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.
538 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
products tested and approved by
Mercedes Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterR320CDI
R350
R500
R63AMG9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
10.1 US qt (9.6 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission9.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case0.53 US qt (0.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Front axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
541 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional
information.Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine)
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere. Under extremely strenuous
operating conditions, this moisture content
can lead to the formation of bubbles in the
system, thus reducing the system’s
efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with gasoline and the in-
halation of gasoline vapors are damaging to
your health.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and per-
formance, premium unleaded gasoline must be
used. If premium unleaded is not available and
low octane fuel is used, follow these precau-
tions:
Have the fuel tank only partially filled with
unleaded regular and fill up with premium
unleaded as soon as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation.
Do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such
as two persons and no luggage.
Do not exceed2/3of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain.
546 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system
Both the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid
reservoir has a capacity of approx.
8.0 US qt (7.6 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:
1part “MBSummerFit” to 100parts
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1gal [4.0l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
549 Index
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine) 505
Bolts, Spare wheel 500
Bottle opener 317
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 541
Checking 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 454
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 413
Messages in the multifunction
display 463–468
Replacing bulbs 484
Brake pads 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 452
Brakes 348
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 350
Warning lamp 421
Break-in the vehicle 346
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbsC
California retail buyers and lessees,
Important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid* 336
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 538
Card holder 32, 317
Cargo compartment
Tie-down rings 299
Cargo compartment cover blind* 306
Cargo tie-down rings 299
Carpets, Cleaning 417
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) 357
CD changer* 172, 311
CD player 172
Center console 31
Central locking 189
Automatic 130
Locking/unlocking from the
inside 130
Central locking switch 130Certification label 526, 527
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 423, 424
Checking tire pressure electronically
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 388
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 385
Child safety
Infant and child restraint systems 85
Children in the vehicle 84
Air bags 75, 86
Blocking rear door window
operation 97
Indicator lamp, Front passenger front
air bag 92
Infant and child restraint
systems 93, 95
LATCH-type child seat anchors 93
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 88
Cigarette lighter* 321
550 Index
Climate control 218
Air conditioning, Cooling 228
Air conditioning refrigerant 540
Air distribution 223
Air recirculation mode 226
Air vents, Front 218, 224
Air vents, Rear 230
Air volume 224
Control panel, Front 220
Control panel, Rear 230
Deactivating system 222
Defogging 225
Defrosting 224
Rear passenger compartment 229
Residual heat utilization (REST) 229
Clock 26, 181
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 401
Collapsible tire 475, 534
Collapsible wheel chock 475
Combination switch 59, 60, 62, 150
Compass 342
Control system 186
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 357Control system 159
Multifunction display 159
Multifunction steering wheel 160
Resetting to factory default 176
Control system menus 162
AIRMATIC*/Compass 174
AMG Menu 168
AUDIO 171
Distance warning function* 191
Distronic* 174
Navi* 173
Settings 176
Standard display 166
TEL* 193
Trip computer 191
Vehicle status message memory 174
Control system submenus 163, 165
Comfort* 189
Instrument cluster 179
Lighting 183
Time/Date 181
Vehicle 186Coolant 370, 539, 543
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 543
Capacities 539
Checking coolant level 370
Messages in the multifunction
display 455–457
Temperature 359
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 151
Fog lamps, Front 149
Messages in the multifunction
display 464
Replacing bulbs 484, 485
Cruise control 266
Activating 267
Messages in the multifunction
display 436
Cup holders 316
Front center console 316
Rear center console 318
Curb weight 401