Page 335 of 481

334 OperationVehicle carePaintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care 
should be applied when water drops on the 
paint surface do not “bead up”. This should 
normally be done every 3 to 5 months, de-
pending on the climate and washing deter-
gent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner 
should be applied if the paint surface 
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of 
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax 
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the 
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up 
Stick for quick and provisional repairs 
of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from 
stones, vehicle doors, etc.).Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment, 
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with 
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine 
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should 
be protected from any wax. Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces 
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do 
not forget to clean the inner sides of the 
wheels.
!
Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape or 
similar materials to painted body components 
may damage the paintwork.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and 
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently 
locked or unlocked. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 338 of 481

337 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper 
blades
Make sure the hood is fully closed.
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
Turn combination switch to wiper 
settingu (
page 57).
With wiper arms in vertical position, 
switch off the ignition (
page 60).
Fold the wiper arms forward until they 
snap into place.
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a 
clean cloth and detergent solution.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside 
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
!
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor 
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage 
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power 
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance 
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power 
washer.
!
To prevent scratches, never apply strong 
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth 
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to 
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
!
The windshield wipers must be in a vertical 
position before folding them away from the wind-
shield. They could otherwise damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms are 
folded forward.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the 
vehicle’s on-board electronics have 
status0) before cleaning the windshield 
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the 
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and 
cause injury.!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They 
could tear.
 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 339 of 481

338 OperationVehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel 
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong 
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or 
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a 
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change 
color. If this is the case, wait for it to 
dry.
!
Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto 
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in 
the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO 
start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm 
back. If released, the force of the impact from 
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!
To clean the window interior, do not use a 
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the 
front, rear or side windows with hard objects 
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may 
damage the windows.
!
Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid 
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!
The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended period of time immediately after it has 
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims 
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner. 
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads. 
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage 
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after 
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system 
should always be warmed-up before it is parked 
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle 
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry. 
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire 
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care 
products, take care not to spray them on the 
brake disks.
Warning!
G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays 
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or 
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries 
from plastic parts coming loose in the event 
of air bag deployment.
 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 342 of 481
341 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Resetting activated head restraints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 367 of 481
366 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
P
Gear selector lever
in Park position
You have tried to start the engine 
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button with the gear selector lever 
not in positionP.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
You have tried to turn off the engine 
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button with the gear selector lever 
not in positionP.
P/N
Shift gear select. lever
to Neutral or Park
You have tried to start the engine 
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button while the gear selector lever 
was in positionR orD.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP 
orN. Make sure the brake pedal is depressed. 
PRE-SAFE
inoperative
See Operator’s Man.
PRE-SAFE
® itself has failed. All other 
occupant safety systems, such as 
the air bags, are still available.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
as soon as possible. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 379 of 481

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
A 
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station 
(page 283).
Gas cap is open
A loss of pressure has been detected in 
the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be 
closed properly or the fuel system may be 
leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 283).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
»
Replace air cleaner
The air cleaner is clogged.
Have the air cleaner checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
F
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the 
SmartKey.
Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
F
Get a new key
The SmartKey is malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
F
Key
still in vehicle
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the 
vehicle was recognized while locking the 
vehicle from the outside.
Take the SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* out of the vehicle. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 380 of 481

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
F
Please don't
forget your key
This display appears (for a maximum of 
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened 
with the engine turned off and no 
SmartKey in the starter switch.
This message is only a reminder.
Take the SmartKey or SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* with you when leaving 
the vehicle.
Change
key batteries
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 402).
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not 
recognized while the engine is running 
because
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is 
not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so.
Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be cen-
trally locked nor can the engine be 
started again after the engine is 
stopped.
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey 
in the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the 
SmartKey in the starter switch if nec-
essary. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 381 of 481

380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
F
Change
key batteries
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 402).
Key
not detected
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not 
recognized while the engine is running 
because
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is 
not in the vehicle
there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to 
do so.
Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be cen-
trally locked nor can the engine be 
started again after the engine is 
stopped.
Key
not detected
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.
Change the position of the SmartKey in 
the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey 
in the starter switch if necessary.
. 
Active headlamps
inoperative
The active Bi-Xenon* headlamp system is 
malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
Active headlamps
The active Bi-Xenon* headlamps are mal-
functioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.