Contents
At the gas station............................... 247
Refueling ...................................... 247
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................... 248
Engine compartment.......................... 250
Hood ............................................ 250
Engine oil...................................... 253
Transmission fluid level ................ 254
Coolant......................................... 255
Trunk ................................................. 256
Batteries....................................... 256
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 257
Tires and wheels ................................ 258
Important guidelines .................... 258
Tire care and maintenance ........... 259
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Loading the vehicle ...................... 261
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 267
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 268
Tire labeling .................................. 274
Load identification........................ 278
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 279
Maximum tire load ....................... 280Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 281
Tire ply material ........................... 283
Tire and loading terminology ........ 284
Rotating tires ............................... 287
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 288
Winter driving .................................... 290
Winter tires* ................................ 290
Snow chains ................................. 291
Maintenance ...................................... 292
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 292
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 293
Calling up the maintenance
service due date........................... 293
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 294
Vehicle care ....................................... 295
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 295
Vehicle washing ........................... 296
Practical hints................................. 298
What to do if ... .................................. 300
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 300
Lamp in center console................ 312
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 314
Symbol messages ........................ 327
Where will I find ...? ........................... 353
First aid kit ................................... 353
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and vehicle
literature portfolio ........................ 353
Compact guide (Canada only) ...... 354
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 355
Unlocking the vehicle................... 355
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 357
Replacing bulbs ................................. 359
Front lamps.................................. 360
Rear lamps ................................... 360
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 361
Removing wiper blades ................ 361
Installing wiper blades ................. 361
236 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
Warning!G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
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. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 303) and
warning messages (
page 314) in the in-
strument cluster come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! If there is a malfunc-
tion in the electro-hydraulic brake system,
we recommend that the vehicle be trans-
ported with all wheels off the ground using
flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 370).
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.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
256 Operation
Trunk
Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two
batteries:
Starter battery in the trunk
Consumer battery in the trunk
These batteries should always be suffi-
ciently charged in order to achieve its rat-
ed service life. A flat battery must be fully
recharged. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz. Have
this work only carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.For more information on battery mainte-
nance, see “Batteries” (
page 367).
Warning!G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills immediate-
ly with clear water. Contact a
physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.
!You must not jump start the vehicle, other-
wise the vehicle electrical systems could be
damaged.
362 Practical hints
Flat tire
The vehicle is equipped with the TIREFIT
kit.
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
Turn off the engine (page 56).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in
the tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).
Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.
Take TIREFIT, the sticker, and the
electric air pump out of the trunk.
Attach the sticker where it will be easily
seen by the driver on the instrument
cluster.
!A wheel change should only be carried out
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Other-
wise there is a danger of damaging the vehicle by
jacking it up incorrectly.
iOpen door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
Warning!G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
Warning!G
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for cuts or punctures larger
than approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
damage caused by driving with extremely
low tire inflation pressure, or on a flat tire, or
a damaged wheel.
Do not drive the vehicle under such
circumstances.
Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center for assistance or call Roadside
Assistance.
!After using TIREFIT, the tire inflation
pressure sensor may have to be replaced.
365 Practical hints
Flat tire
Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electrical air pump back in the trunk.
Close the trunk lid.
Drive off immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.
After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire inflation pres-
sure using the pressure gauge on the
air pump.
If tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct
pressure (see placard on driver’s door
B-pillar) and contact a nearest qualified
workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, to have the
damaged tire replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
A maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at
or below 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
recommended tire inflation pressure.
Warning!G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not
designed to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Warning!G
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar), do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
Have the damaged tire replaced.
Warning!G
Have worn or damaged tires replaced in
pairs (front pair or rear pair) an make sure
the tires rotate in the direction specified
(
page 261). Otherwise, the driving stabili-
ty of the vehicle will be adversely affected,
especially when driving at high speeds.
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.
410 Index
E
Electric air pump 353
Electrical fuses 373
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical data 386
Electro-hydraulic brake system 81, 86,
402
Activation 87
Deactivation 88
Driving hints 88
Emergency operating mode 87
Messages in the multifunction
display 329
Self-check 88, 334
Warning lamp 86
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 166
Tele Aid 215
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp-Home
Mode) 181
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 220
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 104
Unlocking the vehicle 355Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
First aid kit 353
Flat tire 362
Hazard warning flasher 111
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 300
Roadside Assistance 16, 217
Towing the vehicle 370
Emission control 245
Information label 378
System warranties 14
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 378
Engine
Break-in recommendations 234
Cleaning 297
Compartment 250
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 304
Number 378, 400
Poly-V-belt layout 379
Starting 47
Tachometer 29
Technical data 380
Turning off 56Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 253, 391
Adding 254, 389
Additives 253, 391
Checking level 253
Consumption 253
Filler neck 253
Message in the multifunction
display 339
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 391
Temperature 29
Oil temperature indicator 307
Viscosity 400
ESP
®81, 83, 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 318
Resetting 318
Warning lamp 83, 300
ETD 74, 400
Safety guidelines 64
Exterior lamp switch 51, 106
Exterior rear view mirrors 44
416 Index
P
Panic alarm 80
Parcel net in trunk 207
Parking 55, 239
Parking brake 32
Engaging 56
Message in the multifunction
display 334
Releasing 49
Parking lamps 106
Message in the multifunction
display 343
Replacing bulbs 359
Parts service 376
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 70
Passenger compartment 243
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 319–322
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 312Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 235
Performance enhancement system,
Airbrake 89
Phone see Telephone
Poly-V-belt drive 401
Layout 379
Power assistance 236
Power outlet 209
Power train 402
Power washer 297
Power windows 199
Cleaning 297
Operating 199
Synchronizing 201
Practical hints 298
Premium unleaded gasoline 392
Problems
While driving 54
With the vehicle 21
Product information 13
Production options weight 285Program mode selector switch, Automatic
transmission 175, 402
PSI 285
Push starting 367
R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
722 Edition
Radio
Operation 151
Selecting stations 127
Radio transmitters 243
Reading lamp 113
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 185
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 285
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 221
Redial memory 144