Page 152 of 521

151 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
dim.
Coolant temperature indicator
During severe operating conditions, e.g. 
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature above 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 153).
If it is not displayed, press button è 
or ÿ repeatedly until the trip 
odometer appears.
Press and hold the reset button1 
(page 150) until the trip odometer is 
reset.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
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 hood. Stay away from 
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until the 
engine has cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature trigger 
a warning in the multifunction display 
(page 379). 
     
        
        Page 315 of 521
314 OperationDriving instructionsCoolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximately 
248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature over 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which 
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously 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. 
     
        
        Page 365 of 521

364 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 380 of 521

379 Practical hints
What 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 325).
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. 
     
        
        Page 405 of 521

404 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operation conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Ï 
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or 
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Only start the engine again after the 
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
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.
!The engine should not be operated with 
the coolant temperature above 248°F 
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious 
damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 507 of 521

506 IndexEngine
Belt layout 469
Block heater* (Canada only) 359
Cleaning 366
Compartment 319
Malfunction indicator lamp 377, 378, 
403
Maximum engine speed 471
Message in the display 377, 378, 
403
Number 468, 494
Starting 50
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 51
Starting with the SmartKey 51
Tachometer 25
Technical data 471
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 62
Turning off with the SmartKey 62
Engine compartment
Hood 319
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 377, 
378, 403Engine oil
Adding 323
Additives 487
Changing 323
Checking level (Control system) 321
Checking level (Dipstick) 322
Consumption 320
Filler neck 324
Messages in display 321, 408
Recommended engine oils and oil 
filter 487
Viscosity 494
Engine oil level 318
ESP
®
94, 494
Four wheel electronic traction system 
with ESP
®
100
Messages in display 391
Warning lamp 375
ETD 494
Safety guidelines 70
Exterior rear view mirrors
Parking position 176
F
Factory, SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* 114
Filler neck, Engine oil 324First aid kit 422
Flat tire 441
Lowering the vehicle 447
Mounting the spare wheel 441, 444
Preparing the vehicle 441
Spare wheel 441
Flexible Service System see FSS
Floormats 284
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 484
Brake fluid 485
Capacities 484
Engine coolant 485
Engine oil 484
Power steering fluid 485
Windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system 486
Fog lamps 144
Messages in display 412
Replacing bulbs 435
Four wheel electronic traction system with 
ESP
® see 4MATIC
4MATIC 100
Front air bags 71
Front lamps see Headlamps