306 OperationTires and wheelsAll-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identificationIn addition to tire load rating, special load
information may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating
the tire speed rating1 (
page 306).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snowflake sym-
bol.marking on the tire sidewall. These tires
meet specific snow traction performance re-
quirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Associ-
ation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
324 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 Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. 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 underbody, do not for-
get 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 car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
To protect the filter system, switch the
automatic climate control to air
recirculation mode (
page 191).
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 (1 m), the ve-
hicle could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
!
Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!
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.
!
Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 57). Otherwise, the rain sen-
sor could activate and cause the wipers to move
unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle dam-
age.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent dam-
age to the mirrors.
328 OperationVehicle careLight 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.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry
thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
!
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.
Warning!
G
Do not use cleaners containg solvents or
cockpit care sprays to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel boss. Cleaners contain-
ing solvents will make the surface porous
and vehicle occupants could suffer serious
injuries from plastic parts coming loose in
the event of air bag deployment.
!
Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.
!
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.
329 Operation
Vehicle care
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner
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.
!
The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat
belts 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.
Warning!
G
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers
may interfere with or prevent the activation
of the active head restraints. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
!
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as these
may be abrasive.
339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
E
The white Distronic* indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a preceding vehicle.
E
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 271).
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 271).
380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
F
Key
still
in vehicle
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left
in the vehicle was recognized while
locking the vehicle from the out-
side.
Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* out of
the vehicle.
.
3rd brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
AUTO light
inoperative
The light sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automati-
cally.
In the control system, set lamp operation to
manual mode (
page 159).
Switch on headlamps using the exterior lamp
switch.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
left
Auxiliary bulb on
The left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. An auxiliary bulb has been
brought into use.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Right
Substitute
bulb on
The right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A substitute bulb has been
brought into use.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front foglamp
left
The left front fog lamp or left cor-
ner-illuminating front fog lamp is
malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Marker lamp
rear right
The rear right side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
front left
Auxiliary bulb on
The front left parking or standing
lamp is malfunctioning. An auxiliary
bulb has been brought into use.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).
Parking lamp
front right
Auxiliary bulb on
The front right parking or standing
lamp is malfunctioning. An auxiliary
bulb has been brought into use.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).
Rear foglamp
left
The left rear fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Reverse lamp
left
The left backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).
Reverse lamp
right
The right backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).
Turn signal
left mirror
The turn signal in the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
383 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Turn signal
right mirror
The turn signal in the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror is mal-
functioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes
have stopped working.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp
left
Auxiliary bulb on
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
An auxiliary bulb has been brought
into use.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp
right
Auxiliary bulb on
The right tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. An auxiliary bulb has been
brought into use.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn off
lights
You have removed the SmartKey
from the starter switch and opened
the driver’s door or removed the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from
the vehicle and left the headlamps
on.
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
orU.
Turn signal
front left
Auxiliary bulb on
The left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. An auxiliary bulb
has been brought into use.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).
Turn signal
front right
Auxiliary bulb on
The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. An auxiliary bulb
has been brought into use.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 397).