2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class window

Fording
depth Steel-sprung vehicles
20 in
(50 cm) Vehicles with the
AIRMATIC package and
AMG vehicles
Raised level 20 in
(50 cm) R
Establish how deep the wate ris and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
R Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select the highest possible vehicle level.
R Restrict the shift range to 1or 2.
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
R Do not stop.
R Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
R Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
R Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
R Apply the brakes to dry them after fording. Winter driving
General notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents. Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
i Vehicles with adiesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective
cover. The measuring function of the
onboard diagnosis syste mmay otherwise
provide inaccurate values .Some of these
values are required by law and must
therefore always be accurate.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 400).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 400).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. 186
Driving tipsDriving and parking

damaging the vehicle, make sure there is
always sufficient ground clearance.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 337).
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
Activate DSR( Ypage 246).
R Always keep the doors, tailgate, windows
and sliding sunroof closed while driving.
R Adapt your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the
terrain, the slower your speed should be.
R Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not
form as you drive.
R Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For
safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Look out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and furrows.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R When fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
R On sand, drive quickly to overcome the
rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's
wheels could become stuc kinloose
ground.
R Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
R Do not shift the automatic transmission to
transmission position N.
i Do not use the HOLD function when
driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill
gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.
The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle
on such surfaces. Checklist before driving off-road !
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
X Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the
engine oil level must be sufficiently high to
ensure a correc toil supply in the vehicle.
X DEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
fluid level and, if necessary, refill to the
maximum (13 l) (Y page 177).
X Wheel-changing tool kit: check that the
jac kis working and make sure you have the
lug wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a
loss of tire pressure and damage the tire
bead. Therefore, check your rims before
driving off-road and replace them as
required.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 246).
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
lower the vehicle to a ride height suitable
for the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level. 188
Driving tipsDriving and parking

brake using the brake controller, and check
the brakes for correct function.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if
applicable) the trailer brakes are
functioning correctly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
Al ower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an
additional distance beyond the vehicle you
are overtaking before returning to the
previous lane. Decoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overru nbrake
is engaged. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you
disconnect the trailer cable. This could result
in yourl imbs or those of other people that are
betwee nthe vehicle body and tires or
underneath the vehicle being trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnectt he trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the
rebounding of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake. 258
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
001F
Front Left
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Front Right Malfunction
Service Required SRS has malfunctioned at the front on the left or right. The
001F
warning lamp also lights up in the instrumen tcluster.
G WARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be
triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not
be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 001F
Rear Left
Malfunction
Service Required
or
Rear Right Malfunction
Service Required SRS has malfunctione
dat the rear on the left or right. The 001F
warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The ai rbags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be
triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not
be triggered.
There is an increased ris kofinjury.
X Visi taqualified specialist workshop. 001F
Rear Center
Malfunction
Service Required SRS has malfunctioned at the rear center. The
001Fwarning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be
triggered unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not
be triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 001F
Left Side Curtain
Airbag Malfunction
Service Required
or
Right Side Curtain Airbag
Malfunction
Service Required There is a malfunction in the left-hand or right-hand window
curtain air bag. The
001Fwarning lamp also lights up in the
instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The left or right window curtain air bag may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in the event of an accident, may not be
triggered.
There is an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 292
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

There is a bag hook in the cargo compartment
on the left-hand side.
X
Press bag hook marking 0002.
X Turn bag hook 0002until it engages.
Securing hooks There are two securing hooks
0002on each side
of the cargo compartment.
Only secure lightweight luggage items on the
mounting hooks to a maximum of 9 lbs
(4 kg). Cargo compartment cover
Important safety notes G
WARNING
On its own, the cargo compartment cover
cannot secure or restrain heavy objects,
items of luggage and heavy loads. You could
be hit by an unsecured load during sudden
changes in direction, braking or in the event of an accident. There is an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping over, e.g. by
using tie downs, even if you are using the
cargo compartment cover.
! When loading the vehicle, make sure that
you do not stack the load in the cargo
compartment higher than the lower edge of
the side windows. Do not place heavy
objects on top of the cargo compartment
cover.
A cargo compartment cover or a combined
cargo cover and net (cargo compartment
cover with cargo net) is installed, depending
on equipment, behind the rear bench seat
backrest.
Extending/retracting the cargo
compartment cover X
To extend: pull the cargo compartment
cover back by grab handle 0002and clip it
into retainers 0003on the left and right.
X To retract: unhook the cargo compartment
cover from left-hand and right-hand
retainers 0003.
X Guide cargo compartment cover forwards
by grab handle 0002until it is completely
rolled up. 338
Stowage areasStowage and features

