341 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NUSA only:
At next gas station
add 1.0 qt engine oil
Canada only:
At next gas station
add 1.0 l engine oil
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 300) and check
the engine oil level (
page 299).
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off!There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (page 300) and check
the engine oil level (
page 299).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil levelYou have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with
respect to its disposal.
Change engine oil
Visit workshopIt may be that there is water in the engine
oil.Have the engine oil checked.
372 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message At next gas station
add 1.0 qt engine oil
(Canada: 1.0 l)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NEngine oil level
Visit workshopThe engine oil has dropped to a critical
level.Check the engine oil level
(
page 299) and add oil as required
(
page 300).
If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
Oil sensor malfunction
Visit workshopThe measuring system is malfunctioning.Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!
The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
378 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Center as soon as possible.
_Steering oil
Visit workshopThe steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear
damage.Have the system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
440 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable
if MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze
solution or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant
concentration or bring it back up to the
proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion/antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approx. -22°F
(-30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze
protection to approx. -49°F (-45°C)], the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the
solution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifi-
cally formulated to protect the aluminum
parts.
Failure to use such anticorrosion/anti-
freeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
anticorrosion/antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
453 Index
Driving
Abroad 290
Hydroplaning 287
In winter 288
Instructions 42, 283
Problems 52
Safety systems 82
Systems 245
Through standing water 289
Driving safety systems
ABS 82
BAS 84
ESP
®84
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 39, 148
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 263
Electrical system, Technical data 434
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 calls 235
Tele Aid* calls 266, 267, 271
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 168Emergency operations
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 388
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 386
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*,
Manual operation 389
Remote door unlock 272
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 102
Trunk lid, Unlocking 387
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 415
First aid kit 350, 380
Flat tire, Changing 404
Fuses 420
Hazard warning flasher 119
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 350–356
Roadside Assistance 12, 268
Towing the vehicle 417
Emission control 291
Information label 426
System warranties 10Engine
Belt layout 427
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Brake-in recommendations 282
Cleaning 343
Compartment 297
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 352
Maximum engine speed 428
Number 426
Starting 46
Technical data 428
Turning 56
Engine coolant see coolant
Engine number 444
Engine oil 298, 437
Adding 300
Additives 437
Changing 436
Checking level 299
Consumption 298
Display messages 299
Filler neck 301
Messages in display 299, 371, 372
Recommended engine and
oil filter 371
Viscosity 444
459 Index
New vehicle break-in 282
Night security illumination 117
Setting 146
Normal occupant weight 333
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 426
O
Occupant distribution 333
Occupant safety 60
Air bags 61
Children and air bags 62
Children in the vehicle 72
Fastening the seat belt 42
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 75, 357
Infant and child restraint systems 73
LATCH-type child seat anchors 79
Seat belts 42, 64
Odometer 125
Oil level see Engine oil level, Checking oil
level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting, Gear selector le-
ver (Automatic transmission) 162
Canceling gear range limit 162
Downshifting 162
Upshifting 162One-touch gearshifting, Steering wheel
gearshift control
(Automatic transmission) 163
Operating safety 197
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 344
Outside temperature indicator 124
Outside temperature see Displays
Overhead control panel 29
Overspeed range 446
P
Paintwork, Cleaning 342
Panic alarm* 81
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 258
Parking 54, 285
Parking brake 46, 54
Engaging 54
Message in display 366
Releasing 46
Parking lamps
Messages in display 376
Replacing bulbs 395Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 113, 149,
170
Parts service 424
Passenger compartment 290
Interior lighting 120
Interior rear view mirror 40
Main fuse box in 421
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 258
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 283
Phone* see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning and
care of 346
Poly-V-belt drive 446
Layout 427
Positions (memory function) see Seats
Power assistance 283
Power outlet in rear passenger
compartment 263
Power seat see Seats, Power 36
463 Index
Sun visors 171
Sunshade* 172
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 15
T
Tachometer 25, 124
Overspeed range 124
Tail lamps
Cleaning 344
Messages in display 376
Replacing bulbs 396, 400
Tar stains 342
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 437
Brake fluid 437
Coolant 436, 439
Electrical system 434
Engine 428
Engine oil additives 437
Engine oils 437
Fuel requirements 439
Fuels 436
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc 436
Gasoline additives 438
Lubricants 436Premium unleaded gasoline 438
Rims and tires 429
Weights 435
Windshield washer 436
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 436, 442
Tele Aid* 264, 265, 271
Emergency calls 266
Hands-free microphone 29
Information 270
Initiating an emergency call
manually 267
Message in display 379
Remote door unlock 272
Roadside Assistance 268
SOS button 267
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 272
System self-check 266
Telematics* 448Telephone* 26, 263
Answering/ending a call 153
Hands-free microphone 29
Message in display 379
Operation 152, 223
Phone book 153
Redialing 154
Temperature
Display mode 130
Interior temperature 178
Temperature, Tires 316
Tether attachment points, see
Children in the vehicle
Tie-down rings*, Trunk 255
Tightening torque, Wheel bolts 410, 448
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof
Time 140
TIN 333
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 309
Tire and loading Information
Terminology 331