239 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Adjusting air volume
Five blower speeds are available.
Press buttonto decrease or
buttonQ to increase air volume
(
page 234) to the desired level.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out.
The
AUTO display disappears in the
display e (
page 234) and the
automatic mode is switched off. The
selected blower speed appears in the
displaye (
page 234).
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, such as when it is iced up. You
can also use it to defog the windshield and
side windows.
Activating
Press button0 (page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The automatic climate control switches to
the following functions automatically:
maximum blower speed and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)
the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
Deactivating
Press button0 (page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
When the defrost setting has been selected, only
the rear window defroster can be switched on.
No other settings are possible.
iTo switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 234).
244 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
These settings only need to be made once
and the automatic climate control system
will automatically regulate the settings for
all temperature zones quickly and comfort-
ably.
Activating
Adjust the temperature, air volume and
air distribution (
page 234).
Press button; (page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The driver-side settings are used for all
temperature zones.Deactivating
Press button; (page 234) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
iIf you manually set the temperature, air
volume or air distribution for the passenger side
or the rear passenger compartment when the
MONO setting is active, the MONO setting will
be switched off.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on
the coolant temperature
the battery voltage
Regardless of the temperature and air volume
set on the automatic climate control panel, an
interior temperature is aimed at by 72°F (22°C)
and the blower runs on low speed to protect the
vehicle battery.
246 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Activating rear automatic climate
control
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The temperature, air
volume, and air distribution are ad-
justed automatically.
Deactivating rear automatic climate
control
Press button´.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.Operating from the front
Deactivating
Press button> (page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 234), you will see
the >symbol followed by
MODE for
approximately 3 seconds.
Press button´ (page 234).
In displaye (
page 234), you will see
the >symbol followed by
OFF.
The rear automatic climate control is
switched off.Reactivating
Press button> (page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 234), you will see
the >symbol followed by
ON and
MODE. The MODE display is cleared and
the indicator lamp on button>
goes out after approximately
3 seconds.
The rear automatic climate control
switches on.
iThe automatic climate control must be
switched on (
page 236).
iSwitch off the rear automatic climate
control for improved cooling or heating output in
the front passenger compartment.
You can also switch off the rear automatic
climate control from the front passenger com-
partment (
page 246).
321 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter*
Switch on the ignition (page 39).1Cover plate
2Cigarette lighter
Open cover plate1 (page 319).
Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Take out cigarette lighter2.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do injure themselves or start a fire with
the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!The lighter socket can accommodate 12V
DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum of
85 W) designed for use with the standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, however,
that connecting accessories to the lighter socket
(for example extensive connecting and discon-
necting, or using plugs that do not fit properly)
can damage the lighter socket. With the socket
damaged, the lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) position, or the
lighter may pop out too early with the lighter not
hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the
12V power outlets (
page 322) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
!The cigarette lighter is not designed for use
with the electric air pump (
page 501). Use a
power outlet (
page 322) for electric air pump
operation.
iIf the engine is off, and the cigarette lighter
is being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
326 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel*
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is located on the lower left-hand
side of the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp3 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow2.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. Indicator lamp3 goes out.
For information on the steering wheel, see
“Multifunction steering wheel”
(
page 160).
iThe steering wheel heating is temporarily
suspended while indicator lamp3 remains on
when
the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)
the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.
iIndicator lamp3 flashes or goes out
in case of power surge or undervoltage
in case of a steering wheel heating malfunc-
tion
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch or, on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*, when you switch off the ignition
(
page 39) and open the driver’s door.
348 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
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 ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. 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 ESP
® may other-
wise seriously damage the brake system which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
349 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 102).Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 421).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 454).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
361 Operation
At the gas station
Open the fuel filler flap completely.
Turn the fuel cap to the counterclock-
wise 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 overfill.
Replace the fuel cap by turning it clock-
wise 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
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
iLeaving 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 424).
iGasoline engine:
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a min-
imum Posted Octane Rating 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 see “Pre-
mium unleaded gasoline (gasoline engine)”
(
page 541), see “Fuel requirements”
(
page 542), and the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
iDiesel engine:
Only use commercially available 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.