Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 329
Tire ply material ........................... 331
Tire and loading terminology ........ 331
Rotating tires ............................... 335
Winter driving .................................... 336
Winter tires .................................. 336
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 337
Snow chains................................. 337
Maintenance...................................... 338
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 338
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 339
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 340
Vehicle care ....................................... 341
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 341
Practical hints.................................. 349
What to do if … ................................... 350
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 350
Lamp in center console................. 357
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 358
Where will I find ...? ............................ 380
First aid kit.................................... 380
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 380
Spare wheel .................................. 383
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 385
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 386
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 386
Locking the vehicle ....................... 387
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 388
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 389
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 389
Resetting activated head restraints .... 391
Resetting activated head
restraints ...................................... 391
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 392
SmartKey ...................................... 393Replacing bulbs .................................. 394
Bulbs............................................. 395
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 397
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 400
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 402
Removing and installing wiper
blades ........................................... 402
Flat tire............................................... 404
Preparing the vehicle .................... 404
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 404
Battery ............................................... 411
Disconnecting the battery ............ 412
Removing the battery ................... 412
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 413
Reconnecting the battery ............. 413
Jump starting...................................... 415
Towing the vehicle.............................. 417
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 419
Fuses.................................................. 420
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 420
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 421
Fuse box in engine compartment . 421
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 422
350 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP®
are also switched off (see messages in dis-
play).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the dis-
play (
page 358).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged suffi-
ciently.When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again and the ABS in-
dicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
362 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPunavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator*
are deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems specified
above.
Continue driving with added caution.
If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP
® is operational again.
malfunction
Visit workshop.The ESP® is deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator*
are deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems specified
above.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshopThe ESP® or the ESP® display is
malfunctioning.Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#Battery Alternator
Visit workshopThe battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
broken poly-V-belt
alternator malfunctioning
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low voltage
Charge batteryThe battery has insufficient voltage.Start the engine (page 45).
Low voltage
Consumers offThe battery has insufficient voltage.Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.
413 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling the batteryCharge 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 411).
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 hose must always be
securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation.
!
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
!
Never invert the terminal connections!
450 Index
Audio system 197
Audio and telephone, operation 197
Button and soft key operation 200
CD changer* with MP3 216
CD operation 214
Operating and display elements 198
Operating audio system 200
Operating safety 197
Radio operation 205
Telephone* operation 223
Auto-dimming mirror* 169
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 147
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 184
Control panel 185
Defrosting, front 190
Rear window defroster 173
Automatic headlamp mode 115
Automatic locking when driving 103
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission) 161Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 142
Automatic transmission 155
Accelerator position 158
Automatic shift program 161
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 168
Fluid level (ATF) 301
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 155
Gear shifting malfunctions 168
Kickdown 158
Kickdown, manual shift program 167
Manual shift program 165
Manual shifting 162
One-touch gearshifting,
Gear selector lever 162
One-touch gearshifting,
Steering wheel gearshift
control 163
Program mode selector switch 161
Program mode selector switch,
manual shift program 165
Starting engine 46B
BabySmartTM
Air bag deactivation system 75, 443
Compatible child seats 75, 443
Self-test 76
Backrest
Rear seat, folding 252
Seat, power 36
Backup lamps
Messages in display 374
Replacing bulbs 396
Bar 331
BAS 84, 443
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 393
Checking battery condition 98
Battery, Vehicle 303, 411
Charging 413
Disconnecting and connecting 412
Jump starting 415
Removing and installing 412
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon headlamps see headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Bolts, Spare wheel 385
Brake Assist System see BAS