Page 356 of 514

355 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
Page 357 of 514

356 OperationTires and wheelsGVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Page 365 of 514

364 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subject to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the
underbody 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
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
Page 377 of 514

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
±
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow engine
malfunction indi-
cator 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 ex-
cessive emissions values and may
switch the engine to its Limp-Home
Mode (emergency operation).
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble 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 accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area of the
footwell next to the parking brake pedal.
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 318).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refuelling, start turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The Limp-Home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
Page 380 of 514

379 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
A
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 318).
C
The yellow roll bar warning lamp
comes on or flickers when the
engine is running.
The roll bar system is malfunctioning.
Release the roll bars manually.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes
on after starting the engine with
all doors closed.
The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts before
driving off.
Fasten your seat belts.
<
The red seat belt telltale flashes
and you additionally hear an in-
termittent warning signal with in-
creasing intensity for a maximum
of 60 seconds when the vehicle’s
speed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h).
You and/or your front passenger have for-
gotten to fasten your seat belts.
There are items placed on the front passen-
ger seat and therefore the system senses the
front passenger seat as being occupied.
Fasten your seat belts.
Remove the items from the front pas-
senger seat and put them in a safe
place.
Page 398 of 514

397 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ú
Visit workshop
There may be a malfunction in the
fuel injection system
ignition system
exhaust system
fuel system
Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 327).
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 sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.
Page 401 of 514

400 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
4
Check gas cap
See Oper.’s Man.
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 318).
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.
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems have
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
±
Display defective
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
J
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
Page 402 of 514
401 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 325) and check
the engine oil level (
page 323).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Have oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with re-
spect to its disposal.
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 325) and check
the engine oil level (
page 323).