XSwitch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control system
appears ( Y page 223).XPress button 0040 or 003E on the
multifunction steering wheel to select the
Service menu.XPress button 003D or 003C to select
ASSYST PLUS .XPress button 0064 on the multifunction
steering wheel to confirm.
The maintenance service indicator display
with the maintenance service deadline
appears in the multifunction display.
i If the battery was disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in the
count shown by the maintenance service
indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
maintenance service indicator message or
maintenance service indicator display.
Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service on
your vehicle is not carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the
maintenance service indicator reset.
The automotive maintenance facility carrying
out the maintenance service will find the
information for resetting the maintenance
service indicator in the maintenance-relevant
literature for your vehicle.
Such literature is available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the maintenance service indicator was
reset inadvertently, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset the maintenance service
indicator if the proper maintenance service
has been performed. Not following the
proper maintenance service as described
in the Maintenance Booklet will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Notes
Regular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle.
GWarning!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! When cleaning the vehicle, do not use
scouring agents. Never apply strong force
and only use a soft, wet cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface to be cleaned.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
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
440Vehicle careOperation
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 440
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.XUse 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
XDo not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.XOnly use a soft, wet cloth or sponge to
clean the vehicle.XOnly use a mild vehicle wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.XThoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.XDo not spray directly towards the
ventilation intake.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
and chamois frequently.XRinse with clean water and dry with a
chamois thoroughly.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car wash
GWarning!
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function or DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an
automatic car wash.
You can have your vehicle washed in an
automatic car wash from the start. Brushless
car washes are preferable.
XTo protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using rocker switch
0074 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 0027. 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.
442Vehicle careOperation
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 442
Cleaning the rear view camera lensXOnly use clean water and a soft, non-
scratching cloth to clean rear view camera
lens \000F.
Be careful not to apply wax to rear view
camera lens \000F 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
Rwith a high-pressure cleaner
Rwith a dry cloth and strong pressure
Rwith aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Cleaning the windshield in front of the
Night View Assist Plus camera
The Night View Assist Plus camera is located
in front of the interior rear view mirror.
GWarning!
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be his/her
primary focus when driving. For your safety
and the safety of others, stop before trying to
remove window fogging or cleaning the
window in front of the Night View Assist Plus
camera.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
! Do not clean the lens of the Night View
Assist Plus camera. If the camera lens is
dirty, please contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XUse recessed handle \000F of camera cover to
swing camera cover downward.
XClean inside of windshield in front of
camera \000G with a soft, non-scratching
cloth.
! If you use a windshield cleaning product,
make sure that none of the cleaning
product comes into contact with the lens
of the Night View Assist Plus camera.
XUse recessed handles \000F of camera cover
to swing camera cover up.
444Vehicle careOperation
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 444
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
! The windshield wipers must be in a
vertical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could otherwise
damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
XMake sure the hood is fully closed.XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn combination switch to wiper setting
00B6 (Y page 305).XWith wiper arms in vertical position, switch
off the ignition.GWarning!
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.
XFold the wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.XClean the windshield and the wiper blade
inserts with a clean cloth and mild
detergent solution.XUse 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.
XUse 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.
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of
water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.
! Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage the
clear coat.
! The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after
it has been cleaned. This applies especially
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners
can lead to increased corrosion of the
brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved
Vehicle care445Operation221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 445Z
wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel
paint if the vehicle is not driven after
cleaning.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is
parked after cleaning. Drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved
Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz approved
Wheel Care products, take care not to
spray them on the brake disks.
Plastic and rubber partsXUse a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild
detergent for delicate fabrics as a washing
solution.XWipe with a cloth moistened in a lukewarm
solution.
The surface may temporarily change color.
If this is the case, wait for it to dry.GWarning!
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or the
steering wheel. Cleaners containing solvents
will make the surface porous and vehicle
occupants could suffer serious injuries from
plastic parts coming loose in the event of air
bag deployment.
! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
Hard plastic trim items
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
on a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light
pressure.
COMAND display
! You must switch off the COMAND display
and allow it to cool prior to cleaning.
! Do not use any liquids or cleaning agents.
These can damage or even destroy the
COMAND display screen.XUse a standard microfiber cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel
XWipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Carpets
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet and
Fabric Care for cleaning the carpets.
Headliner and shelf below rear window
XUse a soft bristle brush or a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts
XOnly use clear, lukewarm water and soap.
! The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the
seat belts at temperatures above 176‡
(80†) or in direct sunlight.
GWarning!
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause the
upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will
be prevented.
446Vehicle careOperation
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 446
GWarning!
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers may
interfere with or prevent
R deployment of the front side impact air
bags
R deployment of the rear side impact air bags
R activation of the NECK-PRO active front
head restraints
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Leather upholstery
Please note that leather upholstery is a
natural product and is therefore subject to a
natural aging process. Leather upholstery
may also react to certain ambient influences
such as high humidity or high temperature by
showing wrinkles for example.
XWipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-
Benz approved Leather Care.
! To avoid damage to leather upholstery:
R Wipe with light pressure only.
R Do not clean with abrasive cleaning
agents such as scouring milk or powder.
R Do not soak the leather upholstery.
As leather is a natural product, it could
otherwise harden or become porous.
R Exercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside
should not become wet.
Wood trims
XOnly use water and a damp cloth to clean
wood trims in your vehicle.
! Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.
Chrome-plated exhaust tip
Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plated
exhaust tips will help to maintain their shine
and the classy appearance.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome
Polishing Paste each time the vehicle has
been washed, especially during the winter.
! Do not use alkaline cleaners such as
wheel cleaners as they could cause
corrosion.
Vehicle care447Operation221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 447Z
Rmalfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
Read and observe the notes on the HOLD
function ( Y page 342) and parking
( Y page 314) when you park the vehicle.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 454) and
symbol messages ( Y page 466).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display453Practical hints221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 453Z
GWarning!
If the 007F007D indicator lamp remains out even after performing the above corrective
steps, do not have any children 12 years old and under and other small individuals use the front
passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 SolutionsFront
Passenger
Airbag
Disabled
See Oper.
ManualThe front passenger front air bag is deactivated while driving
even though an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is occupying the front passenger seat. Forces
acting on the seat may make the system sense a decrease in
weight.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.XEngage the electronic parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition.XHave the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the
vehicle.XKeep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door
and switch on the ignition.
Monitor the 007F007D indicator lamp right of the
instrument cluster ( Y page 48) and the multifunction display
in the instrument ( Y page 32) cluster for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on,
R the 007F007D indicator lamp right of the instrument
cluster should illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating
that the OCS ( Y page 46) has deactivated the front
passenger front air bag.
R the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See
Oper. Manual or the message Front Passenger
Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual should not appear
in the multifunction display at any time the seat is
unoccupied. Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to
complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure
neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front
passenger seat again. Depending on the front passenger
classification sensed by the OCS, the 007F007D
indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working
properly. Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
456Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 456