160 Controls in detailControl systemThe following functions are available:
Selecting radio station
Turn on the COMAND system and
select radio. Refer to separate
COMAND system operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the currently tuned station
appears in the multifunction display.1Waveband setting
2Station frequency
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired station is found.
The station search depends on the se-
lected setting in the
Vehicle
submenu
of the control system (
page 176).
Pressing buttonk orj will
either start a frequency scan or select
the next stored radio station.Selecting satellite radio station*
(USA only)
The satellite radio is treated as a radio
application.
Select satellite radio with the
corresponding soft key on the
COMAND system.
1SAT mode
2Channel name or number
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired channel is found.
Function
Page
Selecting radio station
160
Selecting satellite radio station*
(USA only)
160
Operating CD player
161
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You can only store new stations using the
corresponding feature on the radio. Refer to
separate COMAND system operating instruc-
tions.
You can also operate the radio in the usual
manner.
163 Controls in detail
Control system
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the
system. Such messages appear in the
multifunction display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if messages have been
stored.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the vehicle status message
memory appears in the multifunction
display.
If the vehicle status message memory
menu does not appear, no messages have
been stored.If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display:
Press buttonk orj.
The stored messages will now be
displayed in the order in which they
have occurred. For malfunctions and
warning messages, see “Vehicle status
messages in the multifunction display”
(page 428).
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center to address the malfunc-
tion and warning messages (
page 428).
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After you have scrolled through all recorded
status messages, the first recorded message
appears again.
175 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Compass setting
Zone
appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to set the
respective compass zone.
For information on how to call up the
compass, see “Compass” (
page 321).Compass calibration
This function is not available if your vehicle
is equipped with the COMAND system and
navigation module*.
In order to calibrate the compass properly,
mind the following:
Calibrate the compass in open terrain.
Nearby buildings, bridges, power lines
and large antenna masts, for example,
could impair compass calibration.
Switch off electrical consumers (e.g.
climate control, windshield wipers, or
rear window defroster).
Close all doors and the tailgate.
Start the engine (
page 54).
Press buttonæ orç to move
the selection marker to the
Vehicle
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message Compass Calibration
appears in the
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on setting
switched off
.
Press buttonæ to set the selection
marker to
Start
.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display:
Compass Calibration active
Please drive in a full circle
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Make sure you are in area where you can
drive a full circle with your vehicle without dis-
turbing traffic in order to calibrate the compass.
190 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission!
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN (for example when the vehicle
is pulled through a car wash)
do not remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*
do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* and open
the driver’s door
Otherwise, the transmission will shift to park
positionP and lock the wheels, preventing the
vehicle from being pulled through a car wash.
Effect
í
Reverse gear
Shift into reverse gearR only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, avoid shifting into
neutral positionN while driving,
except:
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Shift into neutral positionN only
when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears
are available.
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason in neutral positionN can result in trans-
mission damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle without shifting
into park positionP is dangerous. Also, park
positionP alone is not intended to or capa-
ble of preventing your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 65).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
192 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionRocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR can
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
The engine control system of this vehicle
electronically limits shifting between drive
positionD and reverse gearR to very low
speeds, i.e. approx. 5 mph (9 km/h). To
shift between drive positionD and reverse
gearR, move the gear selector lever past
the resistance point up or down.
Working on the vehicleHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.The hill start assist system is inactive
when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades
with the transmission in neutral
positionN
with the parking brake set
if the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Towing a trailer
If you tow a trailer, note the following
points:
Manually shift to a lower gear range
(page 193) if the transmission hunts
between gears on inclines.
A lower gear range and reduction of
speed reduces the chance to overload
or overheat the engine.
For more information on trailer towing, see
the “Operation” section (
page 342).
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and shift to park positionP.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away.
Warning!
G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as a parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to park positionP.
199 Controls in detail
Transfer case
Transfer case
!
Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynanometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the brakes on a
brake test dynamometer and such testing should
be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
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The vehicle is equipped with full-time
four-wheel drive. Both the front and rear axles
are powered at all times when the vehicle is
being operated.
201 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when
the ignition is switched on
and
incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirror will not react if
the automatic transmission is set to
positionR
the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic con-
ditions and could cause an accident.Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.!
Electrolyte liquid coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can be completely
removed only while in the liquid state and by
applying plenty of water.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
202 Controls in detailGood visibilityPower folding exterior rear view mirrors*
Folding the exterior rear view mirrors
in and out automatically
When the corresponding function in the
control system is activated (
page 178):
The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold in as soon as the vehicle is
locked from the outside.
The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold out as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front pas-
senger door are subsequently opened.Synchronizing exterior rear view
mirrors
The power folding rear view mirrors may
have to be synchronized after the vehicle
battery has been disconnected or dis-
charged. If the exterior rear view mirrors
do not fold properly upon locking or un-
locking the vehicle although the corre-
sponding function in the control system is
activated (
page 178), do the following:
Fold each exterior rear view mirror in
completely (
page 203).
Fold each exterior rear view mirror out
completely (
page 203).
When the exterior rear view mirrors fold
properly upon locking the vehicle, the exte-
rior mirrors are synchronized. Otherwise
repeat the above steps.Folding the exterior rear view mirrors
in and out manually
The button is located on the door control
panel.
1Button for folding exterior rear view
mirrors in and out
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
!
Before you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, fold the exterior rear view
mirrors in. Otherwise they may get damaged.
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The exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if
they are not folded out completely.