Page 58 of 539

57 Getting started
Driving
Rear window wiper/washer
The combination switch is located on the 
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Rear window wiper switch
2Wiping rear window with washer fluid
3Intermittent wiping
4Rear window wiper off
5Wiping rear window with washer fluid
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off 
immediately.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in 
a safe location and
turn off the engine by turning 
the SmartKey to position0 and 
withdraw SmartKey from starter 
switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing 
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button and open the driver’s 
door (with the driver’s door 
open, starter switch is in 
position0, same as with 
SmartKey removed from starter 
switch)
before attempting to remove any 
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on 
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at 
all in switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the 
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 60 of 539
59 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 332).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any 
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 155 of 539
154 Controls in detailControl systemMenus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Off-road
Vehicle status 
message memory
Settings
(page 156)
(page 157)
(page 158)
(page 159)
(page 159)
(page 161)
Commands/submenusTrip odometer and 
Main odometer
Select radio station
Show route guid-
ance instructions, 
current direction 
traveled
Compass
Call up vehicle mal-
function, warning 
and system status 
messages stored in 
memory
Reset to factory set-
tings
Check tire inflation 
pressure
Select satellite radio* 
station
Vehicle level*
Instrument cluster 
submenu
Check coolant temper-
ature
Operate CD player
Time/Date sub-
menu
Digital speedometer/ 
outside temperature
Lighting submenu
Call up maintenance 
service indicator
Vehicle submenu
Check engine oil level*
Convenience sub-
menu 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 193 of 539
192 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionEmergency operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the 
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp 
home (emergency operation) mode. In this 
mode only second gear and reverse gear 
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Shift to park positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least ten seconds before 
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Shift to drive positionD (for second 
gear) or reverse gearR.
Have the transmission checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 213 of 539

212 Controls in detailClimate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button2 again.
The indicator lamp on button2 
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position0or1, or remove it from 
the starter switch.
Press buttonT (
page 204).
The indicator lamp on buttonT 
comes on.
Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 204).
The indicator lamp on buttonT 
goes out.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the battery voltage. 
Regardless of the temperature and air 
volume set on the climate control panel 
an interior temperature is aimed at by 
72°F (22°C) and the blower runs for 
the protection of the battery on low 
stage. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 227 of 539

226 Controls in detail3-zone automatic climate control*Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic 
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press button2 (
page 218).
The indicator lamp on button2 
goes out.
The cooling function switches off after 
a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button2 again.
The indicator lamp on button2 
comes on.
The air conditioning system uses the refrig-
erant R-134a. This refrigerant is free of 
CFCs which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air 
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The 
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the battery voltage. 
Regardless of the temperature and air 
volume set on the climate control panel 
an interior temperature is aimed at by 
72°F (22°C) and the blower runs for 
the protection of the battery on low 
stage. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 280 of 539

279 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormats*
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only 
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on 
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center 
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio 
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make 
sure there is enough clearance and that the 
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tend using eyelets
2
 and retainer pins
1
.
Before driving off, check that the floormats 
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and 
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of 
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more 
easily, move the driver’s seat or front 
passenger seat as far to the rear as 
possible (
page 39).
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped 
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna) 
from inside the vehicle while the engine is 
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious 
personal injury. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 314 of 539

313 Operation
Driving instructions
Returning from off-road drivingOff-road driving increases strain on the 
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road 
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of 
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:
Switch off the Off-road driving program 
(page 248).
Switch off the DSR (
page 245).
Remove excessive dirt from tires, 
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean 
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes, 
and wheels from extreme dirt using a 
strong jet of water.
Inspect vehicle underbody, oil pan, 
brake hoses, etc., as well as vehicle un-
derbody for possible damage.
Check tires for possible damage, clean 
all exterior lamps, and conduct a brake 
test.
Check for brush or branches caught in 
the underbody.
They could increase the possibility of a 
fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake 
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the 
axles or drive shafts.
After continued operation in mud, 
sand, water or other dirty conditions 
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake 
pads and check and clean axle joints.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or 
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred, 
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from 
the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for 
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire 
dealer for repairs.