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.
XTo protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using button g 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 0. 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.
XWhen taking the vehicle through an
automatic conveyor-type car wash:
Make sure the automatic transmission
remains in neutral position N.
When leaving the automatic car wash, make
sure the mirrors are folded out.
After running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe any wax off of the
windshield and the wiper blade inserts. This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping noise
which can be caused by residual wax on the
windshield.
Ornamental moldings
XFor regular cleaning and care of ornamental
moldings, use a damp cloth.
! Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings
may have chrome appearance, they could
be made of anodized aluminum that will be
damaged when cleaned with chrome
cleaner. Instead, use a damp cloth to clean
those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of
which you are sure are chrome-plated, use
a chrome cleaner. If in doubt whether an
ornamental molding is chrome-plated,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Headlamps, brake lamps, tail lamps,
side markers, turn signal lenses
XUse 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
XSwitch off the ignition.XClean Distronic system sensor cover : by
hand.
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XScrew the valve cap back onto the valve.
iVehicles with 19" spare wheel only:
Before placing the spare wheel in the spare
wheel well fasten tensioning straps, see
“Compressing the collapsible tire”
(Y page 226).
XPlace the spare wheel into the spare wheel
well.
XSecure the spare wheel by turning retaining
screw = clockwise.
Compressing the collapsible tire
This description applies to vehicles with
19" spare wheel only.
The collapsible tire on a 19" spare wheel must
be compressed with two tensioning straps
before you can store it in the spare wheel well.
XExtend the tensioning strap by pulling the
slider.
XPlace tensioning strap around the spare
wheel rim and collapsible tire with the
buckle facing the inside of the rim.
XClose the buckle.XPull the loose end of the tensioning strap.
The tensioning strap must be pulled as tight
as possible.
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(Y page 120) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button (Y page 112) or button
&, *, U or V on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu
(Y page 120). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
GWarning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-
226Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbRear
Foglamp
LeftThe rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bLights
Are still
OnYou 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.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to $ or Ã
( Y page 89).
or
XWith the rear fog lamp switched on: Push in the exterior
lamp switch to its stop.bTail Lamp
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Tail Lamp
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb OnThe left or right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A substitute bulb
is being used.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCornering
Lamp Left
or
Cornering
Lamp RightThe left or right corner-illuminating lamp is malfunctioning.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 271).bTurn
Signal
Rear Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Turn
Signal
Rear
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb OnThe left or right rear turn signal lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.XReplace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 271).252Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbTurn
Signal
Front
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Turn
Signal
Front
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb OnThe left or right front turn signal lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bTurn
Signal
Left
Mirror
or
Turn
Signal
Right
MirrorThe 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 M SolutionshPlease
correct
the tire
pressure.The tire inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.
or
The tire inflation pressure of the individual tires differ from
each other significantly.XCheck and correct tire inflation pressure as required
( Y page 189).hTire
Pressure
Caution
Tire
DefectAt 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 276).Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display253Practical hints230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 253Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionshTire
Pressure
Check
TiresThe 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 276).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.
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 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.254What to do if …Practical hints
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SmartKey with KEYLESS-GOXInsert mechanical key : into opening.XPress mechanical key : in direction of
arrow.
Battery compartment ; is unlatched.
XPull battery compartment ; out of the
SmartKey housing.
XPull out batteries =.XInsert new batteries = under contact
springs ? with the positive terminal (+)
side facing up.
XReturn battery compartment ; into
SmartKey housing until it locks into place.
XSlide mechanical key : back into the
SmartKey.
XCheck 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.
GWarning!
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
Rtouch or move it when hot
Rdrop the bulb
Rscratch 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.
iSince replacing bulbs is a technically
highly demanding process, we recommend
to have them replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high
humidity, driving the vehicle a distance with
the lights on should clear up the fogging.
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Bulbs
You can replace the following bulbs yourself:
Bi-Xenon headlampsType:High-beam flasher lamp: H7 55 W;Corner-illuminating lamp: H7 55 W=Parking and standing lamp: W 5 WRear lampsType:Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W;Backup lamp: P 21 WLicense plate lampsType:License plate lamps: C 5 WNotes on bulb replacement
! Do not replace LEDs or bulbs not
described in this section. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs, the bulbs or
parts of the vehicle. Only have the LEDs and
bulbs replaced at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
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Replacing bulbs
Example illustration: Bulb socket passenger side
:Turn signal lamp;Backup lamp
iThe lamps on the driver’s side are
mirrored.
XDepending on which bulb needs to be
replaced, turn the respective bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it.
XGently press onto the bulb and turn it
clockwise out of its bulb socket.
XGently press the new bulb into its bulb
socket and turn it counterclockwise until it
engages.
XAlign the respective bulb socket and press
it into the tail lamp unit until it audibly
engages.
XReinstall the trim.
License plate lamps
XLoosen screws : of lamp cover to be
removed.
XRemove lamp cover ;.XReplace the bulb.XReinstall lamp cover ;.XRetighten screws :.
Replacing wiper blades
Safety notes
GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have status 0)
before replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and cause
injury.
GWarning!
Wiper blades are components that are subject
to wear and tear. Replace the wiper blades
twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.
Otherwise the windshield will not be wiped
properly. As a result, you may not be able to
observe surrounding traffic conditions and
could cause an accident.
! To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward when
in the vertical position.
! Never open the hood when a wiper arm is
folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding a wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
Do not allow a wiper arm to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade
inserted.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
this work carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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