2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class check engine light

Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle ..............190
Ashtray ............................................... 346
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 272
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ........369
Hiding a service message ..............369
Notes ............................................. 368
Resetting the service interval
displa y........................................... 369
Service message ............................ 368
Special service requirements ......... 369
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................75
Function .......................................... .75
Switching off the alarm ....................75
ATTENTIO NASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................273
Display message ............................ 302
Function/notes ............................. 230
Audio menu (on-board computer) ....269
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Centers
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshops
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 298
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 162
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) ..........................162
Automatic headlamp mode ..............120
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............169
Changing gea r............................... 168
DIRECT SELECT leve r..................... 165
Display message ............................ 312
Drive program displa y.................... 165Driving tips
.................................... 168
Emergency running mode ..............173
Engaging drive position .................. 167
Engaging neutra l............................ 166
Engaging par kposition
automatically ................................. 166
Engaging revers egear ................... 166
Engaging the par kposition ............ 165
Kickdow n....................................... 168
Manual drive program ....................171
Overview ........................................ 165
Problem (malfunction) ...................173
Progra mselector button ................169
Pulling away ................................... 160
Shift range s................................... 170
Starting the engine ........................159
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......169
Trailer towing ................................. 168
Transmission position displa y........ 165
Transmissio npositions .................. 167
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 173
Axle load, permissible (trailer
towing) ............................................... 455 B
Bag hook ............................................ 337
Ball coupling Installing ........................................ 255
Removing ....................................... 259
Storing ........................................... 260
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................67
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 67
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 81
Important safety notes ....................81
Replacing ......................................... 81
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 387
Display message ............................ 300
Important safety notes ..................385
Jump starting ................................. 389
Overview ........................................ 385
Blin dSpot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................273
Display message ............................ 306 Index
5

Overview of bulb types
..................129
Parking lamps ................................ 131
Removing/replacing the cover
(front wheel arch) .......................... 129
Side marker lamps .........................131
Standing lamps (front) ...................131
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................64
Rea rdoors ....................................... 65
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 60
Restraint systems ............................ 60
Specia lseat belt retractor ...............62
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 63
Top Tether ....................................... 63
Cigarette lighter ................................ 346
Cleaning Mirro rturn signal ........................... 373
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 374
Climate control
Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 142
Controlling automatically ...............145
Cooling with aird ehumidification..145
Defrosting the windows .................149
Defrosting the windshield ..............148
Dual-zone automatic climate
control ........................................... 139
Important safety notes ..................138
Indicator lamp ................................ 145
Information on using 3-zone
automatic climate control ..............144
Maximum cooling .......................... 148
Notes on using automatic climate
control ........................................... 141
Overview of systems ......................138
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 145
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 150
Rea rcontrol panel ......................... 142
Setting the aird istribution.............147
Setting the airflow .........................147
Setting the airv ents...................... 151
Setting the climate mode (AIR
FLOW) ............................................ 146Setting the temperature
................146
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 150
Switching on/off ........................... 144
Switching residual hea ton/off ......150
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off ............................ 149
Switching the ZONE function on/
off .................................................. 148
Coat hooks ......................................... 340
Cockpit Overview .......................................... 32
see Instrument cluster
COLLISIO NPREVENTION ASSIST .......68
COMAND ON&OFFROAD menu .....................252
see separate operating instructions
COMAND display
Cleaning ......................................... 374
Combination switch ..........................123
Combine dcargo cover and net ........339
Compass Calling up ....................................... 362
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 267
Convenience closing feature ..............93
Convenience opening feature ............93
Coolan t(engine)
Checkin gthe level ......................... 367
Display message ............................ 299
Filling capacity ............................... 451
Important safety notes ..................451
Temperature (on-board computer) .278
Temperature gauge ........................ 263
Warning lamp ................................. 326
Cooling
see Climate control
Cornering light function
Display message ............................ 295
Function/notes ............................. 125
Crash-responsive emergency
lighting ............................................... 128
Cruise control Activating ....................................... 193
Activatio ncondition s..................... 192
Cruise control leve r....................... 192
Deactivating ................................... 194 Index
7

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consists of:
R
001F SRS warning lamp
R Air bags
R The air bag control unit with crash sensors
R Emergency Tensioning Devices for the
front seat belts and the outer seat belts in
the rear
R Belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamp G
WARNING
The SRS self-chec khas detected a
malfunction if the 001FSRS indicator lamp:
R does no tlight up at all
R does not go out after approximately four
seconds after the engine is started
R lights up after the engin eis started or while
the vehicle is in motion
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. SRS may otherwise fail
to activate when it is needed in the event of
an accident, which could lead to serious or
fatal injuries. SRS might also be activated
unexpectedly and unnecessarily, which could
also result in injury.
In addition, work carried out improperly on
SRS may render SRS inoperative or cause
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
SRS system should only be carried out by
qualified specialist personnel. Consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for details. USA only: for further information,
contact our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 001F SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the 001FSRS warning lamp
goes out while the engine is running.
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags G
WARNING
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment.C heck your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. PRE-
SAFE ®
has electrically operated reversible
belt tensioners in addition to the
pyrotechnic ETDs.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts. Occupant safety
43Safety
Z

