Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 148
One-touch gearshifting................. 149
Gear ranges ................................. 150
Gear selector lever position ......... 151
Accelerator position ..................... 153
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 153
Transfer case ..................................... 154
Gear range ................................... 154
Switching transfer case................ 154
Differential locks ............................... 156
A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 157
Switching differential locks
on and off..................................... 158
Good visibility .................................... 160
Rear view mirror........................... 160
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 162
Sun visors .................................... 162
Rear window defroster ................. 163Climate control ................................... 164
Setting the temperature................ 166
Adjusting air distribution and
volume .......................................... 167
Defrosting ..................................... 168
Air recirculation ............................ 168
Residual engine heat utilization .... 169
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 169
Air conditioning............................. 170
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 170
Power windows .................................. 171
Opening and closing the
windows ........................................ 171
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 173
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 173
Driving systems .................................. 176
Cruise control ............................... 176
Rear Parking Assist* ..................... 179Loading .............................................. 182
Roof rack ...................................... 182
Cargo compartment cover ............ 182
Enlarged cargo compartment ....... 183
Split rear seat bench .................... 183
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 185
Loading instructions ..................... 187
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 189
Useful features ................................... 190
Storage compartments ................. 190
Ashtrays........................................ 194
Cigarette lighter............................ 195
Electrical outlet............................. 196
Floormats ..................................... 196
Telephone* ................................... 197
Tele Aid......................................... 198
Garage door opener ...................... 206
Heated steering wheel .................. 211
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch
Turn signals
52
Windshield wipers
53
High beam
52
2
Headlamp cleaning system
162
3
Cruise control lever
176
4
Instrument cluster
24
5
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
6
Starter switch
35
7
Glove box
190
8
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
124,
211
9
Horn
a
Steering wheel adjustment
lever
40,
211
b
Exterior lamp switch
51,
110
c
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
41
176 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
Rear Parking Assist*, which assists
your parking maneuvers.
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP,
4-ETS and EBB driving systems, see “Driv-
ing and safety systems” (
page 80).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 23).
iThe cruise control should not be acti-
vated during-off road driving.
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
177 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last set
speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last set
speed is stored for later use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving, except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.
178 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever to position1
and hold it up until the desired speed is
reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push cruise control lever to
position4.
Cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could endanger yourself and others.
221 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km / h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.
iFor information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 275).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 273).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 276).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
224 OperationDriving instructionsRead this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:
ABS (
page 80)
ESP (
page 84)
4-ETS (
page 83)
Differential lock (
page 156)
Transfer case (
page 154)
Off-road driving rules
Engage the transfer case in position
LOW before driving under off-road con-
ditions (
page 154).
If necessary activate differential locks
(page 158).
The ABS, BAS and ESP are switched off
automatically when the differential
locks are activated.
Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 187).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you
use only the brake.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up
and cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that
full braking power may not be available in an
emergency.
iWhenever driving in off-road mode, we
recommend:
Keeping doors, tailgate, windows
and tilt/sliding sunroof closed.
Switching cruise control off.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be. Drive through wa-
ter slowly at an even speed, avoid-
ing a bow wave.
Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.
Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts.
308 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Ï
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 120).
Have the fan replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
Ñ
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one ore
more doors open.
Close the doors.
e
ENGINE AIR FILTER
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine air filter is clogged and must
be replaced.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution