
ROnly use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESC ( Y page 62)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction.
Winter driving instructions
GWarning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
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 loss of control.
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 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 347).
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.
348Driving instructionsOperation
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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.
Pedals
GWarning!
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
GWarning!
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.
When using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended
period of time, e.g. on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage
to the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Continuous or hard braking
GWarning!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their
effectiveness. It may not be possible to stop
the vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on
for some time, rather than immediately park,
so that the air stream will cool down the
brakes faster.
Wet roads
GWarning!
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may be
necessary to obtain expected brake effect.
Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet or salt-covered roads, it is
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GWarning!
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.
Symbol messages
Brake
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and  0050 Solutions0026
Check Brake Pad 
WearThe brake pads have reached their wear limit.  XHave the brake pads replaced as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!  Brake pad thickness must be visually inspected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
370Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 Solutions00B8
Gas Cap LooseA loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaking.XCheck the fuel cap ( Y page 321).XIf it is not closed properly:  Close the fuel cap.XIf it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.00A0
Replace Air FilterThe air filter is clogged.  XHave the air filter checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.0049
Check Fuel FilterThere is water in the fuel filter.XHave the water drained at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Lamps
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and  0050 Solutions0055
Check Left Daytime 
Running Light
or
Check Right 
Daytime Running 
LightThe left or right daytime running lamps are malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.0055
Check Left Reverse 
Lamp
or
Check Right 
Reverse LampThe left or right backup lamp is malfunctioning.  XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.0055
Check Center Brake 
LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if all LEDs have stopped working.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.384Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 Solutions0055
Check Front Left 
Turn Signal
or
Check Front Right 
Turn SignalThe left or right front turn signal lamp is malfunctioning.  XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.0055
Check Left Mirror 
Turn Signal
or
Check Right Mirror 
Turn SignalThe turn signal in the left or right exterior rear view mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only appear if all LEDs have
stopped working.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Tires
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and  0050 Solutions0077
Tire Press. 
Warning Caution 
Tire MalfunctionAt least one tire is deflating.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and
braking maneuvers.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 405).0077
Check Tire PressureThe tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is significantly below
the reference value.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and
braking maneuvers.XCheck and adjust tire inflation pressure as required.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 405).GWarning!
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.
GWarning!
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.
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VehicleProblemPossible causes/consequences and 0050 Solutions00B8The yellow fuel
tank reserve
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running.  The fuel level has gone below the reserve mark.XRefuel at the next gas station.
Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and  0050 Solutions00BBThe yellow
engine
malfunction
indicator lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running. There may be a malfunction in
R the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the emission control system
R systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive emissions values and
may switch the engine to limp-home (emergency operation) mode.XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as
soon as the engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.
00BBThe yellow
engine
malfunction
indicator lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running.A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaky.XCheck the fuel cap ( Y page 321).XIf it is not closed properly:  Close the fuel cap.XIf it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.00E6The red engine
oil temperature
warning lamp is
on while the
engine is
running. In
addition, an
acoustic
warning sounds.The engine oil temperature is above 284‡ (140†).
The engine is not cooled sufficiently and could be damaged.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so and turn off the engine.XLet the engine cool.394What to do if...Practical hints
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GWarning!
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked at least once a month when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or the tire inflation pressure label on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard or the tire inflation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires are
significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately
1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of incompatible
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels
on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
Lamp in center console
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and  0050 Solutions007F  0080
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated
with the weight of a
typical adult or
someone larger than a
small individual on the
passenger seat.   The system is malfunctioning.XHave the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XRead and observe messages in the multifunction display and
follow corrective steps ( Y page 364).396What to do if...Practical hints
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! Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental
effects, such as
R poor handling characteristics
R increased noise
R increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit
dimensional variations and different tire
deformation characteristics that could
cause them to come into contact with the
vehicle body or axle parts. Damage to the
tires or the vehicle may be the result.
i Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. The Tire and Loading Information
placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures for cold tires is located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for
driving at high speeds or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle
condition can be found on the tire inflation
pressure label. The tire inflation pressure
label is located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be
adjusted on cold tires. Follow tire
manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with the vehicle.
For information on recommended tire
inflation pressure and supplemental tire
inflation pressure information for special
driving situations, see ( Y page 327).
i Please keep in mind that the vehicle must
be equipped
R with wheels of identical dimensions on
each axle (left and right)
R with tires of identical characteristics all
around, i.e. summer tires, winter tires, or
all-season tires etc.
i The following pages also list the approved
rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehicle
with winter tires. Winter tires are notavailable as standard or optional factory
equipment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Equipping your vehicle with winter tires
approved for your vehicle model may
require the purchase of rims of the
recommended size for use with these
winter tires. This depends on vehicle model
and the standard or optional factory-
equipped wheel rim/tire configuration on
your vehicle. For more information contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Rims and tires423Technical dataBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 423