Page 36 of 417
35 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positions
Starter switch
0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, see “Lamps in
instrument cluster” (page 290).
3Starting position
i
When you switch on ignition, the indi-
cator and warning lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. The indicator and warning lamps
(except high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps if
activated) will go out when the engine
is running. This indicates that the re-
spective systems are operational.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
Page 37 of 417
36 Getting started
Unlocking
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned, the
battery may not be sufficiently
charged.
Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 353).
Get a jump start (page 356).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Page 49 of 417
48 Getting started
Driving
Seat belt height adjustment
Adjust the height so that the upper part of
the belt runs over the middle of the shoul-
der.
1Button for belt outlet height
adjustmentAdjusting belt outlet higher
Slide belt outlet upward.
The belt outlet engages in five various
positions.
Adjusting belt outlet lower
Pull and hold release button1.
Slide belt outlet in desired position.
Let go of release button1.
Please comply with the instructions for
“Proper use of seat belts” (
page 47).
Starting the engine
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as garage) which are not properly ven-
tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes
are entering the vehicle while driving, have
the cause determined and corrected imme-
diately. If you must drive under these condi-
tions, drive only with at least one window
fully open.
Page 50 of 417
49 Getting started
Driving
Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
PPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 149).Starting
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 35).
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine,
see “Turning off engine” (
page 58).Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn SmartKey in starter switch to
position0 and repeat starting proce-
dure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 356).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
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You can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.
Page 51 of 417
50 Getting started
Driving
Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release buttonRelease the parking brake by lifting
lever1 up slightly, pressing button2
on the lever and moving lever1 down
to the stop.
The warning lamp; (USA only) or
3 (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to positionD
orR.Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious personal injury.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofP or N if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!
In order to avoid damaging the trans-
mission,
wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.
place the gear selector lever in
positionPorR only when the vehi-
cle is stopped.
!
If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
Page 52 of 417
51 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 220).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 227).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch
1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
i
You can open the doors from inside.
Open doors only when the conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic
locking using the control system
(
page 142).
!
Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Page 56 of 417
55 Getting started
Driving
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
Interval wiping
Switching on
Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching off
Press upper half1 of the switch
again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press and hold lower half3 of the
switch.
The wiper operates with washer fluid.
The rear window will be wiped for ap-
proximately another five seconds after
the switch is released.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 249).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
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The rear window wiper will also auto-
matically engage if
the windshield wipers are engaged.
the gear selector lever is placed
inR “Reverse”.
Page 57 of 417
56 Getting started
Driving
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
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 248).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police
authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
i
Excessive coolant temperatures trigger
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 308).
