Page 340 of 561

339 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center directo-
ry, you should request pertinent informa-
tion from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Control and operation of radio
transmitters
Modular COMAND System, radio and
telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.Warning!
G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle. Only operate the
Modular COMAND System, radio or tele-
phone
1 if road, weather and traffic condi-
tions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and / or
personal injury.
Page 349 of 561

348 OperationEngine compartmentIf you see the message:Observe waiting period
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture, wait 30 minutes before repeating
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 5 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 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
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 437).Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (R 350 only)
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
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle also must
have been stationary for at least
5 minutes with the engine turned off
!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.
Page 351 of 561
350 OperationEngine compartmentR3501Filler capR5001Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Never over-
fill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 521) and
(
page 523).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It will cause damage to the engine
and catalytic converter not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 438 of 561

437 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
N
Check eng. oil level
when next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.
Check the engine oil level (
page 346).
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.
Add engine oil (
page 349) and check
the engine oil level (page 346).
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off
There is no oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine
damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as as it is safe to do so in a safe
location.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 349) and check
the engine oil level (page 346).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
You have added too much
engine oil. There is a risk of dam-
aging the engine or the catalytic
converter.
Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with
respect to its disposal.
Change engine oil
Visit workshop
It may be that there is water in
the engine oil.
Have the engine oil checked.
Page 452 of 561
451 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
L
Malfunction
Drive to workshop
One or more main functions of the
Tele Aid* system are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid* system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Battery
Drive to workshop
The emergency power battery for the
Tele Aid* system is malfunctioning. If the
vehicle battery is also malfunctioning or
drained, Tele Aid* will not be operational.
Have the Tele Aid* system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
t
Function
unavailable
This display appears if buttont or
son the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
W
Washer fluid
Check level
The fluid level has dropped to
about
1/3of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 352).
Page 532 of 561

531 Technical terms
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD or DVD digital
maps for navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 386)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 386)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 386)
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
system tracks distance driven and the
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls
for the next service accordingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 387)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 387)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 387)
Modular COMAND System
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).
Page 541 of 561

540 IndexD
Daytime running lamp mode 149
Setting 182
Deactivating
Air conditioning 227
Air conditioning (cooling) 242
Air recirculation mode 226, 240
Alarm 106
Anti-theft alarm system 106
Automatic climate control*
(3-zone) 234
Central locking (control system) 188
Climate control system 220
Cruise control 266
Defrost 223, 238
Engine 66
ESP
®
101
Hazard warning flasher 154
Headlamps 65
Immobilizer 104
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 185Rear passenger compartment ventila-
tion and climate control 245
Rear window defroster 215
Rear window wiper 62
Residual heat 228, 243
Seat heating* 143
Tow-away alarm 107
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 224, 238
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 185
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 195
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while driv-
ing
Digital speedometer 168
Direction of rotation (tires) 356Discharged battery
Jump starting 496
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 489
Display
Selecting 179
Displays
Digital speedometer 169
Maintenance service indicator 392
Messages 347
Selecting 179
Showing malfunctions 173
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 192
Door control panel 34
Door entry lamps 157
Door handle 34
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 319
Door windows 248
Automatic closing 250
Automatic opening 250
Page 542 of 561

541 Index
Closing 248
Closing fully (Express-close) 250
Opening 248
Opening fully (Express-open) 250
Stopping 250
Synchronizing 251
Doors
Message in display 436
Opening from inside vehicle 121
Opening from outside 112
DOT 386, 530
Downhill driving
Cruise control 265
Drinking and driving 331
Drive sensibly-save fuel 331
Driving 50, 56
Abroad 339
In winter 337
Problems 62
Safety systems 97
Through standing water 338
Driving abroad 339
Driving off 333Driving safety systems
4-ETS 102
ABS 97
BAS 99
EBP 102
ESP
®
99
Driving systems 264
AIRMATIC* 269
Cruise control 264
Driving safety systems 97
Parktronic* 274
Driving tips 203
Accelerator position 203
Kickdown 203
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 132
Activating 189
EBP 102
Electrical fuses 503
Electrical system
Technical data 518
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETSEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 314
With Tele Aid* 313
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 207
Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 462
Locking the vehicle 460
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 462
Remote door unlock 319
Unlocking the vehicle 459
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 340
Emission control label 511
Ending
A call (telephone*) 195
Engine
Message in the display 433
Starting 53
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 54
Technical data 513
Turning off 66
Engine cleaning 397
Engine compartment
Hood 345
Main fuse box 504