Page 397 of 474
396 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesSmartKey
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key
(page 389).
1Mechanical key
2Slide
3Battery compartment
Insert the mechanical key1 in direc-
tion of arrow in side opening.
Using mechanical key1, push gray
slide 2 to unlatch battery compart-
ment 3.
Pull battery compartment3 out of the
housing in direction of arrow.
4Battery
5Contact spring
Remove the batteries4 in direction of
arrow.
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries4 under the contact
spring5 with the positive terminal (+)
side facing up.
Return battery compartment3 into
housing until it locks into place.
Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.
Check the operation of the SmartKey.
Page 406 of 474

405 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing wiper blades
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Fold wiper arm forward.
1Unlock
2Lock
Pull the tab in direction of arrow1 and
remove wiper blade.
Installing wiper blades
Slide the wiper blade into the cutout on
the wiper arm (see arrows).
Slide the tab back in the direction of
arrow2 until it audibly engages.
Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold on
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 407 of 474

406 Practical hintsFlat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 124).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (
page 58).
Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission: to first or
reverse gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 59).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 406).
Take the wheel wrench, the wheel
bolts, and the jack out of the trunk
(page 383).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
trunk (
page 386).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the Minispare
wheel replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Page 413 of 474

412 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box:
Release clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installing filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries (
page 302).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
Page 414 of 474
413 Practical hints
Battery
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Turn off the engine (
page 59).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (
page 297).
Remove the filter box (
page 412).
Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal1.
Remove cover2 from the positive
terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Pull out the battery ventilation tube
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation tube is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
Page 415 of 474

414 Practical hintsBatteryCharging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover2.
Connect the battery negative lead.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 412).
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the bat-
tery ventilation tube must always be se-
curely installed when the vehicle is in
operation.!NEVER invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be
carried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 145).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows
(page 242).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 246).
Page 418 of 474

417 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with the SmartKey in the starter
switch turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(page 95) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 152).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP
®
will immediately be engaged and will
apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Page 419 of 474

418 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on the ignition and activate the
combination switch for the left or right
turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.