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.
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Flat tire
Notes
Your vehicle is equipped with a TIREFIT kit
(Y page 362).
Preparing the vehicle
XWhenever possible, park the vehicle in a
safe distance from moving traffic on a hard,
flat surface.
XTurn on the hazard warning flasher.XTurn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight-ahead position.
XEngage the electronic parking brake.XShift the transmission into park position P.XTurn off the engine.XKEYLESS-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.
or
XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
XHave any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Open
doors only when conditions are safe to do
so.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures
down to -40‡ (-40†).
GWarning!
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.
XForeign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.
XTake the TIREFIT kit, the sticker, and the
electric air pump out of the trunk
(Y page 362).
XOpen the TIREFIT kit.XAttach upper part of sticker D where it will
be easily seen by the driver on the
instrument cluster.
XAttach lower part of sticker D to the
damaged tire (close to the tire valve).
GWarning!
Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT
to come in contact with hair, eyes or clothing.
TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin - causes skin, eye
and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
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GWarning!
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children. If
swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
iIf sealant has leaked out, let it dry. You
can then peel it off.
If clothing has come in contact with
TIREFIT, have it dry-cleaned with
perchloroethylene as soon as possible.
GWarning!
Observe safety instructions on air pump label.
XPull plug ? and air hose E out of the pump
housing.
XUnscrew flange lid A.XUnscrew lid of TIREFIT container :. Make
sure not to damage the aluminum seal.
XScrew TIREFIT container : clockwise onto
flange F.
The aluminum seal is punctured when the
TIREFIT container is fastened tightly.
XUnscrew the valve cap of the damaged tire
from tire valve G.
XMake sure vent screw C is closed
completely.
XPull off the dust cap from filler hose E.XScrew filler hose E onto tire valve G.XMake sure electric air pump switch ; is in
position 0.
XInsert electrical plug ? into the cigarette
lighter socket (Y page 307) or a power
outlet (Y page 308).
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once. Do not depress the brake pedal.
or
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1.
iUsing the electrical air pump drains the
vehicle battery. When in the open, start the
engine while inflating the tire.
GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and lead to death. Do not
run the engine in confined areas (such as a
garage) which are not properly ventilated.
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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
or rear axle raised 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:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing 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.
GWarning!
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.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe transmission will remain in park
position P
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 410) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 413).
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor
(Y page 362).
XTake the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench out of the trunk.
Your vehicle is equipped with a front towing
eye bolt only. You cannot tow other vehicles
with your vehicle.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPull off cover :.XRemove cover : from the opening.
Cover : is tethered with a plastic strap.
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