G
Warning!
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
R Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature indicator
indicates that the coolant is overheated.
R Do not remove the cap on the coolant
expansion tank if the coolant temperature
is above 158‡ (70†). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant expansion tank contains hot fluid
and is under pressure.
R Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam
will be blown out under pressure.
R Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. X
Using a rag, slowly open cap :
approximately 1
/ 2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure.
X Continue turning cap : counterclockwise
and remove it. The coolant level is correct if the level
R
for cold coolant: reaches marking bar
= in coolant expansion tank ;
R for warm coolant: is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
X Add coolant as required.
X Screw cap : back on and tighten it.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section ( Y page 297) and
(Y page 300). Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system
G
Warning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the washer system/fluid
reservoir.
! Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can
damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or deionized water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
washer fluid level sensor could be
damaged.
Fluid for the washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system is supplied from the washer
fluid reservoir.
During all seasons, use MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”. Mix it
with water or premixed washer solvent/
antifreeze depending on the ambient
temperature ( Y page 302). Engine compartment
181Operation
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 181 Z
ProCarManuals.com
X
Opening washer fluid reservoir: Pull tab
of cap : upwards.
X Refill the washer fluid reservoir.
X Closing washer fluid reservoir: Press
cap : onto filler hole until it engages.
For more information, see “Washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(Y page 297). Brake fluid level
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. Do
not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints”.
When checking the brake fluid level, the
vehicle must be parked on level ground. The brake fluid level is correct when it is
between lower mark (MIN)
; and upper
mark (MAX) : of the brake fluid reservoir. Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice
concerning tire service and purchase. G
Warning!
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct. G
Warning!
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used. G
Warning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you 182
Tires and wheelsOperation
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 182
ProCarManuals.com
Headlamps, brake lamps, tail lamps,
side markers, turn signal lenses
X
Use a mild vehicle wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
! Only use window cleaning solutions that
are suitable for plastic lamp lenses.
Window cleaning solutions which are not
suitable may damage the plastic lamp
lenses of the headlamps. Therefore, do not
use abrasives, solvents or cleaners that
contain solvents.
Cleaning the driving systems sensors X
Switch off the ignition.
X Clean Distronic system sensor cover : by
hand.
To clean Distronic system sensor cover :
and the bumper area near sensors ; observe
the following:
R Use a mild vehicle wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
R Use a soft, non-scratching cloth. !
If you use a power washer to clean the
sensor covers, observe the following:
R Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer.
R Maintain a distance between the sensor
covers and the nozzle of the power
washer.
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.
X Make sure the hood is fully closed.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn combination switch to wiper setting
° (Y page 92).
X With wiper arms in vertical position, switch
off the ignition. 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. Vehicle care
219Operation
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 219 Z
ProCarManuals.com
Lamps
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsb Active
Headlamps
Inoperativ
e The active Bi-Xenon headlamp system is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Active
Headlamps
Auxiliary
Bulb On The active Bi-Xenon headlamps are malfunctioning. Another
light is being used.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Reverse
Lamp Left
or
Reverse
Lamp Right The left or right backup lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Brake-/
Tail Lamp
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Brake-/
Tail Lamp
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb On The left or right brake/tail lamp is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all LEDs have stopped working.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b 3rd Brake
Lamp The high-mounted brake lamp is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all LEDs have stopped working.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Front
Foglamp
Left
or
Front
Foglamp
Right The left or right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
247Practical hints
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 247 Z
ProCarManuals.com
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsb Marker
Lamp
Front Left
or
Marker
Lamp
Front
Right The front left side or right side marker lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Parking
Lamp
Front
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Parking
Lamp
Front
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb On The left or right front parking lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.
X
Halogen headlamp: Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(Y page 266).
X Bi-Xenon headlamp: Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. b High Beam
Left
or
High Beam
Right The left or right high-beam lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Replace the bulb as soon as possible (Y page 266). b License
Plate
Lamp Left
or
License
Plate
Lamp Right The left or right license plate lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Replace the bulb as soon as possible (Y page 266). b AUTO-
Light
Inoperativ
e The light sensor is malfunctioning. The headlamps come on
automatically.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
To switch off the headlamps (U.S. vehicles only):
X In the control system, set daytime running lamp mode to
manual
(Y page 121).
X Switch off the headlamps using the exterior lamp switch
(Y page 87). 248
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Practical hints
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 248
ProCarManuals.com
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsb Low Beam
Left
or
Low Beam
Right The left or right low-beam lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Halogen headlamp: Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(Y page 266).
X Bi-Xenon headlamp: Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. b Rear Left
Foglamp The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Switch
Off Lights You have removed the SmartKey from the starter switch,
opened the driver’s door and left the headlamps on or
removed the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle
and left the headlamps on.
X
Turn the exterior lamp switch to $ or Ã
(Y page 87).
or
X With the rear fog lamp switched on:
Push in the exterior
lamp switch to its stop. b Tail Lamp
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Tail Lamp
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb On The left or right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A substitute bulb
is being used.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Cornering
Lamp Left
or
Cornering
Lamp Right The left or right corner-illuminating front fog lamp is
malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Rear Left
Turn
Signal
or
Rear
Right
Turn
Signal The left or right rear turn signal lamp is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
249Practical hints
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 249 Z
ProCarManuals.com
G
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire. G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc. What to do if …
Lamps in instrument cluster
Notes If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-
check when switching on the ignition, have
the respective bulb checked and replaced if
necessary.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal
indicator
lamps will only come on if activated.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster fails to
come on when the ignition is switched on,
have it checked and replaced if necessary. What to do if …
251
Practical hints
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 251 Z
ProCarManuals.com
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
X
Insert mechanical key : into opening.
X Press mechanical key : in direction of
arrow.
Battery compartment ; is unlatched.
X Pull battery compartment ; out of the
SmartKey housing. X
Pull out batteries =.
X Insert new batteries = under contact
springs ? with the positive terminal (+)
side facing up.
X Return battery compartment ; into
SmartKey housing until it locks into place.
X Slide mechanical key : back into the
SmartKey.
X Check the operation of the SmartKey as
well as the KEYLESS-GO function. Replacing bulbs
Safety notes
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling to a large
degree.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
headlamp adjustment. G
Warning!
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Allow
the lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you
R touch or move it when hot
R drop the bulb
R scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician. G
Warning!
The bulbs in the tail lamps cannot be replaced
individually. The tail lamp bulbs are under
pressure and could explode during an attempt
to replace them.
If the tail lamps are malfunctioning, have them
replaced at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
i Since replacing bulbs is a technically
highly demanding process, we recommend
to have them replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i If the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high 266
Replacing bulbsPractical hints
219_AKB; 4; 54, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:21:02+02:00 - Seite 266
ProCarManuals.com