Page 319 of 456

318 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately 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 ap-
plied 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.
Page 331 of 456

330 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
?(USA only)±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency opera-
tion) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics system.
It allows the accurate identification of
system malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is lo-
cated in the front left area of the
footwell next to the parking brake pedal.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refuelling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
Page 332 of 456
331 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
?(USA only)±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
A loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be closed
properly or the fuel system may be leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 270).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 270).
Page 335 of 456

334 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
H
The yellow warning lamp for the
tire inflation pressure monitor
comes on.
The tire inflation pressure monitor detects a
loss of pressure in at least one tire.
Bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Observe the traffic situation around you.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display.
The warning lamp goes out once the tire in-
flation pressure monitor has been reactivat-
ed after the tire inflation pressures have
been corrected.
Warning!
G
When the tire inflation pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. You
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tire in-
formation placard. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended inflation pressure as specified in
the vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
iThe recommended tire inflation pres-
sures for your vehicle can be found on
the tire placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar or, if available, the inside of the
fuel filler flap, not in the owner’s
manual.
Page 348 of 456
347 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
VISIT WORKSHOP
There may be a malfunction in the:
Fuel injection system
Ignition system
Exhaust system
Fuel system
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 280).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.
Page 361 of 456
360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
t
FUNCTION
UNAVAILABLE
This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
A
TANK OPEN
CHECK FILLER CAP
A loss of pressure has been detected in
the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 270).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN
This message will appear whenever the
trunk is open.
Close the trunk.
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 282).
Page 375 of 456
374 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyFuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
1Release knob
Open the trunk.
Remove the battery cover and the trim
inside the trunk on the right-hand side.
Pull release knob 1 in the direction of
arrow.
The fuel filler flap can be opened.
Page 395 of 456

394 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only use 12-volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.