Batteries, SmartKey
Checking condition ..........................61
Replacing ....................................... 232
Battery, Vehicle ................................. 243
Charging ........................................ 244
Jump starting ................................. 244
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 212
Bead (tire) .......................................... 177
Beverage holders see Cup holders
Brake Assist System
see BAS
Brake fluid
Checking level ............................... 157
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 208
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 194
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 208
Brakes ................................................ 182
Parking brake ................................... 88
Warning lamp ................................. 220
Break-in period .................................. 150
Brush guard ....................................... 232
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) ... 21
California retail buyers and
lessees, important notice for ............. 19
Calls (phone) ...................................... 113
Can holders see Cup holders
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................. 260
Cargo compartment
Cargo volume, expanding ..............130
Cover blind .................................... 132
Tie-down rings ............................... 130
Cargo compartment cover blind ...... 132
Cargo tie-down rings ......................... 130
Carpets, cleaning .............................. 196
Central locking
Automatic ................................ 62, 111
Locking/unlocking from inside ........63
SmartKey ......................................... 60
Central locking/unlocking switch ..... 63
Certification label .............................. 254
Children in the vehicle
Air bags ........................................... 33
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation
system ............................................. 37
Child safety locks (rear doors) .........50
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) ........................................... 49
Indicator lamp, front passenger
front air bag off ................................ 37
Infant and child restraint systems .... 47
ISOFIX (Child seat anchors –
LATCH-type) ..................................... 49
Override switch ................................ 50
Safety notes ..................................... 46
Tether anchorage points ..................48
Top tether ........................................ 48
Child safety
see Children in the vehicle
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) see Children in the vehicle
Chrome-plated exhaust tip,
cleaning .............................................. 197
Cigarette lighter ................................ 136
Climate control system
Air conditioning ............................. 123
Air conditioning refrigerant ............262
Air distribution ............................... 125
Air recirculation mode ...................126
Air volume ..................................... 125
Automatic mode ............................ 123
Deactivating system ......................123
Front defroster .............................. 125
Residual heat and ventilation .........126
Temperature .................................. 124
Cockpit ................................................. 25
Cold tire inflation pressure .............. 177
COMAND system see separate COMAND system
operating instructions
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Locking/unlocking ........................... 60
Loss of ............................................. 61
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 210
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ...........................84
Opening and closing the windows .... 84
Remote control ................................ 60
Replacing ......................................... 62
Replacing batteries ........................232
Restoring to factory setting .............61
Selective setting .............................. 61
Starter switch positions ...................65
Kickdown ............................................. 91
Kilopascal (air pressure unit) ........... 178
L
Labels
Certification ................................... 254
Emission control information .........255
Tire and Loading Information
placard ........................................... 165
Tire inflation pressure ....................160
Lamps, exterior
Exterior lamp switch ........................74
Front .............................................. 234
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 215
Switching on/off .............................. 74
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS .......................................... 26, 220
Brakes ........................................... 220
Engine malfunction ..................26, 225
ESP ®
........................................ 26, 223
Fog lamps ........................................ 76
Front passenger front air bag
off ............................................ 37, 227
Fuel tank reserve .....................26, 224
High-beam headlamps .....................77
Instrument cluster .........................219
Low-beam headlamps ......................75
Low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale ........................226
Seat belt telltale ......................44, 222
SRS .................................... 26, 32, 223
Turn signals ..................................... 26
Language, selecting .......................... 108
LATCH-type child seat anchors (ISOFIX)
see Children in the vehicle
License plate lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 216
Light alloy wheels, cleaning ............. 196
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting ................................................ 74
Daytime running lamp mode ............76
Exterior ............................................ 74
Interior ............................................. 79
Limp-home mode ................................. 93
Load index (tires) ...................... 173, 178
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting ................................. 109
Locking the vehicle
Manually ........................................ 229
SmartKey ......................................... 60
Loss of
Key .................................................. 61
Service and Warranty Information
booklet .......................................... 254
Low-beam headlamps ......................... 75
Exterior lamp switch ........................74
Switching on .................................... 75
Lubricants .......................................... 260
Lumbar support ................................... 67
M
Maintenance ........................................ 19
Maintenance System
Service indicator display ................191
Service indicator message .............190
Service term exceeded ..................191
Manual headlamp mode (Low-
beam headlamps) ................................ 75
Maximum engine speed see Vehicle specification
Maximum loaded vehicle weight ..... 178
Maximum load rating (tires) ............. 178
Maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure .............................. 178
Mechanical key see Key, Mechanical
Media interface ................................. 132
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Memory function ................................. 73
Menus see Control system menus
Mirrors .................................................. 72
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ....... 73
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position ............................................ 73
Exterior rear view mirrors ................72
Interior rear view mirror ...................72
Memory function .............................. 73
Vanity mirror .................................. 135
MON (Motor Octane Number) .......... 263
Motor Octane Number see MON
Multicontour seat ................................ 68
Multifunction display ........................ 101
Symbol messages ..........................208
Text messages ............................... 204
Vehicle status messages ...............203
Multifunction display messages
ABS ................................................ 204
Advanced TPMS ..................... 206, 218
Alternator ...................................... 212
Battery ........................................... 212
Brake fluid ..................................... 208
Brake pads ..................................... 208
Coolant .......................................... 210
Cruise control ................................ 205
Doors ............................................. 210
Engine oil ....................................... 213
ESP ®
.............................................. 204
Fog lamps .............................. 215, 217
Gas cap .......................................... 214
High-beam lamps ........................... 216
Hood .............................................. 210
License plate lamps .......................216
Light sensor ................................... 216
Low-beam lamps ............................ 216
Parking brake ................................ 208
Parking lamps ................................ 216
Reserve fuel ................................... 214
Reverse lamp ................................. 215
Side marker lamps .........................215
SmartKey ....................................... 210
