Contents
Operation......................................... 243
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 244
Driving instructions ............................ 245
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 245
Drinking and driving ..................... 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ......................... 246
Brakes .......................................... 246
Driving off..................................... 247
Parking ......................................... 248
Tires ............................................. 248
Hydroplaning ................................ 249
Tire traction .................................. 249
Tire speed rating .......................... 250
Winter driving instructions ........... 251
Standing water ............................. 252
Passenger compartment .............. 252
Off-road driving ............................ 253
Driving abroad .............................. 261
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 261
Catalytic converter ....................... 262
Emission control........................... 263
Coolant temperature .................... 263At the gas station .............................. 264
Refueling ...................................... 264
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 265
Engine compartment ......................... 267
Hood ............................................ 267
Engine oil ..................................... 269
Transmission fluid level ................ 273
Coolant level ................................ 274
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system ......................................... 275
Tires and wheels ................................ 277
Important guidelines .................... 277
Tire care and maintenance ........... 278
Direction of rotation ..................... 280
Loading the vehicle ...................... 280
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 286
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 288
Tire labeling.................................. 294
Load identification ....................... 298
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 299Maximum tire load ....................... 300
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 301
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology ........ 304
Rotating tires ............................... 307
Winter driving .................................... 309
Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 311
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 311
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Vehicle care....................................... 314
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 314
304 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
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.
433 Index
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 376
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 103
Checking 103
Battery box
Fuse box in 408
Battery discharged
Jump starting 399
Battery, vehicle 396
Charging 398
Disconnecting 398
Messages in display 344–345
Reconnecting 398
Reinstalling 398
Removing 398
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 310
Blocking rear door window operation 86
B-pillar 412
Brake fluid 266, 425
Message in display 346
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 378
Brake lamp, high mounted 378
Brake lamps
Messages in display 354Brake pads
Message in display 347
Brakes 246
Warning lamp 326–327
Break-in period 244
Brush guard 375
Lowering 375
Raising and securing 375
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 378
Backup lamps 378, 386
Brake lamps 378, 386
Front fog lamps 378, 382
Front lamps 378
Front turn signal lamps 378, 383
High beam lamps 378
High mounted brake lamp 378
License plate lamps 378, 387
Locator lighting lamps 378
Low beam lamps 378
Parking lamps 378, 380
Rear fog lamp 378, 386Rear lamps 378
Rear turn signal lamps 378
Side marker lamps 378, 384
Standing lamps 378, 380
Tail lamp assemblies 378
Tail lamp unit 385
C
Call priority, Tele Aid 235
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator
display 313
Range (distance to empty) 158
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 422
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Expanding 206
Tailgate 105
Tie-down rings 209
Cargo compartment cover blind 214
Installing 214
Removing 214
Rolling out 214
Rolling up 214
Cargo compartment lamps 127
453 Index
Paintwork 316
Power washer 315
Seat belts 321
Side markers 318
Steering wheel 321
Tail lamps 318
Tar stains 315
Turn signals 318
Upholstery 322
Vehicle washing 316
Window cleaning 319
Wiper blades 319
Wood trims 322
Vehicle data recording 20
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 412
Vehicle jack 367
Vehicle loading terminology 304
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen (Tele
Aid) 236
Vehicle status message memory 144
Calling up 144
Clearing 145
Vehicle tool kit 366
Vehicle washing 316
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 412W
Warning indicators
Rear Parking Assist 202
Warning sounds
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt 77
Exterior lighting 65, 104, 117
Maintenance service indicator 313
Parking brake 55
Seat belt telltale 332, 333
Warranty coverage 411
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 315
Wear pattern (tires) 308
Weights and ratings 421
Wheel change
Tightening torque 395
Wheels
Tires and wheels 277
Window curtain air bags 74
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 188
Replacing wiper blades 388
Washer fluid 275, 430
Washer system 430Windshield defroster 180
Activating 181
Deactivating 181
Windshield washer fluid 430
Message in display 365
Mixing ratio 430
Refilling 275
Wiping with 59
Windshield washer system 430
Windshield wipers 25, 58
Fast wiper speed 58
Intermittent wiping 59
Rear window wiper/washer 60
Replacing wiper blades 388
Single wipe 59
Switching on 58
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 59
Winter driving 309
Block heater (Canada only) 310
Snow chains 310
Tires 309
Winter driving instructions 251
Winter tires 309