
G
WARNING
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batteries. Risk of explosion
Fire, open flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling the battery.
Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid
contact with the skin,
eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective
clothing, in particular
gloves, an apron and a face
mask.
Immediately rinse acid
splashes off with clean
water. Consult a doctor if
necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's
Manual.
G
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting.
You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
G
WARNING
Do not place any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a short circuit.
Use
leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing or
rubbing against textiles. For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation. H
Environmental note Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must
be collected separately
and recycled to protect the
environment. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified
specialist workshop or a
special collection point for
used batteries.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance
Booklet or contact a qualified
specialist workshop for more information.
! You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is Battery (vehicle)
349
Breakdown assistance Z

X
First, remove the jumper cables from ground point A and negative terminal ?, then from
positive terminal ; and positive terminal =, each time beginning at the contacts on your
own vehicle first.
X Close cover : of positive terminal ; after removing the jumper cables.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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. G
WARNING
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R there is a brake system malfunction.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
The
power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will need more
force to steer and brake, you may have to
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle. G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore, deactivate HOLD and DISTRONIC PLUS if the
vehicle is to be towed.
! Only
secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position P when
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle. 354
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Only possible on vehicles without
4MATIC.
X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 125).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X When leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey
or the KEYLESS-GO key with you.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions ( Y page 354).Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
G
WARNING
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will then need
much more effort to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your style of driving
accordingly.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 354).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts
to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position N when towing the vehicle,
you must observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in
position 0.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey
instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 154).
X Depress and hold the brake pedal. X
Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 125).
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2 in the
ignition lock.
i When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction.
In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
! Only
lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X Secure the vehicle.356
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible.
Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 25).Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of accident.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part (designation, manufacturer, model). G
WARNING
A flat tire severely impairs the driving,
steering and braking characteristics of the
vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Tires without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with a flat tire.
R immediately replace the flat tire with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tires with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and
warning
notices on MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist
workshop and inquire about:
R
suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels
and tires for your vehicle can be found
under "Wheel/tire combinations"
(Y page 389).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar
(Y page 373)
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap ( Y page 170)
R under "Tire pressure" ( Y page 366)
R in the "Tire pressure" section Operation
Information on driving
If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g.
pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tires are damaged. If you
suspect that a tire is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to check the wheels and tires for
damage. Hidden tire damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tires
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. 362
Operation
Wheels and tires

Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle. There is a risk of
accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly check the wheels and tires of your
vehicle
for damage at least once a month, as
well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of
tire pressure. Pay particular attention to
damage such as:
R cuts in the tires
R punctures
R tears in the tires
R bulges on tires
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (Y page 363). If necessary, turn
the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
mount anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
Do not use any other valve caps or systems,
e.g. tire pressure monitoring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary ( Y page 366).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 398).
The service life of tires depends on the
following factors amongst other things:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This
means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: â in (3 mm)
R M+S tires: ã in (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Bar indicator : for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned on the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is
approximately á in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced. Operation
363
Wheels and tires Z

Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
R Break in new tires at moderate speeds for
the
first 60 miles (100 km). They only reach
their full performance after this distance.
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after six years at the
latest, regardless of wear.
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (Y page 398). MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires.
MOExtended tires may only be used in
conjunction with an active tire pressure loss
warning
system or with an active tire pressure
monitor and on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires with
a flat tire ( Y page 344).
i Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires
are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the
factory. It is therefore recommended that
you additionally equip your vehicle with a
TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires.
A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a
qualified specialist workshop. Winter operation
General notes
Have
your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section ( Y page 384). Driving with summer tires
At
temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity significantly, and
therefore traction and braking power as well.
Change the tires on your vehicle to
M+S tires. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã
in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ã
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), use
winter tires or all-weather tires. Both types of
tire are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the i snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking
provide the best possible grip in wintry road
conditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety
systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function
optimally in winter. These tires have been
developed specifically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on
all wheels to maintain safe handling
characteristics. 364
Winter operation
Wheels and tires

Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
Once the winter tires are mounted:
X
Check the tire pressures (Y page 369).
X Vehicles for Canada: restart the tire
pressure loss warning system
(Y page 370).
X Restart the tire pressure monitor
(Y page 370).
For more information on driving with the
emergency spare wheel, see (Y page 398). Snow chains
G
WARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R never install snow chains to the front
wheels
R always install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
! On vehicles with AIRMATIC, you must
drive at raised vehicle level if snow chains
have been mounted. The vehicle may
otherwise be damaged.
! On some tire sizes there is not enough
space
for snow chains. To avoid damage to
the vehicle or tires, observe the "Wheel and
tire combinations" section under "Tires and
wheels".
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you wish
to mount snow chains on steel wheels,
make sure that you remove the respective
wheels' hubcaps first. The hubcaps may
otherwise be damaged.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use snow chains
that have been specially approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a
corresponding standard of quality.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
R
Snow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible
wheel-tire combinations (Y page 389).
R Only use snow chains when driving on
roads completely covered by snow.
Remove the snow chains as soon as
possible when you come to a road that is
not snow-covered.
R Local regulations may restrict the use of
snow chains. Observe the appropriate
regulations if you wish to mount snow
chains.
R Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
i You may wish to deactivate ESP ®
when
pulling away with snow chains installed
(Y page 70). This way you can allow the
wheels to spin in a controlled manner,
achieving an increased driving force
(cutting action).
For more information on driving with the
emergency spare wheel, see
(Y page 398). Winter operation
365
Wheels and tires Z

Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Tires with tire pressures that are too low or
too high are associated with the following
hazards:
R they
can burst, in particular if the vehicle is
heavily laden or when driven at high
speeds.
R the tires can wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which can severely impair tire
traction.
R the driving, steering and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
There is a risk of accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires
including the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire
pressure tables are examples. Tire
pressure specifications are vehicle-specific
and may deviate from the data shown here.
The tire pressure specifications that are
valid for your vehicle can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with the emergency spare
wheel
(Y page 398). Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
:
Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Y page 373).
The Tire and Loading Information placard
contains
the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires. The recommended tire pressures
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible vehicle
speed.
Tire pressure table The tire pressure table is on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
Example: tire pressure table for all tires permitted
for this vehicle by the factory
The tire pressure table contains the
recommended pressures for cold tires for
various operating conditions, i.e. differing
load and speed conditions.366
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires