i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel
filler cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank
reserve warning lamp to flash and the
malfunction indicator lamp ! (USA
only) or ; (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see also “Practical
hints” (Y page 305).
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
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 then can
be closed again.
X Opening: Press fuel filler flap : at the
point indicated by the arrow.
X Turn fuel filler cap ; counterclockwise.
X Take off fuel filler cap ;.
! The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel
filler neck. Do not drop the cap. It could
damage the vehicle paint finish.
X Set fuel filler cap ; on fuel filler flap :.
X Fully insert filler nozzle unit and refuel.
X Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit
cuts out – do not top off or overfill .
X Closing: Turn fuel filler cap ; clockwise
until it audibly engages.
X Close fuel filler flap :.
Low outside temperatures (diesel
engine) !
Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend
diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosene.
The fuel system and engine will otherwise
be damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is offered
in the winter months. Check with your fuel
retailer. Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements
of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (Y page 350).
Check the following:
R Engine oil level ( Y page 224)
R Tire inflation pressure ( Y page 230)
R Coolant level ( Y page 225)
R Vehicle lighting ( Y page 313)
R Washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 226)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 227) Engine compartment
Hood
G
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This
could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening G
Warning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature display to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department. G
Warning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent
burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the 222
Engine compartment
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!
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button in position 0 or 1) when the parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer. Such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads. G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 64).
Parking brake When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake. To prevent corrosion and a reduction in the
braking power of the parking brake, observe
the following:
X
From time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.
X Drive a distance of approximately 110 yds
(100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). G
Warning!
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake. Driving off
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached.
! When
driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. Doing so may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Hydroplaning
Depending
on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires. In heavy rain or
when conditions indicate possible
hydroplaning: Driving instructions
255
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attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
R
Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R Grease and oil
R Fuel
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Bird droppings
R Insects
R Tree resins etc.
Frequent
washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above
adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage. Any
damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of
the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough
check is a washing of the underbody followed
by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas
need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of the
vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither
necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-
Benz because of the possibility of incompatibility between materials used in the
production process and others applied later.
We have selected vehicle-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and which
always
reflect the latest technology. You can
obtain Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the vehicle-care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references to
Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products.
Power washer !
Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on
maintaining
a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across
the surface. Do not aim directly at electrical
parts, electrical connectors, seals, or other
rubber parts.
i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey is within
approximately 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle, it
could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
Tar stains Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and
become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended. Vehicle care
263
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Paintwork, painted body components
!
Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape
or similar materials to painted body
components may damage the paintwork.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should
be applied when water drops on the paint
surface do not “bead up”. This should
normally be done every 3 to 5 months,
depending on the climate and washing
detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface shows
signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if
your
vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood
is still hot.
X Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for
quick
and provisional repairs of minor paint
damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehicle
doors, etc.).
Engine cleaning Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical components
and connectors from contact with water and
cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB
Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage
bushings
and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be
protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When
washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey is within approximately 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle, it
could
be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
Hand-wash
X Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
X Only use a soft, wet cloth or sponge to
clean the vehicle.
X Only use a mild vehicle wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
X Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.
X Do not spray directly towards the
ventilation intake.
X Use plenty of water and rinse the sponge
and chamois frequently.
X Rinse with clean water and dry with a
chamois thoroughly.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an
automatic
car wash from the start. Brushless
car washes are preferable.
X To protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using button d on
the climate control panel.
! Do
not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic
spray. Caustic spray will damage the paint
or ornamental moldings.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
running it through the automatic car wash.
! Make sure the combination switch is set
to wiper setting $. Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers
to move unintentionally. This may lead to
vehicle damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running
the vehicle through an automatic car wash
to prevent damage to the mirrors. 264
Vehicle care
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Cleaning the rear view camera lens
X
Only use clean water and a soft, non-
scratching cloth to clean rear view camera
lens :.
Be careful not to apply wax to rear view
camera lens : when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using the
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo with
plenty of water.
! Do not clean the camera and the area
around the camera
R with a high-pressure cleaner
R with a dry cloth and strong pressure
R with aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades !
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward. G
Warning!
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the windshield and/or the wiper
blades. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Make
sure the vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status 0. Otherwise, the wiper motor could
suddenly turn on and cause injury.
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear. X
Fold the wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.
X Clean the windshield and the wiper blade
inserts with a clean cloth and mild
detergent solution.
X Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution on all outside and inside
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey
in the starter switch or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
! To clean the window interior, do not use
a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the
inside of the windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
Cleaning the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside.
X
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents
or cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the protective layer with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Never apply
strong force and only use a soft, non-
scratching cloth when cleaning the rear
part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
protective layer. 266
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Vehicle equipment ............................
270
Where will I find ...? .......................... 270
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display ....................... 274
What to do if … .................................. 299
Unlocking/locking manually ...........308
Resetting activated NECK-PRO
active front head restraints .............310
Replacing SmartKey batteries ......... 310
Replacing bulbs ................................. 312
Replacing wiper blades ....................317
Flat tire .............................................. 319
Bleeding the fuel system (diesel
engine only) ....................................... 331
AdBlue ®
(diesel engine only) ...........331
Battery ............................................... 333
Jump starting .................................... 336
Towing the vehicle ............................338
Fuses .................................................. 340 269Practical hints
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Vehicle
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsDepress
brake to
shift out
of P. You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive
position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal.
X Depress the brake pedal. Door Open Vehicle
Not In
Park You have opened the driver’s door and the automatic
transmission is still in drive position
D, reverse gear R or
neutral position N.
X Before you leave the vehicle, make sure the automatic
transmission is in park position P and the parking brake is
engaged. Drive to
workshop
without
shifting
gears. The automatic transmission cannot be shifted out of the
current transmission position because of a malfunction.
If the automatic transmission is in drive position D:
X
Without shifting the automatic transmission out of drive
position D, drive to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to position neutral
position N, reverse gear R or park position P:
X Do not drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance. Only
shift to
P when
vehicle
is at a
standstill
. You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
park position P although the vehicle was still in motion.
X
Stop the vehicle. Shift to
P or N to
start
engine. You have attempted to start the engine with the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button while the automatic transmission was in
reverse gear
R or drive position D.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park position P or
neutral
position N. Make sure the brake pedal is depressed. Auxiliary
Battery Malfunctio
n The backup battery for the automatic transmission is no
longer charging.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 282
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsÁ STOP Car
Too Low You have driven off while the vehicle level was too low or the
AIRMATIC is inoperative.
The
AIRMATIC should have raised the vehicle to the set level
after a short while. While the message is displayed:
X Avoid excessive steering maneuvers. The fenders or tires
could otherwise be damaged. Listen for scraping noises.
X Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the message does not disappear from the multifunction
display:
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Á Malfunctio
n The AIRMATIC is malfunctioning.
X
Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Á Compressor
Cooling
Down You have selected a higher vehicle level. Due to frequent level
changes within a short period, the compressor must cool
down first.
!
When
the message Compressor Cooling Down appears
in the multifunction display, driving is still possible. Keep in
mind that the ride height of the vehicle is not yet reached,
so you can damage the underbody of the vehicle.
X Let the compressor cool down until the message
disappears.
The selected level will be set once the compressor has
cooled down. Vehicle
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsE You are driving with the hood or the tailgate open.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.
X Close the hood ( Y page 223) or the tailgate ( Y page 75).
There is otherwise danger of an accident. You are trying to lock the vehicle with the KEYLESS-GO
function with a door or the tailgate open.
X
Close all doors and/or the tailgate ( Y page 75).288
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