Page 491 of 705

490 OperationAt the gas station
Take off fuel filler cap and set it in di-
rection of arrow 2 in the recess on the
inside of fuel filler flap 4.
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 over-
fill.
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long tripExample illustration from S 5501Coolant level
2Brake fluid
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
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 noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of
96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be found in the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp ± to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints”
section (
page 547).
i
Opening the hood (
page 492).
Page 499 of 705

498 OperationEngine compartmentThe coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.Example illustration from S 5501Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: reaches the white
marking (plastic bridge) inside the cool-
ant expansion tank
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap1.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 665). Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
The washer fluid reservoir is located on the
left-hand side of the engine compartment
when looking in the direction of travel. It
supplies the windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system* with
washer fluid.S 550 with Airmatic1Cap
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
Page 613 of 705

612 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Vehicle jack
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.
Turn crank handle in direction of arrow
as far as it will go.
Operational position
Turn crank handle clockwise.
Before storing the vehicle jack in its
compartment:
It should be fully collapsed.
The handle must be folded in (storage
position).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.
Page 614 of 705
613 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor.
1Minispare wheel with spare wheel bolts
in container on wheel rim
2Luggage bowl
3Vehicle tool kit, jack and collapsible
wheel chock
Removing the Minispare wheel
Turn luggage bowl2 counterclock-
wise.
Remove Minispare wheel1.Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate
Tilt both plates upward1.
Fold the lower plate outward2.
Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
Page 615 of 705
614 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the
driver’s door and the trunk using the me-
chanical key. Removing the mechanical key
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 in the direction of
arrow.
Slide mechanical key2 out of the
housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocking
2Mechanical key
Insert mechanical key2 into the driv-
er’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key2 counterclock-
wise to position1.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
Pull door handle quickly.
The locking knob moves up.
Turn back mechanical key2 and re-
move.
Pull door handle again.
i
Unlocking the driver’s door and/or the trunk
with the mechanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system (
page 75).
To cancel the alarm, insert the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter
switch.
Page 617 of 705

616 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyMechanically releasing the electric parking brake
The mechanical release device for the
electric parking brake is underneath the
fuel filler flap next to the fuel cap.
1Fuel filler flap
2Release tool
3Protective cap
Shift the automatic transmission to P
(page 367).
Place chock from vehicle tool kit
(page 611) under a rear wheel.
Open fuel filler flap1.
Remove protective cap3.
Screw release tool2 from vehicle tool
kit clockwise 2 to 3 rotations onto re-
lease lever.
Pull release tool2 in direction of ar-
row.
The electric parking brake is released.
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster for the electric parking
brake flashes. The message “Parking
brake See Oper. Manual” appears on
the driver’s display.
After it has been unlocked, you can engage
the electric parking brake again from the
driver’s seat.
Press the electric parking brake handle
(page 364).
Warning!
G
If you mechanically release the electric
parking brake, the vehicle may start to move
on its own. Make sure that no one is in front
of or behind the vehicle. Otherwise, an acci-
dent could occur resulting in injury or fatali-
ty. Shift the automatic transmission to P and
secure your vehicle in place using the chock
from the vehicle tool kit.
i
You must pull the release tool with more
force if the electric parking brake cannot be re-
leased.
!
Reattach protective cap
3
after you have
mechanically released the electric parking
brake.
Page 618 of 705
617 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
You can open or close the tilt/sliding sun-
roof or tilt/sliding panel manually should
an electrical malfunction occur.
The drive mechanism is behind the left sun
visor.
1Cover
Remove cover1.2Crank
Take crank2 from the Operator’s
Manual pouch.
Switch on the ignition (
page 315).
Insert crank2 through the hole.
Turn crank2 clockwise to:
slide roof panel/sunroof closed
raise roof panel/sunroof at the rear
Turn crank3 counterclockwise to:
slide roof panel/sunroof open
lower roof panel/sunroof at the
rear
i
Turn crank2 slowly and smoothly.
The tilt/sliding sunroof (
page 442) or tilt/slid-
ing panel (
page 446) must be synchronized af-
ter being operated manually.
Page 625 of 705

624 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs1Cover 1
2Cover 2
3Cover 3
Removing and installing washer fluid
reservoir on left-hand side
Vehicles with Airmatic*
You must remove the washer fluid reser-
voir in order to change the bulbs of the
front headlamp on the left-hand side. The
washer fluid reservoir is on the front
left-hand side of the engine compartment.
Washer fluid reservoir (example illustration
from S 550)1Retaining screw
Removing
Turn retaining screw1 counterclock-
wise.
Take washer fluid reservoir out of
mounting.
Place washer fluid reservoir to the side
and do not disconnect any wires or ca-
bles.Installing
Guide washer fluid reservoir into
mounting so that the bottom retaining
lug slides into the rubber sleeve on the
longitudinal member.
Turn retaining screw1 clockwise.
Bi-Xenon headlampsWarning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
om me n d tha t yo u hav e su ch work don e by a
qualified technician.