232 Controls in detail
Useful features
Wait for a voice connection to the
Response Center.
Close cover1 after the emergency
call is concluded.Roadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
1Button to open telephone tray
2Armrest cover
3Roadside Assistance button•
Press button1 and lift up armrest
cover2.
Press and hold button3 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
Connecting
call
will appear in the multifunction
display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
Warning!G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle
occupants.
iWhile the call is connected you can change
to the navigation menu by pressing the NAV
button on the COMAND system headunit.
233 Controls in detail
Useful features
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance Manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:
Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Button to open telephone tray
2Armrest cover
3Information button¡
Press button1 and lift up armrest
cover2.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the
Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 230) if the
indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays
on longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network was not available).
The message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated
using thet button on the multifunction
steering wheel or the END button on the
COMAND system headunit.
234 Controls in detail
Useful features
Press and hold button3 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting call will appear
in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and services
is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you
separately) to learn more (USA only).
iWhile the call is connected, you can change
to the navigation menu by pressing the NAV
button on the COMAND system headunit.
iThe indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the Roadside
Assistance button•).
See system self-check (
page 230) if the
indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays
on longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not available).
The message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display.
Information calls can be terminated using
thet button on the multifunction steering
wheel or the END button on the COMAND
system headunit.
235 Controls in detail
Useful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are
active, an Emergency call is still possible.
In this case, the Emergency call will take
priority and override all other active calls.Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle at the time
arranged with the Response Center
and press the tailgate lock for a
minimum of 20 seconds until the
SOS button is flashing.
The message
Connecting call
appears in the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flashing
after pressing one of the buttons or remain
illuminated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid
system has detected a malfunction or the
service is not currently active, and may not
initiate a call. Visit your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center and have the
system checked or contact the Response Center
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as
possible.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective button
flashes until the call is concluded. Emergency
calls can only be terminated by a Response
Center or Customer Assistance Center repre-
sentative, whereas Roadside Assistance and
Information calls can also be terminated using
thetbutton on the multifunction steering
wheel or the END button on the COMAND
system headunit.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not reset, contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer
Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
236 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Response Center will then unlock your
vehicle with the remote door unlocking
feature.Stolen Vehicle Recovery services
In the event your vehicle was stolen:
Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered
incident report.
Pass this number on to the
Mercedes-Benz Response Center along
with your password issued to you when
you subscribed to the service.
The Response Center will then attempt
to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is
located, the Response Center will
contact the local law enforcement and
you. The vehicle’s location will only be
provided to law enforcement.
Garage door opener
The integrated remote control is capable of
operating up to three separately controlled
devices. It provides a convenient way to
replace up to three hand-held remote
controls used to operate devices such as
garage door openers, gate openers, or
other devices compatible with HomeLink
®
or some other systems.
Before the integrated remote control can
be used, it must be programmed to the
garage door opener, gate operator or other
device you wish to operate. See the follow-
ing instructions for programming informa-
tion.
iThe remote door unlock feature is
available if the relevant cellular phone network
is available.
The SOS button will flash and the message
Connecting call will appear in the multi-
function display to indicate receipt of the door
unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center
specialist may attempt to establish voice contact
with the vehicle occupants.
If the tailgate lock was pressed for more than
20 seconds before door unlock authorization
was received by the Response Center, you must
wait 15 minutes before pressing the tailgate lock
again.
iWhen the anti-theft alarm stays on for more
than 30 seconds, a call is initiated automatically
to the Response Center. For more information,
see “Anti-theft systems” (
page 96).
247 Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 90).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on although the
parking brake is released (
page 326).
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear
(
page 338).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so the air stream will cool down the
brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 175).
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP
® switched off. Doing so may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
254 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level with the
control system (
page 270). The
message
Engine oil level OK must
appear in the multifunction display.
Only then can the vehicle obtain a
trouble-free oil supply, even on steep
gradients.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:
Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof closed.
Switch cruise control off.
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty, and steeper the
terrain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.
Be especially careful when driving in
unknown territory. It may be necessary to
get out of the vehicle and scout the path you
intend to take.
Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps, and ruts.
Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive at
moderate engine speeds (max. 3 000 rpm).
Before driving through water, determine its
depth.
Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.
In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
allowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.
Always drive on slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
Inspect the vehicle for possible damage after
each off-road trip.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 288) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!If a engine oil level warning message
(
page 351) appears in the multifunction
display while driving, stop the vehicle in a safe
location or as soon at is safe to do so. Check the
engine oil level (
page 270).
The engine oil level warning messages should
not be ignored. Extended driving with the
message displayed could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
263 Operation
Driving instructions
Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible limits required by law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments on the engine should,
therefore, be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center autho-
rized technicians.
Engine adjustments should not be altered
in any way. Moreover, the specified service
jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing
requirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximately
248°F (120°C).The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
iExcessive coolant temperatures trigger a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 348).
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 opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine 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.