309 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 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
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures (
page 430).
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 ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
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 M+S and
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.
Using winter tires is the only way to
achieve the maximum effectiveness of the
ABS, ESP
® and 4-ETS in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure 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
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 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.
310 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 417).
Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o a d v i s e y o u o n t h i s
subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 92) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.
315 Operation
Vehicle care
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the
factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the
body cavities which will last for the lifetime
of the vehicle. Post-production treatment
is neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.Power washer
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
!Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on maintaining a
distance between the vehicle and the nozzle of
the power washer.
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash tires.
The intense jet of water can result in damage to
the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface. Do not aim directly at electrical parts,
electrical connectors, sensors, seals, or other
rubber parts.
336 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the inside of the
fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Advanced Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the Advanced TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the Advanced TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
USA only: Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a Advanced TPMS malfunc-
tion indicator to indicate when the system is
not operating properly. The Advanced TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately 1 minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended.
Advanced TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the installa-
tion of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the Ad-
vanced TPMS from functioning properly. Al-
ways check the Advanced TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en-
sure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the Advanced TPMS to
continue to function properly.
343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressure
monitor
inoperative
No wheel
sensorsThere are wheels without appropriate wheel sensors
mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Wheel sensor
missingOne or more sensors malfunction (e.g. battery is
empty).
The respective tire is indicated by - - - instead of the
tire inflation pressure in the multifunction display.Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter.
One or more wheels without appropriate wheel sen-
sors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by - - - instead of the
tire inflation pressure in the multifunction display.Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the appropriate wheel sensors installed at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HCaution
Tire defectOne or more tires are deflating.
The respective tire is shown in the
multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 391).
Check
tiresThe tire pressure in one or more tires
is already below the minimum value.
The respective tire is shown in the
multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 391).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
362 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HCorrect the
tire pressureThe pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Check and correct tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 288).
Tire pressure
Caution
Tire defectOne or more tires are deflating.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 391).
Tire pressure
Check tiresThe tire pressure in one or more tires
is already below the minimum value.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 391).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
368 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
CD changer
The CD changer is located on the driver’s
side of the cargo compartment.
CD changer
For information on CD changer operation,
see separate COMAND system operating
instructions.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under a cover
on the outside of the vehicle’s tailgate.
For information on rim and tire specifica-
tions, see “Rims and tires” (
page 416).
Removing cover
1Tab
Fold tab1 downwards.2Cover ring
3Cover plate
Pull cover ring2 slightly outwards in
direction of arrows and remove.
Pull cover plate3 towards you.