Page 228 of 456
227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds, 
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic 
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and 
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch 
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the 
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or 
there is an interference from other radio or 
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system 
will automatically switch off after 
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the 
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (
page 34).
Clean Parktronic system sensors 
(page 322).
Switch on the ignition.
or
Check Parktronic system operation at 
another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic 
signals. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 269 of 456

268 OperationDriving instructionsCatalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with 
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an 
important element in conjunction with the 
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper 
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as 
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to 
keep the toxic components of the exhaust 
gases within permissible limits required by 
law.
These systems, of course, will function 
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments to the engine should therefore 
be carried out only by qualified 
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. 
Engine adjustments should not be altered 
in any way. Moreover, the specified service 
jobs must be carried out regularly accord-
ing to Mercedes-Benz servicing require-
ments. For details refer to the 
Maintenance Booklet.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, use only premium unleaded 
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine 
operation should be dealt with prompt-
ly. Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel 
may reach the catalytic converter, 
causing it to overheat and potentially 
start a fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves 
can come into contact with the hot exhaust 
system, as these materials could be ignited 
and cause a vehicle fire. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 295 of 456

294 OperationTires and wheelsChecking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure 
at least once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation 
pressure when the tires are cold. The tires 
can be considered cold if the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 3 hours or driven 
less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If you check the tire inflation pressure 
when the tires are warm (the vehicle has 
been driven for several miles or sitting less 
than 3 hours), the reading will be 
approximately 4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than 
the cold reading. This is normal. Do not let 
air out to match the specified cold tire in-
flation pressure. Otherwise, the tire will be 
underinflated.Checking tire inflation pressure 
manually
Follow the steps below to achieve correct 
tire inflation pressure:
Remove the cap from the valve on one 
tire.
Firmly press a tire gauge onto the 
valve.
Read tire inflation pressure on tire 
gauge and check against the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure on the 
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar 
(page 292). If necessary, add air to 
achieve the recommended tire inflation 
pressure.
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.
Checking tire inflation pressure 
electronically*
The tire inflation pressure monitor only 
functions on wheels that are equipped with 
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors 
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by 
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is 
issued to alert you to a decrease in tire 
inflation pressure in one or more of the 
tires.
You can call up the tire inflation pressure 
monitoring display using the control 
system (
page 137).
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release 
tire inflation pressure by pushing the 
metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of 
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation 
pressure with the tire gauge. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 322 of 456

321 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of ornamen-
tal moldings, use a damp cloth.Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers, 
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as 
Mercedes-Benz approved Car 
Shampoo, with plenty of water.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in 
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic 
car wash to prevent damage to the 
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper 
switch is set to0 (
page 54). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and 
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of 
the windshield (
page 323). This will 
prevent smears and reduce wiping 
noise which can be caused by residual 
wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure 
that the mirrors are folded out. Other-
wise they may vibrate.
!Do not use chrome cleaner on orna-
mental moldings. Although ornamental 
moldings may have chrome appear-
ance, they could be made of anodized 
aluminum that will be damaged when 
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, 
use a damp cloth to clean those orna-
mental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of 
which you are sure are chrome-plated, 
use a chrome cleaner. If in doubt 
whether an ornamental molding is 
chrome-plated, contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Only use window cleaning solutions 
that are suitable for plastic lamp lens-
es. Window cleaning solutions which 
are not suitable may damage the plas-
tic lamp lenses of the headlamps. 
Therefore, do not use abrasives, sol-
vents or cleaners that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a 
soft, non-scratching cloth when clean-
ing the lenses. Do not attempt to wipe 
dirty lenses with a dry cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage 
the lens surface. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 323 of 456

322 OperationVehicle careCleaning the Distronic* system sensor 
cover
1Distronic system sensor cover
Switch off the ignition (
page 34).
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as 
Mercedes-Benz approved Car 
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a 
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor 
cover1.Cleaning the Parktronic* system 
sensors
1Parktronic system sensors in front 
bumper
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as 
Mercedes-Benz approved Car 
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a 
soft, non-scratching cloth to clean 
sensors1 on the bumpers.
!To prevent scratches or damage, never 
apply strong force and only use a soft, 
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the 
sensor cover1. Do not attempt to 
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or 
sponge.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the 
sensor covers. Applying strong pres-
sure may damage the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the 
power washer manufacturer on main-
taining a distance between the vehicle 
and the nozzle of the power washer.!To prevent scratches, never apply 
strong force and only use a soft, 
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the 
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty 
sensors with a dry cloth or sponge. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 353 of 456

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?When the message:ADD 1.0 QT. OIL 
AT FILLING STATION(Canada:
 1.0 LITER
)
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 ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be 
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory 
Approved Service Products pamphlet. 
Display 
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
: 
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP
The engine oil has dropped to a critical 
level.
Check the engine oil level (
page 275) 
and add engine oil as required 
(
page 278).
If you must add engine oil frequently, 
have the engine checked for possible 
leaks.
There is water in the engine oil.
Have the engine oil checked.
OIL SENSOR MALFUNCT.
VISIT WORKSHOP
The 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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 357 of 456
356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
. 
LIGHT SENSOR
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The 
headlamps switch on automatically.
In the control system, set lamp operation 
to manual (
page 159).
Switch on headlamps using the exterior 
lamp switch.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, LEFT 
CHECK LIGHT
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, RIGHT 
CHECK LIGHT
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FL
CHECK LIGHT
 
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FR
CHECK LIGHT
 
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 363 of 456

362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display 
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is un-
able to monitor the tire inflation pressure 
due to:
the presence of several wheel sensors 
in the vehicle
excessive wheel sensor temperatures
a nearby radio interference source
unrecognized wheel sensors installed
Remove any extra wheel sensors from the 
vehicle.
As soon as the causes of the malfunction have 
been removed, the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor automatically becomes active again.
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
NOT OPERATIONAL 
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The tire inflation pressure monitor or a 
wheel sensor is malfunctioning.
Have the tire inflation pressure monitor 
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
A wheel without proper sensor was in-
stalled.
Have the wheels checked.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects 
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. 
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.