Page 362 of 595

361 Operation
Driving instructions
Traction in steep terrain
The maximum vehicle climbing ability is a
100% grade which is equivalent to a slope
angle of 45 degrees. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends on
terrain conditions.
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.Driving across a hilltop
Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not
shift automatic transmission to
positionN), to prevent the vehicle from
speeding up too much after climbing a hill.
Use the momentum of the vehicle to drive
across the hilltop.
After climbing a hill, driving in this manner
prevents the vehicle from:
losing ground contact when cresting
hills
losing its forward momentum
speeding up too much after climbing
the hillDriving downhill
Drive slowly.
Do not drive at an angle to the incline.
Steer into the line of gravity and drive
with the front wheels pointing straight
downhill. Otherwise, the vehicle may
slide sideways off the path and roll
over.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 200).
On steep inclines, use the Downhill
Speed Regulation (
page 275).
Utilize the engine’s braking power to
reduce vehicle speed.
If this is insufficient, apply the brake
gently. Make sure the vehicle is moving
in the line of gravity.
Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.
iThe hill start assist system supports you
when driving uphill.
For more information, see “Hill start assist sys-
tem” (
page 199).
iThe 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out on
a steep incline when the front wheels have then
the tendency to slip due to the weight shifting
towards the rear axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and limits the
torque for the front wheels by braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear wheels is
increased.
iVehicles with enhanced off-road package*
are equipped with automatic locks for the center
and rear axle differential to improve vehicle
traction.
Page 420 of 595

419 Operation
Tires and wheels
In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 388).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 495) and
(
page 523).
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
Page 529 of 595
528 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.
Remove the jack.
1-5Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Store jack and all other vehicle tool kit
items back into the storage well.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
iThe removed road wheel cannot be stored in
the spare wheel well under the cargo compart-
ment floor, but should be transported in the car-
go compartment wrapped in a protective cover.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.
Page 590 of 595

589 Index
Hands-free microphone 34
Inserting in cradle 330
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 331
Messages in the
multifunction display 487
Operation 189
Phone book 190
Redialing 191
Rejecting/ending a call 190
Removing from cradle 331
Tray 318
Temperature
Coolant 164
Display mode, Status indicator 175
Interior temperature 221
Interior temperature, setting see
Climate control or Automatic climate
control (3-zone)*
Outside temperature 165
Sensor, Interior temperature 218,
232
Sensor, Outside temperature 156
Setting display unit 165Tether attachment points, see Children in
the vehicle
Third-row sunshade 214
Three-zone Automatic climate control see
Automatic climate control (3-zone) *
Ticket holder 321
Tie-down rings 304
Tightening torque
Screws, Basic cross bars* 300, 301,
302
Wheel bolts 528
Tilt/sliding sunroof* see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof*
Time 176
TIN 410, 417
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 389
Terminology 415
Tire Identification Number see TINTire inflation pressure
Checking manually 396
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only) 402
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only) 399
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 394
Tires 385, 554
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 402
Air pressure 415
Care and maintenance 386
Chains 421
Cleaning 387
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation, Spinning 388
Driving instructions 353
Hydroplaning 354
Important guidelines 385
Page 593 of 595

592 Index
Vehicle status message memory
menu 169
Vehicle tool kit 495
Vehicle washing 427
VIN 551
Voice control system*
Button on multifunction steering
wheel 30, 158
Hands-free microphone 34
W
Warning indicators
Parktronic* 292
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 274
Distronic* 265
Exterior lamps 145
Parking brake 61
Parktronic* 294
Seat belt telltale 88Warranty coverage 10, 549
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 567
Washing the vehicle 425
Wear pattern, Tires 419
Weights, Vehicle 559
Wheel
Bolts 496
Change 524
Removing 526
Spare 499, 524
Tightening torque 528
Wheel, Tires and 385
Wheels
Sizes 555
Window curtain air bags 80
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning 431
Windshield
Cleaning 431
Cleaning wiper blades 431
Cleaning, Windshield washer fluid 65
Defogging 224, 238
Infrared reflecting* 345
Washer fluid 384, 561, 567Windshield washer fluid
Messages in the
multifunction display 487
Mixing ratio 567
Refilling 384
Reservoir level 384
Wiping with 65
Windshield washer system 384, 567
Windshield wipers 63
Cleaning wiper blades 431
Fast continuous wiping 64
Fast intermittent wiping 64
Rear window wiper/washer 65
Replacing wiper blades 520
Slow continuous wiping 64
Slow intermittent wiping 64
Winter driving 420
Snow chains 421
Tires 420
Winter driving instructions 355
Winter tires 420
Wood trims, cleaning 434