Page 537 of 705

536 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an au-
tomatic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!
Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper switch is set
to0 (page 351). Otherwise, the rain sensor
could activate and cause the wipers to move un-
intentionally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
i
After running the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe any wax off of the wind-
shield (
page 540). This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by
residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may vi-
brate.
Page 542 of 705

541 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
!
Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents
or cleaners containing solvents. Do not touch
the protective layer with hard objects such as an
ice scraper or ring. Never apply strong force and
only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when clean-
ing the rear part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the pro-
tective layer.
!
Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!
The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads. There-
fore, the vehicle’s brake system should always
be warmed-up before it is parked after cleaning.
To do so, please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
!
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
!
To prevent scratches, do not use scouring
agents.
Page 543 of 705

542 OperationVehicle careHard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham-
poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt. Seat belts
Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp
cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.
!
To prevent scratches, do not use scouring
agents.
!
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the web-
bing at temperatures above 176°F (80°C) or in
direct sunlight.
Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
!
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as these
may be abrasive.
!
S 600 only: Do not cover the luxury active
head restraints*.
Page 579 of 705
578 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electric park-
ing brake flashes and the yellow warning
lamp for the electric parking brake lights
up.
The electric parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake
(page 364).
or
Carefully drive off (
page 364).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
or
Release electric parking brake mechanically
(page 616).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Page 580 of 705

579 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
When you engage or release the electric
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electric parking brake flashes for
approx.10 seconds. Afterward, it goes out
or lights up continuously. The yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electric parking brake lights
up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning
or overheated for example due to over- or
undervoltage.
Carefully drive off (
page 364).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
In the event of overvoltage or undervoltage:
Remove the cause of the overvoltage or und-
ervoltage, e.g. charge the battery or restart
the engine.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake
(page 364).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be re-
leased:
Release electric parking brake mechanically
(page 616).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
(Continued on next page)
(USA only)(Canada only)
Page 581 of 705
580 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
If overheated:
Let vehicle cool down, and do not engage
electric parking brake during this time.
or
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Parking brake
inoperative
When you engage or release the electric
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electric parking brake flashes and goes
out after approx. 10 seconds. The yellow
warning lamp for the electric parking brake
lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage electric parking brake (
page 364).
If the electric parking brake cannot be engaged:
Shift the automatic transmission to P
(page 367).
Protect vehicle from rolling away while
parked by using a chock from the vehicle tool
kit (
page 613).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 586 of 705

585 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
STOP,
car too low
You have started driving although the vehi-
cle level was too low.
The vehicle will be raised. The Airmatic*
warning lamp goes out after several sec-
onds.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
STOP,
car too low
The Airmatic* is malfunctioning.
The Airmatic* warning lamp lights up con-
tinuously.
Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(page 401).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Malfunction
The capability of the Airmatic* system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 596 of 705
595 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Third brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have stopped working.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Corner. lamp,
Left
The left-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 621).
Corner. lamp,
Right
The right-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 621).
Low beam,
Left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Bi-Xenon headlamp:
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.