Page 17 of 417

16 Introduction
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this 
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified 
with an asterisk. Since standard 
equipment varies between models, 
the descriptions and illustrations in 
this manual may differ slightly from 
the actual equipment of your 
vehicle.This symbol points to instructions for 
you to follow. 
A number of these symbols appearing 
in succession indicates a multiple-step 
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to 
look for further information on a 
topic.
This continuation symbol marks 
an interrupted procedure which 
will be continued on the next 
page.
-> In the glossary of technical 
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term 
definitions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in 
the type shown here.
Warning!G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life, 
or the health or life of others.
!
Highlights hazards that may result in 
damage to your vehicle.
i
Helpful hints or further information you 
may find useful. 
     
        
        Page 112 of 417

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and the parking 
lamps can be switched on and off with the 
exterior lamp switch.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of 
the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch 
position1 only the parking lamps will 
switch on and off automatically.
When the engine is running, the low 
beam headlamps, the tail and parking 
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the 
side marker lamps will switch on and 
off automatically.
i
With the SmartKey removed from the 
starter switch and the driver’s door 
open, a warning sounds if the parking 
lamps or low beam headlamps are 
switched on.
The message 
TURN OFF LIGHTS! ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from 
oncoming traffic. 
the headlamps will not be automatically 
switched on under foggy conditions. 
To minimize risk to you and to others, 
activate headlamps by turning exterior 
lamp switch to B when driving or 
when traffic and / or ambient lighting 
conditions require you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only 
switch from position U to B with 
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe loca-
tion. Switching from U to B will 
briefly switch off the headlamps. Doing 
so while driving in low ambient lighting 
conditions may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an 
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for 
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all 
times. 
     
        
        Page 141 of 417

140 Controls in detail
Control system
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to the 
LIGHTING submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the dis-
play: 
LOCATOR LIGHTING.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to switch the loca-
tor lighting function 
ON or OFF.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionU when exiting the vehicle 
(
page 110).
The locator lighting feature is 
activated.Setting night security illumination 
(Headlamps delayed shut-off)
Use this function to set whether and how 
long you would like the exterior lamps to 
illuminate during darkness after exiting the 
vehicle and all doors closed.
With the delayed shut-off feature activated 
and the exterior lamp switch in 
positionU before the engine is turned 
off, the following lamps will switch on 
when the engine is turned off:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Front fog lamps
If after turning off the engine you do not 
open a door or do not close an opened 
door, the lamps will switch off automatical-
ly after approximately 60 seconds.
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to the 
LIGHTING submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the dis-
play: 
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to select the 
desired lamp-on period.
i
You can reactivate this function within 
ten minutes by opening a door. 
     
        
        Page 154 of 417

153 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the 
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle  Later upshifting
Kickdown 
Use kickdown when you want maximum 
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of 
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower 
gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have 
reached the desired speed. 
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine 
idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to 
positionP.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas, 
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the 
parking brake and move gear selector lever 
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could 
roll away. 
     
        
        Page 187 of 417

186 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an 
obstacle. The warning indicator is located 
next to the tailgate.
Warning indicator
As your vehicle approaches an object, one 
or more segments will come on, depending 
on the distance. When the sixth segment 
lights, you have reached the minimum dis-
tance.An intermittent acoustic warning will 
sound when the first yellow segment 
comes on. This signal quickens with each 
additional segment lit. When all segments 
illuminate, the acoustic warning becomes 
a constant signal. The signal is canceled 
when the gear selector lever is placed in 
position D or P.
Rear Parking Assist malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Rear Parking 
Assist system if:
a low warning tone sounds while the 
vehicle is reversing
The Rear Parking Assist sensors are 
dirty or malfunctioning.
Clean the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem sensors (
page 286).
Switch on the ignition again.
no segments come on and no warning 
sounds
The Rear Parking Assist is malfunction-
ing.
Have the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem checked by an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center 
as soon as possible.
Malfunction may also be caused by inter-
ference from other radio or ultrasonic sig-
nals.
Check the Rear Parking Assist opera-
tion at another location to rule out in-
terference from outside radio or 
ultrasonic signals. 
     
        
        Page 317 of 417

316 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible causePossible solution
. LIGHT SENSOR
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The 
headlamps switch on automatically.In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual (
page 138).
Switch on headlamps using the 
exterior lamp switch (
page 110).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!
 
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LIGHT R
CHECK LIGHT!
 
The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LIGHTS!The display appears if the driver’s door is 
opened with the engine shut off and no 
SmartKey in the starter switch.Insert SmartKey in the starter switch.
Switch off the lights (page 110).
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LIGHT!The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center as soon as 
possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LIGHT!The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center as soon as 
possible. 
     
        
        Page 332 of 417
331 Practical hints
Brush guard*
Brush guard*
Warning!G
The brush guard is designed solely to en-
hance the appearance of the vehicle and 
help protect grille and headlights from minor 
mishaps, either on- or off-road. Since the 
safety characteristics are limited in the 
event of an accident, brush guards are not 
intended to prevent injury or damage in the 
event of an accident. Also check state and 
local regulations on installation and use.
Raise and lower brush guard in an open 
space with plenty of room.
To help prevent personal injury when open-
ing or closing the brush guard, use extreme 
caution not to trap hands or feet.
The brush guard must be in raised and 
locked position while driving.
i
Only lower brush guard to clean head 
lamps or to replace bulbs. 
     
        
        Page 336 of 417
335 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper 
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all 
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely 
important. Have headlamps checked and 
readjusted at regular intervals and when a 
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for 
headlamp adjustment. i
If the headlamps or front fog lamps are 
fogged up on the inside as a result of 
high humidity, driving the vehicle a dis-
tance with the lights on should clear up 
the fogging.
i
Backup bulbs will be brought into use 
when lamps malfunction. Observe the 
messages in the multifunction display 
(
page 298).