102 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems4-ETS
The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under
slippery road conditions. The brakes are
applied to the spinning wheel and power is
transferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster, starts to flash at any vehicle
speed, as soon as a tire loses traction and
the wheel begins to spin.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 414) and
(
page 428).
Off-road - 4-ETS
With the off-road driving program switched
on (page 268), the 4-ETS designed for
off-road use is automatically activated.
i
If conditions require, switch on off-road
driving program (
page 268).
Warning!
G
When you see ESP
® warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, then pro-
ceed as follows:
While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.
Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resul-
ting from excessive speed.
!
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.
i
If the yellow ESP
® warning lampv
comes on while driving, the 4-ETS is being
switched off temporarily to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes. In addition, the
message
ESP inoperative See Operator’s
Manual appears in the multifunction display.
309 Controls in detail
Useful features
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on).
The message
Tele Aid
– inoperative
appears in the multifunction display.
i
The SOS button is located in the overhead
control panel (
page 33).
The Roadside Assistance button•
(
page 312) and the Information button¡
(page 313) are located below the center arm-
rest cover.
!
The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the GPS (G
lobal
P
ositioning S
ystem) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
i
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
COMAND system audio is muted and the select-
ed mode (radio, CD etc.) pauses. The optional
cellular phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this phone, we rec-
ommend that you use it only with the vehicle at a
standstill in a safe location. Remove the phone
from the cradle and place the call. The naviga-
tion* system (if engaged) will continue to run.
The display in the instrument cluster is available
for use, and spoken commands are only avail-
able by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND
system. A pop-up window will appear in the
COMAND system display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the TeleAid call has
ended, the optional cellular phone inserted in the
cradle switches on again. A PIN entry might be
necessary.
310 Controls in detailUseful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 311) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp on the SOS button will
begin to flash. The message
Connecting call
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
Call connected
appears in the multifunction display. All in-
formation relevant to the emergency, such
as the location of the vehicle (determined
by the GPS satellite location system), vehi-
cle model, identification number and color
are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to
determine more precisely the nature of the
accident provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message Tele Aid
– inoperative
is displayed in
the multifunction display after the system
self-check, a malfunction in the system has
been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
430 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
inoperative
See Operator’s Manual
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off.
The ESP
® and the BAS are also
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ABS was deactivated because of
insufficient power supply. The charg-
ing voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
431 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
the electronic traction system switches
on again.
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears and the ESP
® warning
lampv goes out.
The self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a
short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise control and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative
The cruise control is malfunctioning.
Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Cruise control
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the
speed (
page 245).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.
Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.
Release the parking brake
(page 57).
432 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Accelerate to a speed exceeding 20 mph
(30 km/h) and set the speed (
page 250).
The ESP
® is switched off.
Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.
Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 57).
inoperative
Override
The Distronic* or the Distronic*
display are malfunctioning.
Have the system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
You have accelerated. The
Distronic* has switched off.
Stop accelerating.
436 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
inoperative
See Operator’s Manual
In addition, the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® has detected a malfunc-
tion and switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
In addition, the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
In addition, the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated because of
a malfunction or interrupted power
supply.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
445 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
No wheel sensors
There are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure monitor
Wheel sensor missing
One or more sensors defect (e.g. battery is
empty).
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire pressure for the respective tire is shown in
the multifunction display.
Tire pressure monitor
currently
unavailable
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to
a nearby radio interference source.
excessive wheel sensor temperatures.
As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been
removed, the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* automati-
cally becomes active again after a few minutes driv-
ing.