R
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 73)
R STEER CONTROL (Y page 75)Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain asafe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Please pay special
attention to the note son tires,
recommended minimu mtire tread depths,
etc. (Y page 398).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 66). G
WARNING
If ABSi s faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents. Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 318) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 283).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
The yellow 0019ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R
vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 248)
R vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 248) 66
Driving safety systemsSafety

In appropriate driving situations, activate the
off-road program:
X Vehicles withou tthe ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 248)
X Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package
(Y page 248)
Off-road 4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) A4
ETS syste mspecifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on:
R vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package (Y page 248)
R vehicles with the ON&OFFROA Dpackage
(Y page 248)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle .Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: only operate the
vehicle for a maximum of ten seconds on a
brake test dynamometer. Switch off the
ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: function or
performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. Before you
operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 0017warning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engin eis running. If the
000F warning lamp and the 0017
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 321) and displaym essages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 283).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 000FESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. Example:if ESP®
was
deactivated before the engin ewas switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® Important safety notes
You can selec
tbetween the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. Driving safet
ysystems
71Safety Z

Strong magnetic fields can occur in the
vicinity of powerful electrical installations.
R Do not keep the SmartKey:
- with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey
- with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
- inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can affect the functionality of the
SmartKey.
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key in the
temperature-controlled cup holder.
Otherwise, the KEYLESS-GO key will not be
recognized. SmartKey functions
0002
000B To lock the vehicle
0003 0004 To open/close the tailgate
001F 000C To unlock the vehicle
X To unloc kcentrally: press the 000C
button.
If you do not open th evehicle within
approximately 40 seconds of unlocking:
R the vehicle is locked again.
R the theft deterrent locking system is
armed again.
X To lock centrally: press the000Bbutton.
The SmartKey centrally locks/unlocks:
R the doors
R the tailgate
R the fuel filler flap When unlocking, the turn signals flash once.
When locking, they flash three times.
You can also set an audible signal to confirm
that the vehicle has been locked. The audible
signal can be activated and deactivated using
the on-board computer (Y
page 276).
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page 275). KEYLESS-GO
General notes Bear in mind that the engine can be started
by any of the vehicle occupants if there is a
KEYLESS-GO key in the vehicle.
Locking/unlocking centrally
You can start, lock or unlock the vehicle using
KEYLESS-GO. To do this, you only need carry
the SmartKey with you. You can combine the
functions of KEYLESS-GO with those of a
conventional SmartKey. Unlock the vehicle
by using KEYLESS-GO, for instance, and lock
it using the
000Bbutton on the SmartKey.
When locking or unlocking with KEYLESS-GO,
the distance between the SmartKey and the
corresponding door handle must not be
greater than 3 ft (1 m).
KEYLESS-GO checks whether a valid
SmartKey is in the vehicle by periodically
establishing a radio connection between the
vehicle and the SmartKey. This happens:
R when the external door handles are
touched
R when starting the engine
R while the vehicle is in motion SmartKey
79Opening and closing Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 387).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 389).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started using KEYLESS-
GO. The SmartKey is in
the vehicle. Ad
oor is open. Therefore, the SmartKey cannot be detected as
easily.
X Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
R starting the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, and do not give them access
to an unlocked vehicle. Achild's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in
operation even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the ignition, such as the
seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment or memory function.
If children open a door, they could cause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if
they get out of the vehicle, they could injure 84
DoorsOpening and closing

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 27).Correct driver's seat position
G
WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you
do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R faste nthe seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and mirror and fasten your
seat belt before starting the engine. X
Observe the safety guidelines on seat
adjustment (Y page 103).
X Make sure that seat 001Fis adjusted
properly.
Electrical seat adjustment (Y page 104)
When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
R you are as far away from the driver's air bag
as possible.
R you are sitting in a normal upright position.
R you can fasten the seat belt properly.
R you have moved the backrest to an almost
vertical position.
R you have set the seat cushion angle so that
your thighs are gently supported.
R you can depress the pedals properly.
X Check whether the head restraint is
adjusted properly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back
of your head is supported at eye level by
the center of the head restraint.A lso make
sure that you have adjusted the head
restraint so that the back of your head is as
close to the head restraint as possible .This
will be the case if the head restraint is
adjusted correctly (Y page 105).
X Observe the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment (Y page 110).
X Make sure that steering wheel 0002is
adjusted properly.
Adjusting the steering wheel manually
(Y page 110)
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically
(Y page 111)
When adjusting the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent.
R you can move your legs freely.
R you can see all the displays in the
instrumentc luster clearly.
X Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Y page 54). 102
Correct driver's seat positionSeats, steering wheel and mirrors