499 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Wheel wrench
On whee l to b e c hang ed, l oose n but d o
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench 1).
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.
2Take-up bracket
3Jack
4Crank
Place jack 3 on firm ground.
Position jack3 under the take-up
bracket2 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.
Turn crank4 clockwise until jack 3
is fully seated in take-up bracket2
and the jack base evenly meets the
ground.
Continue to turn crank 4 until the
wheel is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm)
from the ground.
!Do not position the jack on the body of the
vehicle, as this may cause damage to the
vehicle.
Warning!G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
503 Practical hints
Flat tire
Press 0 on electric air pump switch 2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button twice without depressing
the brake pedal.
If the tire inflation pressure is above
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure given in this Operator’s Manual,
release excess tire inflation pressure
using the vent screw.
Detach the electric air pump.
Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electric air pump back in the vehicle
tool kit storage well.Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.
Remove the jack.
1-5Wheel bolts
!Please compare the recommended tire in-
flation pressure for your vehicle with the tire in-
flation pressure on the yellow label located on
the spare wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to
the recommended tire inflation pressure given
on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.Warning!G
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
air pump (
page 501) before lowering the
vehicle.
513 Practical hints
Battery
Connect the positive lead to the posi-
tive terminal and fasten it’s cover
(
page 512).
Connect the negative lead to the nega-
tive terminal (
page 512).
Charging the battery
If the battery is discharged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start contacts
located in the engine compartment
(
page 515).
Charge the battery in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to disconnection):
Set the clock (page 181).
Vehicles with COMAND system with naviga-
tion module*: Time and date are set auto-
matically.
Synchronize the door windows
(
page 254).
Synchronize the power tilt/sliding sunroof*
(
page 260).
Synchronize the power tilt/sliding panel*
(
page 264).
Synchronize the power folding exterior rear
view mirrors* (
page 214).
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
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.
519 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Removing cover
Press mark on cover1 as indicated by
the arrow.
Lift off cover1 to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench from the vehicle toolkit
(
page 473).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt
Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.
Unscrew towing eye bolt.
Store the towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle toolkit
(
page 473).
Engage cover1 at top and press at
bottom.
Installing cover
Engage cover1 at top and press at
bottom.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, espe-
cially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.
547 Index
A
ABS 100
Indicator lamp 420
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 203
Accessory weight 401
Accident 64
Active head restraint 83, 137, 482
Air bags 74
Children 75, 86
Front, Driver 77
Front, Passenger 77
Messages in the multifunction
display 445–448
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 88
Safety guidelines 76
Side impact 78
Window curtain 78
Air conditioning, Cooling 228, 243
Air conditioning refrigerant 540Air conditioning system see
Climate control or
Automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Air distribution 223, 238
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pressure, Tires 401
Air pump, Electric 502
Air recirculation mode 226, 240
Air vents, Front 218, 224, 232, 238
Air vents, Rear 230, 245, 249
Air volume 224, 239
AIRMATIC* 285
Messages in the multifunction
display 470
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 472, 500
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 543, 546
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 212
Antiglare, Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors* 213
Anti-theft systems 107
Anti-theft alarm system 107
Immobilizer 107Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Arm rests, Second-row 141
Armrest storage compartments
Front 313
Rear* 314
Ashtrays* 319
Aspect ratio 401
ATF 370
AUDIO menu 171
CD operation 172
Radio operation 171
Satellite radio* operation 172
Audio search function 188
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 213
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirrors* 213
Automatic central locking, Control
system 189
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