SRS ................................................ 205
Tailgate .......................................... 210
Tail lamps ...................................... 217
Tele Aid .......................................... 209Tire inflation pressure ............206, 218
Tire pressure monitor ....................206
Tires ...................................... 206, 218
Transfer case ................................. 209
Turn signals ................................... 218
Washer fluid ................................... 210
Multifunction steering wheel
Adjustment ...................................... 70
Buttons ............................................ 99
Cleaning ......................................... 196
Easy-entry/exit feature ...........71, 112
Heating ............................................ 72
Memory function .............................. 73
Overview .......................................... 27
N
Navigation menu ............................... 105
Navigation system see Separate operating instructions
Net, parcel ......................................... 130
Night security illumination .............. 110
Normal occupant weight .................. 178
Number, vehicle identification
(VIN) ................................................... 255
O
Occupant distribution ....................... 178
Occupant safety
Air bags ........................................... 33
BabySmart™ .................................... 37
Children and air bags .......................33
Children in the vehicle .....................46
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) ........................................... 49
Fastening the seat belts ................... 41
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp .......................... 37, 227
Infant and child restraint systems .... 47
Introduction ..................................... 32
ISOFIX (Child seat anchors –
LATCH-type) ..................................... 49
Seat belts .................................. 34, 39
Odometer ........................................... 101
Off-road driving ................................. 184
Checklist ............................... 185, 189
Crossing obstacles ........................188
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Program brochure (in the USA) or the
Roadside Assistance section of the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (in
Canada) in your vehicle literature portfolio.
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send
in the “Change of Address Notice” found in
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372), or
Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it available
to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Truck” found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R Service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R Unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.
R Gasoline may have a considerably lower
octane rating, and improper fuel can cause
engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe under our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Sport Utility Vehicle
GWarning!
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both
on-road and off-road use. It can go places and
perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel
drive passenger cars are not intended. This
vehicle will handle and maneuver differently
from conventional passenger cars in driving
conditions which may occur on streets,
highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance
and a higher center of gravity than many
passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this
type, if you make sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may
roll over or may go out of control and crash.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle safely may
result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the
Operator’s Manual. Take time to become
familiar with the driving characteristics of this
vehicle. Be sure you are familiar with all
vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different road surfaces. Do not
attempt sharp turns at excessive speeds or
abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving
actions that can cause loss of vehicle control.
When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear
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Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
jPark position with gear selector lever lockkReverse geariNeutral positionhDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 89).
XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
Starting
XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 65) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
Starting difficulties
! Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked.
XTo unlock, remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
XGet a jump start (Y page 244).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
XLet the starter cool for about 2 minutes.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Driving off
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life
of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
86Driving and parkingControls in detail
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Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satisfied
you will be with its performance later on.
R Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
R During this period, avoid heavy loads (full
throttle driving) and excessive engine
speeds (no more than 2
/ 3 of maximum rpm
in each gear).
R Shift gears in a timely manner.
R Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
R Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down by
shifting to a lower gear using the gear
selector lever.
R Select gear ranges 3, 2 or 1 (Y page 92)
only when driving at moderate speeds (for
hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
! Additional instructions for AMG vehicles:
R During the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km),
do not exceed a speed of 85 mph
(140 km/h).
R During this period, avoid engine speeds
above 4 500 rpm in each gear.
R Shift gears in a timely manner.
R Avoid off-road driving during the break-in
period until the oil change in the front
and rear axle at 2 000 miles (3 000 km)
has been performed. Please refer to
Maintenance Booklet.
All of the above instructions, as may apply to
your vehicle type, also apply when driving the
first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after the engine,
the transfer case, the front differential or the
rear differential have been replaced.
i Always obey applicable speed limits.
At the gas station
Refueling
GWarning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
GWarning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
! Never refuel vehicles with gasoline engine
with diesel fuel. Even small amounts of
diesel fuel will damage the fuel system and
engine. Damage resulting from the use of
non-approved fuels or fuel additives or
resulting from mixing gasoline with diesel
fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
150At the gas stationOperation
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Tire type code
Tire type code ? may, at the option of the
manufacturer, be used as a descriptive code
for identifying significant characteristics of
the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture A identifies the
week and year of manufacture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3208” represents the 32nd
week of 2008.
Tire ply material
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
This marking tells you about the type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall : and
under the tread ;.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats,
radio, and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi), kilopascal (kPa), or bar.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width expressed
in percentage.
Bar
Metric unit for air pressure. There are
14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) to
1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle has
been sitting for at least 3 hours or driven no
more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped,
air conditioning and additional optional
equipment, but without passengers and
cargo.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the tire
meets requirements of the U.S. Department
of Transportation.
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To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of control loss.
Do not engage the transfer case in position
LOW when driving on ice or packed snow. At
speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle
steering is adversely affected by the LOW-
RANGE ABS.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 180).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can
bring road-salt-impaired braking efficiency
back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on
salt-treated roads, the braking efficiency
should be tested as soon as possible after
driving is resumed.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
To save fuel you should:
R Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Allow engine to warm up under low load
use.
R Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance system. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on
short trips and in mountainous areas.
Drinking and driving
GWarning!
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
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