154 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
Function
Page
Checking tire inflation pressure
375
Checking coolant temperature
154
Calling up digital speedometer
or outside temperature
155
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
403
Checking engine oil level
(ML 500)
358
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
335 Operation
Driving instructions
Off-road driving rules
Engage the off-road driving program
(page 268) before driving under
off-road conditions.
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Make sure you select a vehicle level
(page 270) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.
Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 281).
Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(page 265) to help maintain a preset
speed.
!
Observe the following during off-road
driving:
Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof* closed whenever driving
off-road.
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty and steeper the ter-
rain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.
Be especially careful when driving in un-
known territory. It may be necessary to get
out of the vehicle and scout the path you in-
tend to take.
Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.
Before driving through water, determine its
depth.
Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.
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 375) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
340 OperationDriving instructionsWhen driving over tree stumps, big rocks
and other obstacles, observe the following
rules:
Make sure the off-road driving program
(page 268) is switched on.
Avoid high engine speeds.
Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 193).
Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.
Cross obstacles (e.g. tree stumps or
big rocks) very slowly by aiming one of
the front wheels at the center of the ob-
stacle, and repeat same with the rear
wheel.Driving on sand
When driving on sand, observe the follow-
ing rules:
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Set the raised level (
page 270).
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
allowed by conditions. This helps over-
come the vehicle rolling resistance and
reduce the likelihood of the vehicle
sinking into the ground.
Drive in tracks of other vehicles if they
are not too deep and if 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 268) is switched on.
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Set the raised level (
page 270).
!
Special attention is needed when you cross
obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a result of its
possible slanted position which in turn may
result in the vehicle tipping or rolling over.
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 375) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
353 Operation
At the gas station
Open the fuel filler flap completely.
Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.
Take off the fuel cap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.
Replace the fuel cap by turning it
clockwise until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
!
The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel filler
neck. Do not drop the cap. It could damage the
vehicle paint finish.
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and the ?malfunction
indicator lamp (USA only) or the± malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (Canada only) comes on.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 417).
i
Gasoline engine: Only use premium unlead-
ed gasoline with a minimum Posted Octane Rat-
ing of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline (gasoline engine)”
(
page 547), see “Fuel requirements”
(page 548), and the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
i
Diesel engine: Only use commercially avail-
able vehicular diesel fuels No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM
D975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D). Information on diesel
quality can normally be found on the fuel pump.
The sulfur content in diesel fuel should not
exceed 50 parts per million (ppm). When using
diesel fuel with a sulfur content of above
300 ppm, the engine oil interval should be
shortened.
For more information on diesel fuels, refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!
Diesel engine:
The engine is more susceptible to wear and
damage if you use
marine diesel fuel
heating oil
additives
The use of such non-approved fuels and/or
special additives is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
548 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricantsIn 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 Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet 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.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Fuel requirements
Gasoline engine
Only use premium unleaded fuel.
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) /2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.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
diesel fuels No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM D975 No.
2-D or No. 1-D).
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.
!
Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be dam-
aged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
566 IndexMON 353, 548
Multicontour seat* 130
Multifunction display 147
Changing settings see Control
system menus and Control system
submenus
Selecting display 168
Selecting language 167
Multifunction display messages 428
ABS 430
Air suspension package* 467
Brake fluid 449
Brake lamps 458
Brake pads 447
Check engine 449
Coolant 452
Cruise control 431
Distronic* 432
Doors 455
Downhill Speed Regulation 447
EBP 448
Engine coolant 450, 452
Engine oil 453
ESP
®
419Fog lamps, Front 458
Fog lamps, Rear 461
Front passenger front air bag 440,
441, 442, 443
Fuel cap 455
Gear selector lever 438
Headlamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Hood 455
Key, SmartKey 457
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 456, 457
Lamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Low tire pressure 444, 465, 466
Parking brake 438, 448
Parking lamps 459
Tele Aid* 464
Telephone* 464
Turn signals 463
Vehicle battery 446
Windshield washer fluid 464
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 148
Button operation 148N
Navigation system* 161
See separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Net, Parcel 297
Net, Partition* 287
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 185, 189
New vehicle, Break-in period 324
Night security illumination 139, 172
Normal occupant weight 396
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 530
O
Occupant distribution 396
Occupant safety 70
Active head restraint 80
Air bags 71
Children and air bags 73, 82, 84
Children in the vehicle 82
Fastening the seat belt 51
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 86, 89, 90
Infant and child restraint systems 82