Page 102 of 585

101 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 413).
Off-road – ESP
®
With the off-road driving program switched
on (
page 268), the ESP
® designed for
off-road use is automatically activated. At
speeds below 27 mph (45 km/h), the
ESP
® assists in over-/understeering, thus
improving vehicle traction.
ESP® Trailer Stabilization
If the trailer you are towing should begin to
sway, the rig can only be stabilized by
immediately applying the brakes hard.
Steering during this maneuver will not help
to stabilize the rig.
ESP® will assist you in such situations.
ESP® recognizes when the trailer starts
swaying and will apply the brakes to re-
duce the vehicle speed to a non-critical
speed that allows the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation to stabilize.The ESP
® Trailer Stabilization is functional
at vehicle speeds above approximately
40 mph (65 km/h) when the ESP
® is
switched on.
EBP
The EBP enhances braking effectiveness
by allowing the rear brakes to supply a
greater proportion of the braking effort
without a loss of vehicle stability.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 416) and
(
page 448).
Warning
G
The system will not be able to assist when
the trailer jackknifes
on wet or icy roads
on roads with slippery surface
in sand or gravel
Trailers with a high center of gravity may tip
over before the system recognizes swaying
of the trailer.
i
If the ESP
® has switched off due to a mal-
function, ESP® cannot stabilize the rig.
Warning!
G
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning. However, the rear
wheels may lock during hard braking, caus-
ing you to lose control over the vehicle and
possibly causing an accident. Adjust your
driving style to the non-operating status of
the EBP.
Page 103 of 585

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.
Page 104 of 585

103 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) on the starter
switch once.
The engine is turned off.
Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 39).
With KEYLESS-GO*
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
a door
the tailgate
the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when
the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key, see “Unlocking the vehicle”
(page 475)
a door is opened from the inside, see
“Opening the doors from the inside”
(page 118)
i
Starting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
Page 105 of 585

104 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after you have
locked the vehicle with the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
The alarm system indicator lamp is located
to the lower left of the hazard warning
flasher.
1Alarm system indicator lamp
Make sure all doors and the tailgate are
closed.
Lock the vehicle (
page 68).
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
The alarm system is armed within ap-
proximately 10 seconds. Alarm system
indicator lamp1 flashes.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock the vehicle (
page 38).
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed. Indicator lamp1 goes out.
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid* system
(
page 308) provided that the Tele Aid* service
was subscribed to and properly activated, and
that necessary cellular service and GPS cover-
age are available.
i
If the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:
a door
the tailgate
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
i
The alarm system will rearm automatically
again after approximately 40 seconds if neither a
door nor the tailgate is opened.
Page 106 of 585
105 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or
Press theŒ or ‹button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
Page 140 of 585

139 Controls in detail
Lighting
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 172) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 172).
Fog lampsFront fog lamps
Switch on the low beam
headlampsB (
page 136).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 136).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Switch on the low beam
headlampsB (
page 136).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
second stop.
The rear fog lamp switches on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 136).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromU toB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.i
Fog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
permissible lamp operation.
i
Fog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To switch on the fog lamps, turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB first.
Page 167 of 585
166 Controls in detailControl systemThe table below shows what settings can
be changed within the various menus.
Detailed instructions on making individual
settings can be found on the following
pages.INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TIME/DATE
LIGHTING
VEHICLE
COMFORT*
(page 167)
(page 169)
(page 171)
(page 174)
(page 177)
Selecting speedometer
display mode
Setting the time (hours)
Setting daytime running
lamp mode (USA only)
Compass adjustment
Activating
easy-entry/exit
feature*
Selecting language
Setting the time (minutes)
Setting locator lighting
Compass calibration
Setting fold-in func-
tion* for exterior rear
view mirrors
Selecting display (digital
speedometer or outside
temperature) for status in-
dicator
Setting the date (month)
Setting night security
illumination
Audio search function
Setting the date (day)
Setting interior lighting
delayed shut-off
Setting automatic
locking
Setting the date (year)
Limiting opening
height of tailgate*
Page 172 of 585

171 Controls in detail
Control system
Lighting submenu
Access the
Lighting
submenu via the
Settings
menu. Use the
Lighting
submenu to change the lamp and lighting
settings on your vehicle.
The following functions are available:
Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Lamp circuit
headlamp
appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to select
manual operation (
Manual
) or daytime
running lamp mode (
Constant
).
With daytime running lamp mode activated
and the exterior lamp switch at
positionMorU, the low beam
headlamps are switched on when the
engine is running.In low ambient light conditions the
following lamps will switch on additionally:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
For more information on the daytime
running lamp mode, see “Lighting”
(
page 136).
Function
Page
Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)
171
Setting locator lighting
172
Setting night security illumination
172
Setting interior lighting delayed
shut-off
173
i
This function is not available in countries
where the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory and therefore in a constant mode.
i
For safety reasons, changing the setting for
the daytime running lamp mode is not possible
while the vehicle is in motion. The following
message appears in the multifunction display:
Settings
only possible
at standstillFor safety reasons, resetting to factory settings
(page 165) while driving will not deactivate the
daytime running lamp mode.