Page 168 of 416

168 Controls in detailClimate controlDefrosting
Activating
Press button P.
The indicator lamp in the button illumi-
nates.
The climate control automatically
switches to the following functions:
maximum blower and heat output
air distribution to the windshield
and the side windows
rear ventilation is turned off
Deactivating
Press the P button.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button O briefly.
The indicator lamp in the button illumi-
nates.Deactivating
Press button O briefly.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:
after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above about 41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the outside tempera-
ture is below about 41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if economy mode
AC
OFF
is selected
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
If you have turned off the air condition-
er or the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode
will not switch on automatically.
Page 169 of 416
169 Controls in detail
Climate control
Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for a short while, depending on the temper-
ature setting of the climate control.
Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in starter switch to
position1 or0 or remove it from the
starter switch.
Press button °.
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Set the left and right temperature to
your personal requirements.Deactivating
Press button ° again to switch off.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:
when the SmartKey in starter switch is
turned to position2
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage dropsDeactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Set the air volume control switch to
position0.
Reactivating
Set the air volume control switch to any
speed.
Page 170 of 416

170 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button°.
The indicator lamp on the button°
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air conditioner.
Press button° again.
The indicator lamp on the button°
goes out.
The air conditioner uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents
1Air volume control for center air vents
2Left center air vent, adjustable
3Right center air vent, adjustable
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the° button on the climate con-
trol panel starts to blink, this indicates
that the air conditioner is losing refrig-
erant. The compressor has turned itself
off. The air conditioner cannot be
turned on again.
Have the air conditioner checked at
the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Page 227 of 416

227 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving downhill
Select gear range1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 150).
Drive downhill observing the same
rules as driving uphill (
page 226).Driving through water
119 in (48 cm)
Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.
It should not be deeper than approxi-
mately 19 in (48 cm).
Make sure you check the water bed.
The ground surface may not be firm
which may result in deeper waters than
expected when driving the vehicle
through it.
Comply with the warnings
(page 223) and rules for off-road
driving (
page 224).
Switch off the exterior lamps as well as
the climate control.
Select gear range2 or1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
page 150).
Enter the water only at a shallow spot,
driving at walking speed.
!Only apply the service brake if the vehi-
cle is traveling straight downhill, i.e. in
the line of gravity.iThe special LOW RANGE – ABS setting
allows for precise and brief (cyclical)
blocking of the front wheels, permitting
them to dig into loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the
front wheels slide across a surface and
thus lose their ability to steer the vehi-
cle.
!Never accelerate before driving into
the water. The bow wave could force
water into the engine and auxiliary
equipment, thus damaging them.
Page 269 of 416

269 Operation
Tires and wheels
Quality 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.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.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
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.
Page 388 of 416

388 IndexAlarm system
Anti-theft 88
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 379
Antilock brake system (ABS) 381
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 88
Canceling alarm 89
Disarming 89
Anti-theft systems 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Tow-away alarm 89
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment below 191
Storage compartment in front of 191
Ashtrays 194
Aspect ratio 271
At the gas station 235
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 244
AUDIO menu 128
Selecting radio station 129
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 160
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 141Automatic climate control
Deactivating 170
Automatic headlamp mode 111
Automatic locking when driving 98
Automatic transmission 148
Accelerator position 153
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 153
Fluid level 244
Gear ranges 150
Gear selector lever position 148, 151
Gear shifting malfunctions 153
Kickdown 153
Manual shifting 149
One-touch gearshifting 149
Transmission fluid 244B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 74, 381
Compatible child seats 74, 381
Self-test 75
Backup lamps 334
Bulbs 334
Replacing bulbs 342
Bar 271
BAS 80, 82, 381
Messages in display 298
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 331
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Battery box
Fuse box in 360
Battery discharged
Jump starting 354
Battery, vehicle 247, 351
Charging 351
Disconnecting 352
Messages in display 302, 303
Reconnecting 353
Page 390 of 416

390 IndexCentigrade
Setting temperature units 135
Central locking
From inside 99
Switch 99
Switching on/off (control
system) 141
Unlocking from inside 99
Certification label 366
Changing
Key setting 142
Charging
Vehicle battery 351
Checking
Coolant level 237, 244
Oil level 237, 239
Checklist
Off-road driving 225
Child safety 72
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
68, 72
LATCH child seat anchors 77
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter 195Cleaning
Cup holders 284
Gear selector lever 284
Hard plastic trim items 284
Headlamps 162
Headliner 284
Illuminated door sill panels 285
Instrument cluster 284
Leather upholstery 285
Light alloy wheels 284
MB Tex upholstery 285
Plastic and rubber parts 285
Rear Parking Assist sensors* 283
Seat belts 284
Steering wheel 284
Windows 283
Windshield 54
Wiper blades 283
Wood trims 285
Cleaning tires 250
Climate control 164
Adjusting 167
Defogging windshield 167
Defrosting 168
Rear window defroster 163
Setting the temperature 166Clock 25
Closing
Glove box 190
Hood 239
Side windows 171
Tailgate 98
Tilt/sliding sunroof 173, 328
Tilt/sliding sunroof with
SmartKey 175
Windows 171
Windows with SmartKey 172
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof
In an emergency 328
Cockpit 22, 381
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 382
Cold tire inflation pressure 271
COMAND 382
COMAND see separate operating
instructions
Combination switch 23, 114
High beam flasher 52, 114
High beam headlamps 114
Turn signals 52
Windshield wipers 53