Contents
At the gas station .............................. 321
Refueling ...................................... 321
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 323
Engine compartment ......................... 325
Hood ............................................ 325
Engine oil ..................................... 327
Transmission fluid level ................ 329
Coolant level ................................ 330
Battery ......................................... 331
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 332
Tires and wheels ................................ 333
Important guidelines .................... 333
Tire care and maintenance........... 334
Direction of rotation ..................... 336
Loading the vehicle ...................... 336
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 341
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 342
Tire labeling.................................. 350
Load identification ....................... 354
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 355
Maximum tire load ....................... 356
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 357Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 357
Tire ply material ............................ 359
Tire and loading terminology......... 359
Rotating tires ................................ 362
Winter driving ..................................... 364
Winter tires ................................... 364
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 365
Snow chains.................................. 365
Maintenance....................................... 366
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 366
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 368
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 368
Vehicle care........................................ 369
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 369
Practical hints.................................. 379
What to do if … ................................... 380
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 380
Lamp in center console ................ 393
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 396
Where will I find ...? ............................ 432
First aid kit.................................... 432
Spare wheel .................................. 432
Luggage box ................................. 433
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 434
Vehicle jack .................................. 434
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 436
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 436
Locking the vehicle ....................... 437
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 438
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 439
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ......................... 439
Resetting activated head restraints.... 440
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 441
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 441
23 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
Trunk
Unlocking
120
Opening and closing
120,
122
Spare wheel
432
Vehicle tool kit
434
2
Rear lamps
445
3
Rear window, defrosting
203
4
Fuel filler flap
321
Gasoline
496
5
Doors
Locking and unlocking
110
Opening and closing
119
Item
Page
6
Towing eye bolt
468
General information
466
7
Rims and tires
481
Checking tire inflation
pressure
342
Spare wheel
432
Flat tire
452
8
Front lamps
444
9
Hood, opening
325
Engine oil
327
Coolant
330
Item
Page
a
Windshield wipers
58
Wiper blades, replacing
450
Wiper blades, cleaning
374
b
Window, cleaning
374
c
Roofs
Power tilt/sliding sun-
roof
242
Panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel*
245
d
Exterior rear view mirror
47
Parking position
136
e
Headlamp cleaning system*
198
314 OperationDriving instructionsThe treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temper-
atures).For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 333).
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
could lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
324 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 332).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc.” (
page 491).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 330)
and see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(
page 491).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 327).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 443).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 137).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 342).
!
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 383).
333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
Important guidelines
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths of less than
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged
The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use Genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.
334 OperationTires and wheelsTire care and maintenance
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month. For more informa-
tion on checking tire inflation pressure,
see “Recommended tire inflation pres-
sure” (
page 341).Tire inspection
Every time you check your tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following:
excessive treadwear (
page 335)
cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber
bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Make sure you also inspect the spare tire
periodically for condition and inflation.
Spare tires will age and become worn over
time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
Driving style
Tire inflation pressure
Distance driven
Warning!
G
Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam-
aged tires can cause tire inflation pressure
loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
6 years, regardless of the remaining tread.
336 OperationTires and wheelsDirection of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning) of
the tire.
Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.
1) The Tire and Loading Information
placard can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar. This placard tells you im-
portant information about the number
of people that can be in the vehicle and
the total weight that can be carried in
the vehicle. It also contains information
on the proper size and recommended
tire inflation pressures for the original
equipment tires on your vehicle.
2) The certification label, also found on
the driver’s door B-pillar tells you about
the gross weight capacity of your vehi-
cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel and cargo. The certification label
also tells you about the front and rear
axle weight capacity, called the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).The GAWR is the total allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle
(front or rear). Never exceed the GVWR
or GAWR for either the front axle or
rear axle.
1Driver’s door B-pillar
Following is a discussion on how to work
with the information contained on the two
placards with regards to loading your vehi-
cle.
i
Spare wheels may be mounted against the
direction of rotation (spinning) even with a unidi-
rectional tire for temporary use only until the reg-
ular drive wheel has been repaired or replaced.
Always observe and follow applicable temporary
use restrictions and speed limitations indicated
on the spare wheel.
341 Operation
Tires and wheels
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Your vehicle is equipped with either the
Tire and Loading Information placard locat-
ed on the driver’s door B-pillar
(page 336).The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be ad-
justed on cold tires. The tires can be con-
sidered cold if the vehicle has been parked
for at least 3 hours or driven less than
1 mile (1.6 km).
Follow recommended cold tire inflation
pressures listed on Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar.
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
In addition to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar, also consult the fuel filler flap for
any additional information pertaining to
special driving situations. For more infor-
mation, see “Important notes on tire infla-
tion pressure” (
page 342).1Tire and Loading Information placard
with recommended cold tire inflation
pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard
lists the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures for maximum loaded vehicle
weight. The tire inflation pressures listed
apply to the tires installed as original
equipment.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.
i
Data shown on placard examples are for il-
lustration purposes only. Tire data are specific to
each vehicle and may vary from data shown in
the illustrations below. Refer to placard on vehi-
cle for actual data specific to your vehicle.