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.
G
Warning!
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 Remove carriers when not in use.
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
G
Warning!
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. Pedals
G
Warning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure that the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers,
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. Power assistance
G
Warning!
There is no power assistance for the steering
and
the brake when the engine is not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion. Brakes
Downhill grades !
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes by
shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s
braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces
wear. Driving instructions
253
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X
Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P (Y page 116).
X Engage the parking brake for the vehicle
(Y page 114).
X Start the engine (Y page 110).
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC:
Set the vehicle level to highway
(Y page 154) and set the ADS to AUTO or
COMF (Y page 153).
X Turn off the engine ( Y page 114).
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Attach the trailer.
X Plug in all electrical connectors.
i Vehicles with AIRMATIC:
When you are towing a trailer, the vehicle
level
always remains in the highway setting.
The following applies additionally when
towing a trailer:
R The vehicle is lowered to the highway
level when it reaches a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) if not set to highway level.
R The highspeed level is not available.
The restrictions that apply to towing also
apply when using accessories that are
connected to the trailer power socket, such
as a bicycle rack.
Towing a trailer There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer
towing. Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for
where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be the police or local
authorities.
Note the following, when driving with a trailer:
R In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free of traffic.
R Before you start driving check the
-trailer hitch
- break-away switch
- safety chains
- electrical connections
- lighting
- tires
R Adjust the mirrors
(Y page 94) to permit
unobstructed view beyond rear of trailer.
R If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving slowly, and then
apply only the trailer brake controller by
hand to make sure the brakes are working
properly.
R Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
R When towing a trailer, check occasionally
to make sure the load is secure, and that
trailer lighting and brakes (if so equipped)
are functioning properly.
R Take into consideration that when towing a
trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
R The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore limited in
acceleration and climbing ability, and has a
larger braking distance.
It is more prone to reacting to cross wind
gusts, and requires more sensitive steering
input.
R If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first to
permit the trailer to activate its brake. Then
increase the braking force.
! If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately. 258
Driving instructions
Operation
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Text messages
Safety systems Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsABS ABS, ESP
Inoperativ
e
See
Operator’s
Manual The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®
, and the PRE-
SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident. ABS ABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e
See
Operator’s
Manual The self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The
display will clear after driving a short distance at a vehicle
speed of above 12 mph (20 km/h). ABS ABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
Manual The brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®
, and
the PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
When
the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS,
the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are
operational again and the message should disappear.
X If the message does not disappear: Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible. ESP Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
Manual
In addition, the yellow ESP
®
warning lamp d comes on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system
are unavailable.
The ABS may not be operational.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
275
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsESP Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
Manual The brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply the ESP
®
, the BAS, and the
PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the
ESP ®
, the BAS, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are operational
again and the message in the multifunction display should
disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:
X Have the alternator and the battery checked.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible. ESP Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
Manual
If the yellow ESP
®
warning lamp d flashes while driving
and this message appears, the Electronic Traction System
(4-ETS) has switched off to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As
soon as the brakes have cooled off, the Electronic Traction
System (4-ETS) switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disappears and the
ESP ®
warning lamp d goes out. ESP Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
Manual The self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The
display will clear after driving a short distance at a vehicle
speed of above 12 mph (20 km/h). PRE-SAFE Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
Manual
The PRE-SAFE
®
system has failed. All other occupant safety
systems, such as the air bags, are still available.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. 276
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsTire
Pressure
Monitor Wheel
Sensor
Missing At least one sensor is defect (e.g. battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
– – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.
X Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Have the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. At least one wheel without appropriate wheel sensors is
mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by
– – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.
X Have the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Have the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Tire
Pressure
Monitor Currently
Unavailabl
e The Advanced TPMS cannot monitor the tire inflation pressure
due to a nearby radio interference source or insufficient
power supply.
As
soon as the causes of the malfunction have been rectified,
the Advanced TPMS becomes active again automatically after
a few minutes of driving. Tire
Pressure(s
) Please
Correct The tire inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.
or
The tire inflation pressures of the individual tires differ from
each other significantly.
The tire inflation pressure values are shown in the
multifunction display.
X
Check and correct tire inflation pressure as required
(Y page 230).
X Restart the Advanced TMPS ( Y page 235).Caution:
Tire
Defect At least one tire is deflating.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 319). 284
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Brake
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions!
The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ABS has detected a malfunction and switched off. The BAS,
the ESP
®
and the PRE-SAFE ®
are also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally but without the
systems specified above available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other systems such as
the
navigation system or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display
(Y page 274).
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident. !
The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ABS has switched off due to insufficient power supply.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS is
operational again. The ABS indicator lamp should go out.
X
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out: Have the alternator
and the battery checked. !
The yellow ABS
indicator lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The self-diagnosis has not been completed yet.
The indicator lamp will go out after driving a short distance at a
vehicle speed of above 12 mph
(20 km/h).300
What to do if …
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Do not switch off the ESP
®
when a spare
wheel is mounted. G
Warning!
Vehicles with AIRMATIC:
Do not open or close any doors or the tailgate
while mounting a spare wheel. The vehicle
could rise or lower to a previously selected
level. You or others could be injured as a
result. Preparing the vehicle
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC:
Make sure the vehicle level is set to
highway level
(Y page 153).
X Whenever possible, park the vehicle in a
safe
distance from moving traffic on a hard,
flat surface.
X Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
X Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight-ahead position.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Open the
driver’s
door (this puts the starter switch in
position 0, same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch). The
driver’s door can then be closed again.
Open doors only when conditions are safe
to do so.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Remove the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from the
starter switch.
X Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Open
doors only when conditions are safe to do
so.
i Vehicles retrofitted with TIREFIT kit: Only use the power outlet in the second-
row footwell for electric air pump
operation.
You can use the power outlet even when
the ignition is switched off, e.g. in order to
inflate the collapsible tire.
An emergency shut-off feature is designed
to prevent the vehicle’s on-board voltage
from dropping below a minimum level. If
the on-board voltage drops to this
minimum level, the power outlets are
switched
off automatically to help preserve
engine starting power. Sealing tires with TIREFIT
This section applies to vehicles retrofitted
with a TIREFIT kit only.
Small
tire punctures, particularly those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures
down to -4‡ (-20†). G
Warning!
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 the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for assistance or call Roadside
Assistance.
X Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.
X Take the TIREFIT kit, the sticker, and the
electric air pump out of the vehicle. 320
Flat tire
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X
Slide cover A back onto negative terminal
B.
X Have the battery checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz
recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
R Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
! Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must be on or off the
ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground. G
Warning!
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.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
i If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 333) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 336). Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle
or you are being towed, the towing eye
bolt can be screwed into threaded holes
which are located behind covers on each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the cargo
compartment underneath the cargo
compartment floor (Y page 270).
X Take the towing eye bolt out of the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor. 338
Towing the vehicle
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