2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class maintenance

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you first drive off, read this Operator's
Manual carefully and familiarize yourself with
yourv ehicle. For your own safety and a longer
vehicle life, follow the instructions and
warning notices in this manual. Disregarding
them may lead to damage to the vehicle or
personal injury.
Vehicle damage resulting from the disregard
of the instructions is not covered by the
Mercedes-BenzL imited Warranty.
The equipmen tormodel designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
Therefore, descriptions may vary from those
of your own vehicle.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependen tsupplements
Keep printed copies of the documents in the
vehicle at all times .Ifyou sell the vehicle,
always pass the documents on to the new
owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
AD aimler Company
1665848681É1665848681QËÍ

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 23 At
ag lance ........................................... 31 Safety
................................................... 41 Opening and closing
...........................77 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
..101 Lights and windshield wipers
..........119 Climate control
................................. 137 Driving and parking
..........................155 On-board computer and displays
....261 Stowage and features
......................331 Maintenance and care
......................363 Breakdown assistance
.....................379 Wheels and tires
............................... 397 Technical data
................................... 441 Contents
3

Notes/function
.............................. 233
Trailer towing ................................. 235
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 177
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 448
Brake Assist see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 289
Notes ............................................. 450
Brake lamps
Changing bulbs .............................. 132
Display message ............................ 296
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................69
BAS .................................................. 67
BAS PLUS ........................................ 67
Brake fluid (notes) .........................450
Display message ............................ 283
Driving tips .................................... 183
High-performance brake system ....184
Important safety notes ..................183
Maintenance .................................. 184
Parking brake ................................ 180
Warning lamp ................................. 318
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................24
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 377
Car wash ........................................ 370
Display ........................................... 374
Exhaus tpipe .................................. 374
Exterior lights ................................ 373Gea
rors electo rlever .................... 376
Interior ........................................... 374
Matte finish ................................... 372
Nigh tView Assist Plus ...................375
Notes ............................................. 369
Paint .............................................. 371
Plastic trim .................................... 375
Power washer ................................ 371
Rea rview camera .......................... 373
Roof lining ...................................... 377
Seat bel t........................................ 377
Seat cover ..................................... 376
Sensors ......................................... 373
Steering wheel ............................... 376
Trim pieces .................................... 376
Washing by hand ........................... 371
Wheels ........................................... 372
Windows ........................................ 372
Wiper blades .................................. 373
Wooden trim .................................. 376
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/ho wtouse......................... 338
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes ..................335
Cargo compartment floor
Opening/closing ............................ 342
Stowag ewell (under) ..................... 342
Cargo net
Attaching ....................................... 340
Important safety information .........340
Cargo tie down rings .........................337
Car keys see SmartKey
Car wash (care) ................................. 370
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 270
Center console Lowe rsection .................................. 37
Uppe rsection .................................. 36
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 276
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........79
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps ................................... 132
High-beam headlamps ...................130
Important safety notes ..................128
Low-beam headlamps ....................1306
Index

Level control (vehicles with
AIRMATIC package)
Basic settings ................................ 211
Function/notes ............................. 210
Important safety notes ..................210
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package)
Basi csettings ................................ 205
Function/notes ............................. 204
Important safety notes ..................204
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 297
Light function ,active
Display message ............................ 298
Lights
Activating/deactivating the
interio rlighting delayed switch-off .276
Active light function .......................125
Automatic headlamp mode ............120
Cornering light function .................125
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Hazard warning lamps ...................124
High beam flasher .......................... 124
High-beam headlamps ...................124
Ligh tswitc h................................... 120
Low-beam headlamps ....................121
Parking lamps ................................ 122
Rea rfog lamp ................................ 122
Setting the brightness of the
ambient lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 275
Setting the color of the ambient
lighting (on-board computer) .........275
Standing lamps .............................. 123
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 275
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 274
Switching the exterio rlighting
delayed switch-off on/off (on-
board computer )............................ 275
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........275
Turn signals ................................... 123
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
see Lights Light sensor (display message)
.......298
Loading guidelines ............................332
Locking see Centra llocking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 86
Emergency locking ........................... 87
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 85
Locking centrally
see Centra llocking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 276
Low-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 130
Display message ............................ 295
Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 120
Switching on/off ........................... 121
LOW RANGE
Display message ............................ 304
Off-road gea r................................. 250
LOW RANGE off-road gear ................250
Luggage holde r(EASY-PACK load-
securing kit) ...................................... .341
Lumbar support Adjusting (on the seat) ..................107
Luxury head restraints .....................105 M
M+S tires ............................................ 400
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS
Malfunction message
see Display messages
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 372
mbrace Call priority .................................... 354
Display message ............................ 289
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 354
Downloading route s....................... 358
Emergency call .............................. 351
Geo fencing ................................... 358
Important safety notes ..................350
Locating astolen vehicl e............... 357 Index
13

