ContentsDriving systems ................................. 239
Cruise control............................... 239
Distronic*..................................... 243
Airmatic DC (Dual Control)* ......... 255
Loading .............................................. 260
Split rear bench seat .................... 260
Expanding the cargo
compartment................................ 262
Loading instructions ..................... 263
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 264
Cargo management system*
(Canada only) ............................... 265
Storage box in cargo
compartment (Canada only) ......... 268
Twin roller blind ............................ 269
Useful features .................................. 272
Storage compartments................. 272
Cup holders .................................. 274
Ashtrays ....................................... 277
Cigarette lighter ........................... 278
Power outlet ................................. 279
Heated steering wheel* ............... 279
Floormats ..................................... 280
Telephone*................................... 281
Tele Aid ........................................ 282
Garage door opener ..................... 290
Operation......................................... 299
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 300
Driving instructions............................ 301
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 301
Drinking and driving ..................... 301
Pedals .......................................... 301
Power assistance ......................... 302
Brakes .......................................... 302
Driving off .................................... 304
Parking ......................................... 304
Tires ............................................. 305
Hydroplaning ................................ 305
Tire traction.................................. 306
Tire speed rating .......................... 306
Winter driving instructions ........... 307
Standing water ............................. 308
Passenger compartment .............. 309
Driving abroad.............................. 309
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 309
Catalytic converter ....................... 310
Emission control .......................... 310
Coolant temperature .................... 311At the gas station .............................. 312
Refueling ...................................... 312
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 313
Engine compartment ......................... 315
Hood ............................................ 315
Engine oil ..................................... 316
Transmission fluid level ................ 320
Coolant level ................................ 321
Batteries ...................................... 322
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 323
Tires and wheels................................ 324
Important guidelines .................... 324
Tire care and maintenance........... 325
Direction of rotation..................... 327
Loading the vehicle ...................... 327
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 333
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 335
MOExtended system* .................. 340
Tire labeling ................................. 340
Load identification ....................... 344
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 345
Maximum tire load ....................... 346
58 Getting startedDrivingActivating intermittent wipe
Press upper section1 of the button.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Deactivating intermittent wipe
Press upper section1 of the button
again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Wiping with window washer fluid
Press and hold lower half3 of the but-
ton.
The rear window is wiped for a further
5 seconds after the button is released.
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in
a safe location and turn off the engine.
Allow engine and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 321).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
313 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*” (
page 323).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 485).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and
the? malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the ± malfunction in-
dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
For more information, see also “Practi-
cal hints” (
page 375).
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet.
iOpening the hood, see (
page 315).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 374).
314 OperationAt the gas stationCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 321)
and see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(
page 482).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 316).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 431).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 143).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 335).
319 Operation
Engine compartment
1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 315).
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil”.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(
page 482).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 383).Adding engine oiliThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a
listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet in your ve-
hicle literature portfolio, or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
321 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level:
for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 487).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.
Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 321).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below
257°F (125°C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257°F (125°C).
Stop as soon as possible in a safe lo-
cation and allow the engine and cool-
ant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
400 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
Engine
Service
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
Center.
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 321).
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.