Page 385 of 441

384 Practical hints
Battery
2Negative terminal
3Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 153) (manual
transmission: to Neutral (
page 149)).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (page 274).
Remove the filter box (page 383).
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 279) and
(
page 383).
Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal2.
Remove cover3 from the positive
terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Pull out the battery ventilation hose
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Warning!G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
automatic transmission*: the gear se-
lector lever will remain locked in
positionP
!Always disconnect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s
electronics can be damaged.
Page 386 of 441

385 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling the batteryCharge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover3 (
page 384).
Connect the battery negative lead2
(
page 384).
Reinstall the filter box (page 383).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the battery
ventilation hose must always be securely in-
stalled when the vehicle is in operation.
!Always connect the battery in the order de-
scribed below. Otherwise the vehicle’s electron-
ics can be damaged.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnection):
Set the clock (page 136).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows (page 222).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(
page 226).
Page 387 of 441

386 Practical hints
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic con-
verter are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump
starting with a higher voltage battery
could damage the vehicle’s electrical
system, which will not be covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the catalyt-
ic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 279).
Page 388 of 441

387 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 153) (manual
transmission: to Neutral (
page 149)).
Open the hood (page 274).
Flip up cover from the positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the filter
box (
page 383).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the filter
box with the jumper cable. Clamp cable
to charged battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect the negative terminal4 of
the charged battery with the negative
under hood terminal3 in front of the
filter box with the second jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and4 and
then from the positive terminals2
and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
Page 389 of 441

388 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the SmartKey in the starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the automatic central locking
(
page 143).
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so could
damage the transfer case, which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised (not permissible for vehicles with
4MATIC), the gear selector lever* must be in po-
sition N (manual transmission: gear shift lever in
neutral position) and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1). Oth-
erwise the ESP
® will immediately be engaged
and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever* must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gears disen-
gaged) and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may
be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Page 390 of 441

389 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, switch on the igni-
tion and activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle speeds
of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking, deac-
tivate the automatic central locking
(
page 143).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged
the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 383) and “Jump starting”
(
page 386).
the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP. For information on manually un-
locking the transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 363).
Page 391 of 441
390 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover
Press mark on cover1 or2 in
direction of arrows.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover
Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.
Page 392 of 441

391 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses.
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is located in the main
fuse box in the passenger compart-
ment (
page 392). The fuse chart ex-
plains the fuse allocation and fuse
amperages.
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are located in the vehicle
tool kit in the spare wheel well
(
page 356).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is located in the cov-
er of the auxiliary fuse box in the trunk
(
page 394).The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:
in the passenger compartment on the
driver’s side (
page 392)
on the driver’s side of the engine com-
partment (
page 392)
in the trunk (page 394)
Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 153) (manual
transmission: to Neutral (
page 149)).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 55).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise
you on this subject.