Page 6 of 416

ContentsOperation.........................................  213
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .........  214
Driving instructions ............................  216
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  216
Drinking and driving .....................  216
Pedals ..........................................  216
Power assistance .........................  217
Brakes ..........................................  217
Driving off.....................................  218
Parking .........................................  218
Tires .............................................  219
Hydroplaning ................................  220
Tire traction ..................................  220
Tire speed rating ..........................  221
Winter driving instructions ...........  221
Standing water .............................  222
Passenger compartment ..............  223
Off-road driving ............................  223
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters..................................  231
Driving abroad ..............................  232
Catalytic converter .......................  232
Emission control...........................  233
Coolant temperature ....................  233At the gas station ..............................  235
Refueling ......................................  235
Check regularly and before 
a long trip .....................................  236
Engine compartment .........................  238
Hood ............................................  238
Engine oil .....................................  239
Transmission fluid level ................  244
Coolant level ................................  244
Windshield/rear window 
washer system and headlamp 
cleaning 
system .........................................  245
Battery ...............................................  247
Tires and wheels ................................  248
Important guidelines ....................  248
Tire care and maintenance ...........  249
Direction of rotation .....................  251
Loading the vehicle ......................  251
Recommended tire inflation 
pressure .......................................  257
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  259
Tire labeling..................................  261
Load identification .......................  265DOT, Tire Identification Number 
(TIN) .............................................  266
Maximum tire load .......................  267
Maximum tire inflation pressure ..  268
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............  268
Tire ply material ...........................  270
Tire and loading terminology........  271
Rotating tires ...............................  274
Winter driving ....................................  275
Winter tires ..................................  275
Block heater (Canada only) ..........  276
Snow chains.................................  276
Maintenance......................................  277
Clearing the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  278
Maintenance service term 
exceeded .....................................  278
Calling up the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  278
Resetting the maintenance 
service indicator ..........................  279
Vehicle care.......................................  280
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ..  280 
     
        
        Page 244 of 416

244 OperationEngine compartment
Screw oil filler cap2 back on filler 
neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 374) and 
(
page 375).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need 
to be checked. The transmission has a per-
manent supply of automatic transmission 
fluid.
If you notice transmission fluid loss or gear 
shifting malfunctions, have an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center check 
the automatic transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. 
When checking the coolant level, 
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
the engine must be cool. The coolant 
level should reach the COLD LEVEL 
mark in the reservoir.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the 
engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the 
hood if there are any signs of steam or 
coolant leaking from the cooling system, 
or if the coolant temperature display in-
dicates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if coolant temperature is 
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and 
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 
1/2turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding 
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine 
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
 
     
        
        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