Sun visors
Overview G
WARNING
If the mirror cover of the vanity mirror is folded
up when the vehicle is in motion, you could be
blinded by incident light. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always keep the mirror cover folded down
while driving. 0002
Mirror light
0003 Bracket
001F Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
001E Vanity mirror
001C Mirror cover
Vanity mirror in the sun visor Mirror light
0002only functions if the sun visor
is clipped into bracket 0003and mirror cover
001C has been folded up.
Glare from the side X
Fold down sun visor 0002.
X Pull sun visor 0002out of retainer 001F.
X Swing sun visor 0002to the side.
X Slide sun visor 0002horizontally as required.
X Fold down additional sun visor 0003to the
windshield. Roller sunblinds on the rear side
windows
! Always guide the roller sunblind by hand.
Do not let it snap back suddenly as this
would damage the automatic roller
mechanism.
! Do not drive the vehicle with the roller
sunblind hooked in and the side windows
opened simultaneously .The roller sunblind
can jump out of the retainers and spring
back suddenly when driving at high speeds,
e.g. when driving on the freeway. This could
damage the inertia reel. Therefore, either
close the side window or retract the roller
sunblind before driving at high speeds. X
To extend: pull the roller sunblind out by
tab 0002and hook it onto retainers 0003at the
back of the window. Features
345Stowage and features Z

Furthermore, you can download routes with
up to 20 way points.
You are prompted to confir mroute guidance
to the address entered.
The system calculates the route and
subsequently starts the route guidance with
the address entered.
i If you select No , the address can be stored
in the address book.
i The Destination Download function is
available if the corresponding mobile
phone network is available and data
transfer is possible.
i You can only use the Destination
Download function if the vehicle is
equipped with a navigation system.
Route Assistance
This service is part of the mbrace PLUS
Package and cannot be purchased
separately.
i You can also use the Route Assistance
function if your vehicle is not equipped with
a navigation system.
Within the framework of this service, you
receive a professional and reliable form of
navigation support without having to leave
your vehicle.
The customer service representative finds a
suitable route depending on your vehicle's
current position and the desired destination.
You will then be guided live through the
current route section.
Search &Send General notes
i
To use "Search &Send", your vehicle
must be equipped with mbrace and a
navigation system. You must also have an
mbrace service subscription.
"Search & Send" is a destination entry
service. Adestination address which is found
on Google Maps ®
can be transferred via mbrace directly to your vehicle's navigation
system.
Specifying and sending the destination
address
X
Go to the website http://
www.maps.google.com and enter a
destination address into the entry field.
X To send the destination address to the
e-mail address of your mbrace
account: click on the corresponding
button.
i Example:
If you select 'Send to vehicle' and then
'Mercedes-Benz', the destination address
will be sent to your vehicle.
X When the "Send" dialog window appears:
In the relevant field, enter the e-mail
address which you specified when
activating your mbrace account.
X Click "Send".
i Information on specific commands such
as "Address entry" or "Sending" can be
found on the website.
Calling up destination addresses
X Switch on the ignition.
The destination address is loaded into the
vehicle's navigation system.
Ad isplay message appears, asking
whether navigation should be started.
X Select Yes by sliding
00090002000Aand turning
000E0002000F the COMAND controller and press
000C to confirm.
The system calculates the route and
subsequently starts the rout eguidance
with the address entered.
i If you select No , the address can be stored
in the address book.
i If you have sent more than one
destination address, each individual
destination must be confirmed separately.
i Destination addresses are loaded in the
same order as the order in which they were Features
355Stowage and featu res Z

should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similars ituations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Neve rclean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission is in transmission position
N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off .Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
position Pautomatically and locks the
wheels .You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission to N
beforehand.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:
X Make sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2(Y page 157) in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield. 370
CareMaintenance and care