
switches in sequential order (center, rear,
front) (Y page 94). When the transfer case
(center) differential is locked, half of the
engine’s power is automatically distributed to
the front wheels and half to the rear wheels.
When the rear differential is locked, power
going to the rear wheels is equally distributed,
so that both rear wheels turn at the same
speed and torque. Please be aware that
engaging the differential locks will
significantly reduce the steering ability of the
vehicle.
For your safety and the safety of others and
to prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads. It is important to
understand that during on-road/paved
driving, differentials are absolutely necessary
for providing the essential control and
steering ability of the vehicle. The differential
locks, therefore, must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads and should only be
used to the extent necessary to negotiate off-
road conditions which cannot be handled by
the systems (the 4-ETS, the ESP®, and the
manual switch position “LOW” of transfer
case) this vehicle comes equipped with.
Switching differential locks on and off
The switches are located on the upper part of
the center console.
:Transfer case (center) differential lock;Rear axle differential lock=Front differential lock?Engagement indicator lamps (yellow)AFunction indicator lamps (red)
The differential locks can only be switched on
in the sequence :, ;, =.
Switching differential locks on
! To avoid damage to the transfer case and
differential locks:
REngage the differential locks only at low
speed (walking speed, not more than
5 mph [8 km/h]).
RDo not engage the differential locks if the
driving wheels are spinning due to lack
of traction.
RDo not engage the differential locks on
paved roads.
Transfer case differential lock
XPress switch :.
Yellow engagement indicator lamp ? for
the transfer case differential lock comes
on.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on.
When the differential lock engagement
operation has been completed, the red
function indicator lamp A comes on.
The message ABS not available 
differential locked appears in the
multifunction display.
The ESP® warning lamp d and the !
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster come
on.
Once the transfer case differential lock is
switched on, you can now, if needed, switch
on rear axle differential lock ;, or switch on
rear axle differential lock ; and front
differential lock =.
94Differential locksControls in detail
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GWarning!
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear.
Traction in steep terrain
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
iThe 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out
on a steep incline when the front wheels
have then the tendency to slip due to the
weight shifting away from the front axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and
limits the torque for the front wheels by
braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear
wheels is increased.
Driving across a hilltop
Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not shift
automatic transmission into neutral position
N), to prevent the vehicle from speeding up
too much after climbing a hill.
Use the momentum of the vehicle to drive
across the hilltop.
After climbing a hill, driving in this manner
prevents the vehicle from:
Rlosing ground contact when cresting hills
Rlosing its forward momentum
Rspeeding up too much after climbing the hill
Driving downhill
RShift automatic transmission into gear
range 1 (Y page 89).
RDrive downhill observing the same rules as
driving uphill (Y page 181).
iThe special LOW RANGE – ABS
(Y page 51) setting allows for precise and
brief (cyclical) blocking of the front wheels,
permitting them to dig into loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the front
wheels slide across a surface and thus lose
their ability to steer the vehicle.
Driving through water 
:Fording depth, 20 in (50 cm)
RBefore driving through water, determine its
depth.
! The water depth must not exceed 20 in
(50 cm). The ground under the water might
not be firm which could result the water
being deeper than expected when driving
the vehicle through it. Please note that the
water level is correspondingly lower for
flowing water.
RComply with the warnings (Y page 179) and
rules for off-road driving (Y page 180).
RSwitch off the exterior lamps as well as the
climate control.
RShift automatic transmission into gear
range 1 or 2 (Y page 89).
RAvoid high engine speeds.
REnter and leave the water only at a shallow
spot, driving at walking speed.
! Never accelerate before driving into the
water. The bow wave could force water into
the engine and auxiliary equipment, thus
damaging them.
RDrive through the water slowly and at a
constant speed.
RDo not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.
182Driving instructionsOperation
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! Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the wheel
bolts and wheel hub threads.
XRemove the wheel.
Attaching the spare wheel
GWarning!
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged
or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tightened
wheel bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use
the correct wheel bolts.
GWarning!
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.
Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
XClean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel
hub.
! To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt.
XGuide the spare wheel onto the wheel hub
and push it on.
XInsert the wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
Lowering the vehicle
XUsing the pump handle, turn the release
bolt of the jack counterclockwise
approximately one turn.
iNever turn the release bolt of the jack
more than one or two revolutions.
Otherwise hydraulic fluid can escape.
XLower the vehicle until the vehicle is resting
fully on its own weight.
XRemove the jack.XTighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence illustrated
(: to A), until all bolts are tight. Observe
a tightening torque of 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
GWarning!
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
XDisassemble the pump handle.XPress the jack piston in and close the
release bolt.
XStore the jack and the other vehicle tools
in the designated storage space.
XAfter changing the wheel, secure the
damaged wheel on the spare wheel carrier
(Y page 195). Make sure the wheel cannot
come loose.
XCheck the tire inflation pressure and
correct it if necessary.
Follow recommended cold tire inflation
pressures listed on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar (Y page 161).
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