517 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 104) and the
automatic central locking (
page 130).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicles with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the starter switch is
in position2 (
page 39).
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in positionN and the starter switch must be in
position2 (
page 39).
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be in the respective starter switch
positions as described above. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter switch or
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is removed
from the vehicle, the automatic transmission will
shift to park positionP, see “Starter switch posi-
tions” (
page 39).
518 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
Example illustration R 500
1Towing eye cover
Example illustration R 500
1Towing eye cover
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the towing eye. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the ignition in position2 (
page 39), the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel is turning at a
speed of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 130).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged,
the automatic transmission will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 506) and “Jump starting”
(
page 514).
Warning!G
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the cover, because the rear exhaust pipe is
extremely hot.
520 Practical hints
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses. They are included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 473):
Fuse chart
The fuse chart explains the fuse alloca-
tion and fuse amperages.
Spare fuses
Fuse extractor
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:
on the passenger side of the engine
compartment (
page 521)
in the cargo compartment
(
page 521)
in the passenger compartment
(
page 522)Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 66).
Make sure automatic transmission is
set to position P (
page 199).
The gear position indicator in the
multifunction display should be on
P.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 67).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch to position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from starter switch). The
driver’s door can then be closed
again.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
548 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 232
Air conditioning, Cooling 243
Air conditioning refrigerant 540
Air distribution 238
Air recirculation mode 240
Air vents, Front 232, 238
Air vents, Rear 245, 249
Air volume 239
Control panel, Front 234
Control panel, Rear 245
Deactivating system 236
Defogging 240
Defrosting 239
Maximum cooling, MAX COOL 240
Rear passenger compartment 245
Residual heat utilization (REST) 244
Automatic headlamp mode 147
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 154
Automatic locking when driving 130
Automatic shift program 206Automatic transmission 197
Accelerator position 203
Automatic shift program 206
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 211
Gear ranges 205
Gear selector lever 54, 197
Gear shifting malfunctions 211
Hill start assist system 204
Kickdown 203
Kickdown, manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only) 211
Manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only) 209
Program mode selector switch 206
Shifting procedure 200
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 207
Transmission fluid level 370
Transmission positions 201
Automatic transmission fluid see ATF
AUX-socket 311B
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 136
Seat, Multicontour* 136
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 463–468
Replacing bulbs 484
Bar 401
BAS 102
Lamps in instrument cluster 420
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 112, 116
Checking battery condition 115, 120
Battery, Vehicle 506
Charging 513
Disconnecting and connecting 508
Jump starting 514
Removing and installing 508
Bead 401
551 Index
D
Date display, Setting 181
Daytime running lamp mode 148
Setting 183
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 225, 240
Defrosting, Front 224, 239
Defrosting, Rear 217
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 185
Interior lighting 186
Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel engine
Bleeding fuel system 505
Preglow indicator lamp 29
Diesel fuel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 63
With starting 57
Digital speedometer 159, 167
Dimensions, Vehicle 536
Direction of rotation (tires) 375Displays
Digital speedometer 159, 167
Distronic* 174, 274
Maintenance service indicator
message 407
Messages in the multifunction
display 433–471
Multifunction display 159
Outside temperature 158, 159, 167
Selecting 180
Showing malfunctions 175
Symbol messages 451
Text messages 435
Vehicle status message memory 174
Vehicle system settings,
Control system 163, 165, 176
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 191
Distance warning function* 191Distronic* 271
Activating 277
Cleaning system sensor 414
Control system 276
Deactivating 280
Distance warning function* 284
Driving hints 282
Messages in the multifunction
display 437
Warning and indicator lamps 274
Door
Entry lamps 155
Locking, In an emergency 479
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 112
Messages in the multifunction
display 460
Opening from the inside 122
Opening from the outside 113
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 336
Unlocking, Mechanical key 478
554 Index
Fog lamp, Front see Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps*
Fog lamp, Rear 150
Messages in the multifunction
display 466
Replacing bulbs 484
4-ETS 106
Front air bags 77
Front defroster 224, 239
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front
air bag 77, 88, 93, 431
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 31, 77, 88, 93, 431
Front seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 518
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 407
Fuel 360, 539, 541
Additives 542
Capacities, Fuel tank 539Consumption statistics 191
Filling the tank 360
Fuel filler flap and cap 360
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 430
Premium unleaded gasoline 360,
541, 542
Requirements, Octane rating 542
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 460
Fuel filler flap 360
Locking/unlocking 360
Opening 360
Opening in an emergency 479
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 538
Fuses 520
Fuse box, Cargo compartment 521
Fuse box, Engine compartment 521
Fuse box, Passenger
compartment 522
Fuse chart 472, 520
Fuse extractor 472, 520
Replacing 520
Spare fuses 472, 520G
Garage door opener* 337
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 401
Gear range
Automatic transmission 205
Limiting 205
Shifting into optimal 208
Gear selector lever 25, 54, 197
Gearshift pattern 54, 197
Message in the display 443
Messages in the multifunction
display 443
Position 200
Shifting procedure 200
Transmission position 201
Global locking/unlocking see
Key, SmartKey
Glove box 311
Good visibility 212
556 Index
I
Identification label see Labels
Identification labels
Certification label 527
Ignition 40, 54, 67
Immobilizer 107
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation
pressure
Information button see Tele Aid*
Infrared reflecting windshield* 344
Inside door handle 122
Instrument cluster 26, 156
Illumination brightness 157
Lamps 420
Messages in the multifunction
display 433–471
Multifunction display 159
Selecting language 179Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 153
Delayed switch-off 186
Interior rear view mirror 48
Antiglare position 212
Auto-dimming* 213
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers 61
J
Jack 472, 474
Jacking up the vehicle 498
Jump starting 514K
Key, Mechanical 478
Key, SmartKey 112
Batteries 115, 483
Battery check lamp 112
Checking battery condition 115
Closing the power windows
Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing the tilt/sliding panel*
(Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing, Power tailgate* 127
Factory settings 113
Locking/unlocking 38, 68, 112
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 114
Loss of 115
Messages in the multifunction
display 461–462
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 254
Opening the tilt/sliding panel*
(Summer opening feature) 254
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 254
557 Index
Remote control 112
Replacing batteries 483
Selective settings 114
Starter switch positions 39
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 67
Unlocking and opening, Power
tailgate* 115
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Batteries 120, 483
Battery check lamp 116
Checking battery condition 120
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing the tilt/sliding panel*
(Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 256
Closing/locking, Power
tailgate* 128
Factory settings 119
Important notes 117
Locking/unlocking 39, 68, 116
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 119
Loss of 121Messages in the multifunction
display 461–462
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 254
Opening the tilt/sliding panel*
(Summer opening feature) 254
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 254
Remote control 116
Replacing batteries 483
Selective settings 119
Start/stop button 41
Starter switch positions 39, 41
Starting the engine 55
Turning off engine 67
Unlocking and opening, Power
tailgate* 121
Kickdown 203
Kilopascal 402L
Labels 526
Certification label 526
Emission control information 527
Engine number 527
Paint code 526
Vacuum line routing diagram 527
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) 527
Lamps, exterior 485
Front 485
Light sensor, Messages in the multi-
function display 463
Messages in display 465
Messages in the multifunction
display 463–468
Rear 485
Lamps, Indicator and warning
ABS 27, 420
Brakes 27, 421
Center console 31, 431
CHECK ENGINE 29, 423, 424
Engine diagnostics 29, 423, 424
ESP
®27, 425