Trailer towing
Active Blind Spo tAssist ................. 240
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............243
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 235
PARKTRONI C................................. 216
Permissible trailer loads and
drawba rnoseweights ..................... 259
Transfer case ..................................... 173
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transmission position display .........165
Transmission position display
(DIRECT SELECTl ever)...................... 165
Transporting the vehicle ..................393
Traveling uphill Brow of hill ..................................... 191
Driving downhill ............................. 191
Maximum gradient-climbing
capability ....................................... 191
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .376
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 267
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 266
Resetting (on-board computer) ......268
see Trip odometer
Trunk
see Tailgate
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 295
Switching on/off ........................... 123
see Turn signals
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 421
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................86
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 85 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........345
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Display message ............................ 312
Equipment ....................................... 24
Individua lsettings .......................... 274
Limited Warranty ............................. 28
Loading .......................................... 410
Locking (in an emergency) ...............87
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 79
Lowering ........................................ 426
Maintenance .................................... 25
Parking for a long period ................ 182
Pulling away ................................... 160
Raising ........................................... 423
Reporting problems .........................28
Securing from rolling away ............422
Towing away .................................. 391
Transporting .................................. 393
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........86
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................79
Vehicle data ................................... 452
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 452
Vehicle dimensions ...........................452
Vehicle emergency locking ................87
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............443
Vehicle level (display message) .......302
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 380
Video Operating the DVD ......................... 270
VIN ...................................................... 443 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 319
Brakes ........................................... 318
Check Engine ................................. 325
Coolant .......................................... 326
Distance warning ........................... 328
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 328 Index
21

Operator's Manual
General notes
Before you first drive off, read this Operator's
Manual carefully and familiarize yourself with
your vehicle.
For your own safety and a longer vehicle life,
follow the instructions and warning notices in
this manual. Disregarding them may lead to
damage to the vehicle or personal injury.
Vehicle damage resulting from the disregard
of the instructions is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. 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. The equipment in your vehicle
may therefore differ from some of the
descriptions or illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all
systems installed in your vehicle.
Contac tanauthorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter
if you have any questions about equipment or
operation.
The Operator's Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-BenzC enter will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the term softhe following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws) Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period of
18 months from original delivery of the
vehicle or the accumulation of 18,000 miles
(approximately 29,000 km) on the odometer
of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a
reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyerorl essee if one or
more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
or malfunction has been subject to repair
two or more times, and you have directly 24
Introduction

notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in
writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantia ldefect or
malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified us in writing of the need for its
repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or differen tsubstantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your writte nnotice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet. Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada) .You will find both
in your vehicle literature portfolio. Change of address or change of
ownership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Notification of Address Change"
in the Service and Guarantee booklet or
simply call the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center (USA) at the hotline
number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service Center (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner.
If you have purchased a used car, please send
us the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" in
the Service and Guarantee booklet or simply
call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA Introduction
25 Z

qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs. Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves USA:
"The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subjec tto the following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
harmful interference, and 2) These devices
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment."
Canada: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) These devices
may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device." Diagnostics connection
G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the on-board
diagnostics connection, it can affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. This can
impair the operating safety of your vehicle
while driving. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to the on-
board diagnostics connection. G
WARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables which
are connected to the on-board diagnostics
connection can obstruct the area around the
pedals. The equipment or the cables could
come between the pedals in the event of sudden braking or acceleration. This may
affect the function of the pedals. There is a
risk of an accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver's footwell.
! If the engine is switched off and
equipment on the diagnostics connection
is used, the starter battery may discharge.
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can, for example, lead to
emissions monitoring information being
reset. This may lead to the vehicle failing to
meet the requirements of the next emissions
test during the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components Correct use
G
WARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not Introduction
27 Z