front seats
Heater* 132
FSS (Flexible Service System) 461
Fuel 297
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 357
Premium unleaded gasoline 297
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 178
Since last reset 178
Fuel filler flap 296
Locking 296
Unlocking 296
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 385
Fuel tank
Filler flap 296