Page 413 of 473

412 Practical hints
Battery
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Depress the parking brake pedal.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 56).
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (page 297).
Remove the filter box (page 411).
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 hose
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose 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
!
Always disconnect the battery in the
order described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
Page 415 of 473
414 Practical hints
Battery
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.i
The following procedures must be
carried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (page 140).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows
(
page 240).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof
(
page 244).
Page 418 of 473

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 only so
far as necessary to have the vehicle moved
to a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
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 90) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 147).
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise the ESP
® will immedi-
ately 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 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).
!
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 for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Page 419 of 473

418 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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.
i
To 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.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(
page 90).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 147).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
Page 420 of 473
419 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper.
2Cover on right side of rear bumper.Removing cover
Press mark on cover1 or2 in
direction of arrows.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover
Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.
i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 411)
and “Jump starting” (
page 415).
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
(
page 388).
Page 422 of 473
421 Practical hints
Fuses
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment
The main fuse box is located in the passen-
ger compartment on the driver’s side of
the cockpit.
1Main fuse box cover
Opening fuse box
Open the driver’s door.
Pull fuse box cover1 open with a
screw driver or similar tool (see arrow).
Remove fuse box cover1 rearward.Closing fuse box
Attach fuse box cover1 in the front.
Fold fuse box cover1 in until it
engages.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side.
1Cover
2Screws
3RetainerRemoving cover
Twist screws2
90° counterclockwise.
Lift the rear of cover1.
Slide out retainer3 and remove
cover1 by pulling towards front.
Opening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps
With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.
Release clamps5.
Remove fuse box cover4.
Page 423 of 473
422 Practical hints
Fuses
Closing fuse box
Make sure that the sealing rubber is
properly positioned.
Press fuse box cover4 down and
secure with clamps5.
Installing cover
Insert cover1 sideways into
retainer3.
Twist screws2 90° clockwise.
Fuse box in trunk
The fuse box is located in the trunk behind
the left-hand trim panel.
1Trim panel
2Fuse extractor
3Fuse box coverOpening fuse box
Pull away trim panel1.
Remove fuse box cover3.
Closing fuse box
Insert fuse box cover3.
Insert trim panel1.
Page 444 of 473

443 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock Brake System)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 331)
Air pressure
(
page 331)
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(
page 331)BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the56indicator lamp located
in the center console comes on and re-
mains illuminated).
BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front air bag if a
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is
installed. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.
Bar
(
page 331)BAS
(B
rake Assist System)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 331)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer Assistance Center)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.