Page 7 of 474

ContentsLoading ..............................................  250
Roof rack* ....................................  250
Ski sack* (Canada only) ...............  250
Split rear bench seat* ..................  253
Loading instructions .....................  255
Cargo tie-down rings* ..................  256
Useful features ..................................  257
Storage compartments.................  257
Cup holders ..................................  259
Ashtrays .......................................  261
Cigarette lighter ...........................  262
Power outlet .................................  263
Telephone*...................................  264
Tele Aid* ......................................  265
Garage door opener* ...................  273
Operation.........................................  281
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km).........  282
Driving instructions............................  283
Drive sensibly – save fuel .............  283
Drinking and driving .....................  283
Pedals ..........................................  283
Power assistance .........................  283
Brakes ..........................................  284
Driving off ....................................  285
Parking .........................................  285
Tires .............................................  286
Hydroplaning ................................  287
Tire traction..................................  287
Tire speed rating ..........................  288
Winter driving instructions ...........  289
Standing water .............................  290
Passenger compartment ..............  290
Driving abroad..............................  290
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters .................................  291
Catalytic converter .......................  291
Emission control ..........................  292
Coolant temperature ....................  293At the gas station ..............................  294
Refueling ......................................  294
Check regularly and before 
a long trip.....................................  295
Engine compartment .........................  297
Hood ............................................  297
Engine oil .....................................  298
Transmission fluid level ................  300
Coolant level ................................  301
Battery .........................................  302
Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system*.........  303
Tires and wheels................................  304
Important guidelines ....................  304
Tire care and maintenance...........  305
Direction of rotation.....................  307
Loading the vehicle ......................  307
Recommended tire inflation 
pressure .......................................  314
Checking tire inflation pressure ...  316
MOExtended system* 
(Canada only) ...............................  320
Tire labeling .................................  321
Load identification .......................  325
DOT, Tire Identification Number 
(TIN) .............................................  326 
     
        
        Page 297 of 474
296 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the 
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer 
system and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(page 303).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level, 
see “Engine oil” (
page 298).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more 
information on replacing light bulbs, see 
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 397).
Exterior lamp switch (page 118).Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure 
(
page 316). 
     
        
        Page 332 of 474

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those 
standard items which may be replaced) of 
automatic transmission, power steering, 
power brakes, power windows, power 
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that 
these items are available as 
factory-installed equipment (whether 
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing 
outward on each square inch of the tire. 
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per 
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or 
bars.Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire 
section height and section width 
expressed in percentage.
Bar
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. 
     
        
        Page 445 of 474

444 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.In areas where carbon deposits may be 
encountered due to lack of availability of 
gasolines 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 
directions on product label. 
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel. 
This only results in unnecessary cost and 
may be harmful to engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from 
poor fuel quality or from blending 
additional fuel additives other than those 
tested and approved by us for use on 
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the 
Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet are not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the 
pu mp ) m ust  b e 91 m i n. It is  an a ve ra ge 
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 must not 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.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which 
provides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the 
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory 
with a coolant providing freeze protection 
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and 
corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective 
to -22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the 
coolant in the pressurized cooling system 
is reached at approx. 266°F (130°C).