Page 216 of 417

215 Controls in detail
Useful features
Operation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2, 
3, or4) to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as 
long as the button is pressed – up to 
20 seconds.
Erasing the integrated remote control 
memory
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
Simultaneously hold down the signal 
transmitter buttons2 and 4, for ap-
proximately 20 seconds, until the indi-
cator lamp1 blinks rapidly. Do not 
hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are 
erased.Reprogramming a single integrated sig-
nal transmitter button
To program a device using a signal trans-
mitter button previously trained, follow 
these steps:
Press and hold the desired signal trans-
mitter button (2, 3, or4). Do not re-
lease the button.
The indicator lamp will begin to flash af-
ter 20 seconds. Without releasing the 
integrated signal transmitter button, 
proceed with programming starting 
with step 3.
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heater warms up the 
leather area of the steering wheel.
The lever with the heated steering wheel 
switch is on the lower left-hand side of the 
steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampi
If you sell your vehicle, erase the codes 
of all three channels. 
     
        
        Page 217 of 417
216 Controls in detail
Useful features
Switching on
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
All lamps in the instrument cluster 
come on.
Turn switch at the tip of lever in direc-
tion of arrow1. 
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator 
lamp3 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of lever in direc-
tion of arrow2. 
The steering wheel heater is turned off. 
Indicator lamp3 goes out.
i
The steering wheel heating is tempo-
rarily suspended while indicator 
lamp3 remains on when
the temperature of the vehicle inte-
rior is above 86°F (30°C)
the temperature of the steering 
wheel is above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply 
anymore, steering wheel heating con-
tinues.
i
Indicator lamp3 flashes or switches 
off in case of
power surge or undervoltage
steering wheel heating malfunction
i
The steering wheel heating switches off 
automatically when you remove the 
SmartKey from the starter switch. 
     
        
        Page 244 of 417

243 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Lower hood and let it drop into lock 
from a height of approximately 0.7 ft 
(20 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully 
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point 
above the turn signals to the left and 
right of the hood, then it is not properly 
closed. Open it again and let it drop 
with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will 
depend on a number of factors, including 
driving style. Higher oil consumption can 
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at 
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only 
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized 
ignition system. Because of the high voltage, 
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic 
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is 
turned manually
Warning!G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on 
anyone.
!
Do not push the hood closed manually, 
as this could damage it. 
i
Do not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive 
assemblies. Using special additives not 
approved by Mercedes-Benz may 
cause damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
More information on this subject is 
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center. 
     
        
        Page 245 of 417

244 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the 
control system
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the 
engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have 
been stationary for at least 30 minutes 
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the 
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
The standard display (
page 123) should 
appear in the multifunction display. 
Press buttonk orj on the 
steering wheel until the following 
message is seen in the multifunction 
display:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW
MEASURE. CORRECT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL
One of the following messages will 
subsequently appear in the indicator:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK
ADD 1.0 Qt. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!
(Canada: 1.0 LITER)
ADD 1.5 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!
(Canada: 1.5 LITERS)
ADD 2.0 Qts. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!
(Canada: 2.0 LITERS)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 247).
For more information on engine oil, see the 
“Technical data” section (
page 376) and 
(
page 377).
i
If you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press thek orj 
button on the multifunction steering 
wheel. 
     
        
        Page 246 of 417

245 Operation
Engine compartment
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2 
in the starter switch, the following 
message will appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH ON IGNITION!
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
If you see the message:
OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD
If engine is at operating temperature, 
wait five minutes before repeating 
check procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before re-
peating check procedure.If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON!
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait five minutes before checking 
oil.
If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes 
before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine 
at normal operating temperature, the 
following message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
Have excess oil siphoned or drained 
off. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.For more information on messages in the 
multifunction display concerning engine 
oil, see the “Practical hints” section 
(
page 311). 
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the 
engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty.
i
Perform the engine oil level check with 
the dipstick if it cannot be completed 
with the control system (
page 246).
In this case we recommend that you 
have the system checked at a 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. 
     
        
        Page 281 of 417

280 Operation
Maintenance
In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing, and caring for your vehicle.
We strongly recommend that you have 
your vehicle serviced by an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, in ac-
cordance with the Maintenance Booklet at 
the times called for by the maintenance 
service indicator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in 
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet 
and maintenance service indicator at the 
designated times/mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will 
notify you when your next maintenance 
service is due.Starting approximately one month before 
maintenance service is due, one of the fol-
lowing messages will appear in the multi-
function display while you are driving or 
when you switch on the ignition (example 
service A):
SERVICE A IN XX DAYS 
SERVICE A IN XX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of maintenance service due is in-
dicated in the speedometer display field:
9Basic service (A)
½Extended service (B)
i
Vehicles equipped with FSS (Flexible 
S
ervice System) only (Canada 
vehicles): The interval between mainte-
nance services depends on your driving 
habits. A gentle driving style, moderate 
engine speeds and the avoidance of 
short-distance trips will lengthen the 
interval between maintenance 
services.  
     
        
        Page 282 of 417

281 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service 
indicator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared
after ten seconds when you switch on 
the ignition or when reaching the main-
tenance service threshold while driving
after 30 seconds, once the suggested 
maintenance service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 25).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction 
display:
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX DAYS 
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX MILES (KM)
In addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center will reset the maintenance service 
indicator following a completed mainte-
nance service.Calling up the maintenance service 
indicator
Switch on the ignition (page 35).
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 123).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the 
maintenance service indicator with the 
service symbol9 or´ and the 
service deadline appears in the multi-
function display. 
     
        
        Page 291 of 417

290 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on ignition, 
have the respective bulb checked and re-
placed if necessary.
ProblemPossible causeSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp 
comes on while driving.You engaged the differential locks. The ABS, 
ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS are switched off. The driving systems will switch on 
again after the differential locks have 
been disengaged. 
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has 
switched off. The ESP, BAS, EBB and 4-ETS 
are also switched off (see messages in dis-
play).
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as the navigation system or 
Rear Parking Assist* may also malfunction. 
The brake system is still functioning normally 
but without the ABS available.Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels will lock during hard braking 
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the 
multifunction display (
page 300).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.