Contents
At the gas station .............................. 321
Refueling ...................................... 321
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 322
Engine compartment ......................... 324
Hood ............................................ 324
Engine oil ..................................... 326
Transmission fluid level ................ 328
Coolant level ................................ 329
Battery ......................................... 330
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system* ....................................... 331
Tires and wheels ................................ 332
Important guidelines .................... 332
Tire care and maintenance........... 333
Direction of rotation ..................... 335
Loading the vehicle ...................... 335
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 340
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
Tire labeling.................................. 349
Load identification ....................... 353
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 353
Maximum tire load ....................... 355Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 355
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 356
Tire ply material ............................ 358
Tire and loading terminology......... 358
Rotating tires ................................ 361
Winter driving ..................................... 363
Winter tires ................................... 363
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 364
Snow chains.................................. 364
Maintenance....................................... 365
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 365
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 367
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 367
Vehicle care........................................ 368
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 368
Practical hints.................................. 377
What to do if … ................................... 378
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 378
Lamp in center console ................ 391
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 394
Where will I find ...? ............................ 430
First aid kit.................................... 430
Vehicle tool kit, jack and spare
wheel ............................................ 430
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 435
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 435
Locking the vehicle ....................... 436
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever ................................ 437
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 438
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 438
Resetting activated head restraints.... 439
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 440
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 440
Replacing bulbs .................................. 442
Bulbs............................................. 442
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 444
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 447
60 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in
a safe location and turn off the engine.
Allow engine and coolant to cool off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 329).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
322 OperationAt the gas station
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*” (
page 331).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 489).
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and the malfunction indi-
cator lamp? (USA only) or the malfunction
indicator lamp± (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see also “Practical hints”
(
page 382).
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of
96 RON / 86 MON). Information on gasoline
quality can normally be found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
Opening the hood, see (
page 324).
!
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 381).
323 Operation
At the gas station
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 329)
and see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(
page 486).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 326).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 442).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 141).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 341).
327 Operation
Engine compartment
1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 324).
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding engine
oil”.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(
page 486).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 416).Adding engine oil
i
All models (except E 63 AMG):
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
E63AMG:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt. (1.5 l).
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles).
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
329 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the driver’s side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Marking bar in the expansion tank
2Cap
3Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap2 slowly ap-
proximately one half turn counterclock-
wise to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap2 counter-
clockwise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level:
for cold coolant: reaches marking
bar1 in the expansion tank3
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap2.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 491).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any potentially serious
burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
384 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on when
the engine is running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.
Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 329).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below
248°F (120°C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
The red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
driving and you hear a warning
sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).
Stop as soon as possible in a safe lo-
cation and allow the engine and cool-
ant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by open-
ing the engine hood. Stay away from the en-
gine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
412 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
Visit workshop
There may be a malfunction in the:
fuel injection system
ignition system
exhaust system
fuel system
Have the measuring system
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
H
Top up coolant
See Operator’s Manual
The coolant level is too low.
Add coolant (
page 329).
If you have to add coolant frequent-
ly, have the cooling system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!
Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat
causing major engine damage.