Contents
Emission control .......................... 373
Coolant temperature .................... 374
At the gas station .............................. 375
Refueling ...................................... 375
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 377
Engine compartment ......................... 379
Hood ............................................ 379
Engine oil ..................................... 381
Transmission fluid level ................ 382
Coolant level ................................ 382
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 384
Tires and wheels ................................ 385
Important guidelines .................... 385
Tire care and maintenance........... 386
Direction of rotation ..................... 388
Loading the vehicle ...................... 388
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 394
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 396
Tire labeling.................................. 406
Load identification ....................... 410
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 410Maximum tire load ........................ 412
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 412
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 413
Tire ply material ............................ 415
Tire and loading terminology......... 415
Rotating tires ................................ 418
Winter driving ..................................... 420
Winter tires ................................... 420
Snow chains.................................. 421
Maintenance....................................... 422
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 422
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 424
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 424
Vehicle care........................................ 425
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 425
Practical hints.................................. 435
What to do if … ................................... 436
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 436
Lamp in center console ................ 448
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 451
Where will I find ...? ............................ 495
First aid kit.................................... 495
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 495
Spare wheel .................................. 499
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 500
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 500
Locking the vehicle ....................... 501
Fuel filler flap ................................ 501
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 503
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 503
Resetting activated head restraints.... 504
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 506
Replacing bulbs .................................. 508
Bulbs............................................. 508
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 511
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 515
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 518
23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Tailgate124
Power tailgate*125
Cargo compartment
Loading instructions303
Cargo tie-down rings304
Hooks306
Expanding306
Cover blind312
Cargo net*313
Vehicle tool kit495
Spare wheel499
2Rear window defroster215
3Rear lamps509
4Fuel filler flap375
Refueling375
Fuel376,
563
ItemPage
5Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting52
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*211
Power folding*211
6Towing
Installing towing eye bolt542
7Tires and wheels385,
554
Checking tire inflation
pressure396
General information385
Flat tire523
Spare wheel499
8Hood379
Opening379
Engine oil381
Coolant382
ItemPage
9Windshield wipers63
Wiper blades, replacing520
Wiper blades, cleaning431
aWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid65
Cleaning431
bRoof rails297
Carriers*298
cPower tilt/sliding sunroof*253
dDoors
Locking and unlocking114
Opening and closing122
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency500
eFront lamps509
fHeadlamp cleaning system*210
359 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (
page 381).
Only with a proper oil level can the
vehicle obtain a trouble-free oil supply,
even on steep gradients.Tires
Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire inflation pressure
(a placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures is located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 389)).
Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
Replace missing valve caps.
Rims
Dented or bent rims can cause tire in-
flation pressure loss and damage the
tire beads. For this reason, check and,
if necessary, change rims before driv-
ing off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
Check if the vehicle jack (page 497)
is functional.
In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.
In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as al-
lowed 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 onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
Do not shift automatic transmission to
positionN.
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 396) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!If the engine oil level warning lamp
(
page 476) comes on while driving, stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon at is safe to
do so. Check the engine oil level (
page 381).
The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
364 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving on sand
When driving on sand, observe the follow-
ing rules:
Set the raised level (page 281).
Avoid high engine speeds.
Shift automatic transmission into a
gear range that is appropriate for the
terrain.
In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
conditions permit. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and re-
duce the likelihood of the vehicle sink-
ing into the ground.
Drive in tracks of other vehicles if they
are not too deep and you have suffi-
cient clearance.
Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other by-
ways have deep ruts which can cause the
underbody to come in contact with the
ground.
Make sure the off-road driving program
(
page 279), or if equipped, the LOW
RANGE mode* (
page 203) is
switched on.
Set the raised level (page 281).
Avoid high engine speeds.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 200).
Drive next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.
If the ruts are too deep to drive in, drive
with one side of the vehicle on the
grassy center strip if the route permits.
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 396) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
!Check that the ruts are not too deep and
your vehicle’s clearance is sufficient. Otherwise:
your vehicle may be damaged
the underbody of the vehicle may come in
contact with the ground and you may get
stuck
416 Operation
Tires and wheels
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.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross Trailer Weight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
433 Operation
Vehicle care
Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Steering wheel
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner
Use a soft bristle brush or a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of
excessive dirt.Seat belts
Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.
!Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
!The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat
belts at temperatures above 176°F (80°C) or in
direct sunlight.
Warning!G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
564 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Diesel engine
Only use commercially available vehicular
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL
(15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM).
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.Gasoline additives (gasoline engine)
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for a listing of approved product(s).
Follow directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary costs and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel
additives other than those tested and approved
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
582 Index
Multifunction display messages 451
ABS 453
Air suspension 490
Air suspension package* 490
Brake fluid 472
Brake lamps 481
Brake pads 470
Check engine 472
Coolant 475
Cruise control 454
Distronic* 455
Doors 478
Downhill Speed Regulation 470
EBP 471
Engine coolant 473, 475
Engine oil 476
ESP® 441
Fog lamps, Front 481
Fog lamps, Rear 484
Front passenger front air bag 463,
464, 465, 466
Fuel cap 478
Gear selector lever 461
Headlamps 481, 483, 484, 486
Hood 478Key, SmartKey 480
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 479, 480
Lamps 481, 483, 484, 486
Low tire pressure 467, 488, 489
Parking brake 461, 471
Parking lamps 482
Tele Aid 487
Telephone* 487
Turn signals 486
Vehicle battery 469
Windshield washer fluid 487
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 158
Button operation 158
N
Navigation system* 168
See separate COMAND System
operating instructions
Net, Cargo* 313
Net, Parcel 320
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 192
New vehicle, Break-in period 348
Night security illumination 148, 179
Normal occupant weight 417
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 550O
Occupant distribution 417
Occupant safety 74
Active head restraint 92
Air bags 76
Children and air bags 77, 93, 96
Children in the vehicle 93
Fastening the seat belt 54
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 82, 85, 86
Infant and child restraint systems 94
LATCH-type child seat anchors 97
OCS* 81
OCS*, Messages in the multifunction
display 463, 464, 465, 466
Seat belts 54, 78
OCS* 81
Self-test 86
Odometer 156, 157, 164