370 Practical hints
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.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised 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 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.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in neutral
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in neu-
tral positionN and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, 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).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of dam-
age to the transmission, however, we recom-
mend the drive shaft be disconnected at the rear
axle drive flange for any towing beyond a short
tow to a nearby garage.
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 electro-hy-
draulic brake system
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
371 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(
page 86).
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.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2 the
vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well
as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 139) and switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 94).
iThe gear selector lever will remain locked in
park positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is disconnected
or discharged. See notes on the battery
(
page 367).
389 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent ser-
vice fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
CapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission8.5 US qt (8.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle2.3 US qt (2.2 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 85
Power steeringapprox. 1.15 US qt (1.1 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Brake system1.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
392 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.Premium unleaded gasoline
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 Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin or cloth contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors can damage 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 gasoline and fill up with
premium unleaded gasoline 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 exceed 2/3 of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain.
399 Technical terms
ABS
(A
nti-lock Braking System)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 284)
ACL
(A
irbrake/Central Locking)
Controls the locking mechanism of the
Airbrake and the central locking
system.
Air pressure
(
page 284)
Aspect ratio
(
page 284)
Bar
(
page 284)BAS
(B
rake Assist System)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 284)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer Assistance Center)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a
breakdown.CAN system
(C
ontroller Area Network)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 284)
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.
402 Technical terms
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles,
including
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axles
Production options weight
(
page 285)
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic trans-
mission between sport operation (S),
comfort operation (C) and manual
operation (MAN).
PSI
(P
ounds per square inch)
(
page 285)Recommended tire inflation pressure
(
page 285)
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the
engine has been turned off.
Rim
(
page 285)
RON
(R
esearch Octane Number)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Electro-hydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of park
position P without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(page 285)
SRS
(S
upplemental Restraint System)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
405 Index
A
ABS 81, 399
Indicator lamp 29, 302
Messages in the multifunction
display 316, 317
ABS/ESP
®
Warning lamp 29, 300
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 173
Accessory weight 284
Accident 54
ACL 399
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Additional turn signals, Exterior
mirror 360Air bags 62
Children 63
Front, Driver 65
Front, Passenger 66
Head-thorax 65, 66
Knee 66
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70
Safety guidelines 64
Air conditioning system see Automatic cli-
mate control
Air distribution 191, 192
Air pressure 284
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 195
Air vents 187
Air volume 191, 193Airbrake 31, 89
Automatic mode 91
Emergency braking 91
Manual mode 90
Message in the multifunction
display 327
Test Mode 90
Warning lamp 29, 307
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 390, 396
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 182
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 92
Immobilizer 92
Tow-away alarm 94
Anti-theft wheel nuts 288
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 206
407 Index
B
Backup lamp 360
Messages in the multifunction
display 344
Bar 284
BAS 83, 399
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 101
Replacing 357
Batteries, Vehicle 256
Charging 368
Consumer battery 367
Jump starting 367
Maintenance 367
Messages in the multifunction
display 327
Starter battery 256
Batteries, vehicle
Consumer battery 256
Battery charger 369
Bead 284
Bi-Xenon headlamps 399
Body surface 295Brake
Electro-hydraulic brake system 86
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake disks
Wear 238
Brake fluid 389, 392
Checking 248
Messages in the multifunction
display 330
Brake lamps 360
High mounted 360
Messages in the multifunction
display 341
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 334
Wear 238
Brakes 236
Excessive loads 238
Warning lamp 29, 303
Break-in period 234
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 341
Replacing 359C
CAC 399
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 15
Call priority, Tele Aid 220
CAN system 399
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 389
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette player 154
Catalytic converter 244
CD changer 158
Location 159
CD player 127
Cellular phone
Delayed switch-off time 212
Making calls in hands-free mode 213
Making calls in private mode 212
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Center storage compartment 207