Page 286 of 481

285 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the
reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 292).
2Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil lev-
el, see “Engine oil” (
page 287).
3Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” (
page 451).
4Coolant level
For more information on the coolant
level, see “Coolant level” (
page 290).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 404).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 128).Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 302).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (page 344).
Page 288 of 481

287 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull release lever1.
The hood is unlocked.
1Lever for opening the hood
Push lever1 on the hood upwards.
Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
!
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and endanger you and/or others.
i
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies. Us-
ing special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. More
information on this subject is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 293 of 481

292 OperationEngine compartmentWindshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Cap for windshield washer reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approximately 6.9 US qt
(6.5 l).During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” to
water. Premix the windshield washer fluid
in a suitable container.
Use the tab to pull cap1 upwards.
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and water (or commercially available
premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio”
(
page 456).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.!
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below freezing
point. Failure to do so could result in damage to
the washer system/reservoir.
!
Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Page 328 of 481

327 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system
Add MB Concentrate “S” to a premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 456).
Battery test
Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged
battery helps to make sure that the
engine can be started, even at low am-
bient temperatures.
Tire change
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed
specifically for use in snow conditions. Use
of winter tires is the only way to achieve
the maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such
notices are available at your tire dealer or
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Page 337 of 481

336 OperationVehicle careHeadlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic system sensor cover
Switch off the ignition (
page 60).
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.
Restart the engine after cleaning sen-
sor cover1.
Cleaning the Parktronic* system
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors in the front
bumper
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors1 on the bumpers.
!
Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!
To prevent scratches or damage, never ap-
ply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratch-
ing cloth when cleaning the sensor cover1. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.
Page 358 of 481

357 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:
Text messages (
page 358)
Symbol messages (
page 370)
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
i
Switching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and multifunction display are in working
order before starting your journey.
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.
Page 383 of 481

382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Front left
marker lamp
The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front right
marker lamp
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front left park. lamp
Auxiliary bulb on
The left front parking lamp is malfunction-
ing. An auxiliary bulb is being used.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 404).
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front right park. lamp
Auxiliary bulb on
The right front parking lamp is malfunc-
tioning. An auxiliary bulb is being used.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 404).
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
High beam
left side
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 404).
High beam
right side
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 404).