
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 144
Switching on/off .............................. 83
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
(definition) ......................................... 249
Type identification plate see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................69
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 69 V
Variable SPEEDTRONIC Function/notes ............................. 112
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 27
Data acquisition ............................... 27
Display message .................... 144, 157
Equipment ....................................... 26
Limited Warranty ............................. 27
Loading .......................................... 237
Locking (in an emergency) ...............69
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 66
Lowering ........................................ 253
Parking for a long period ................ 106
Pulling away ..................................... 98
Raising ........................................... 251
Securing from rolling away ............251
Towing away .................................. 221
Tow-starting ................................... 221
Transporting .................................. 223
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........69
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................66
Vehicle data ................................... 264
Vehicle data ....................................... 264
Vehicle data (off-road driving) Approach/departure angl e............ 265
Fording depth ................................ 264
Maximum gradient climbing ability 265
Vehicle dimensions ...........................264
Vehicle emergency locking ................69
Vehicle identification number see VIN Vehicle identification plate
..............258
Vehicle level (display message) .......144
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 212
Ventilation Setting the airflow ........................... 94
Video
see also Digital Operator's Manual 170
Video (DVD) ........................................ 144
VIN ...................................................... 258
Voice Control System see Separate operating instructions W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 160
Brakes ........................................... 159
Coolant .......................................... 165
Cruise control ................................ 110
Distance warning ........................... 166
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 166
ESP ®
.............................................. 162
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 163
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................116
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC )......... 113
Overview .......................................... 32
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ...............44
Seat belt ........................................ 158
SRS ................................................ 164
Tire pressure monitor ....................167
Warning triangle ................................ 212
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 144
Weather display (COMAND)
see also Digital Operator's Manual 170
Wheel bolt tightening torque ...........253
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 249
Checking ........................................ 229
Cleaning ................................ 206, 208
Cleaning (warning) .........................250
Important safety notes ..................228
Interchanging/changing ................249
Mounting a new wheel ...................252
Mounting a wheel .......................... 250
Overview ........................................ 228
Removing a wheel ..........................252
Storing ........................................... 250 Index
19

Technical data
............................... 253
Tightening torque ........................... 253
Wheel size/tire size .......................253
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 150
Operation ........................................ .44
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) .....209
Windshield Defrosting ........................................ 94
Windshield heating .............................94
Windshield washer fluid see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid .......................204
Filling capacity ............................... 263
Notes ............................................. 263
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) .....................89
Rear window wiper ..........................88
Replacing the wiper blades ..............88
Switching on/off .............................. 87
Winter driving
Slippery road surfaces ...................106
Snow chains .................................. 230
Winter operation
General notes ................................ 230
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 230
Wiper blades
Cleaning ................................ 206, 209
Important safety notes ....................88
Replacing ......................................... 88
Wooden trim (cleaning instructions) 21020
Index

X
If appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 130).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
At speeds above approximately 37 mph
(60 km/h), traction control is no longer
active.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. X
To deactivate: press button:until the
å warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
X To activate: press button :until the
å warning lamp goes out in the
instrument cluster.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with the ECO start/stop
function: the ECO start/stop function
automatically switches the engine off when
the vehicle comes to a stop. 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 engine
was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated. 62
Driving safety systemsSafety

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential
lock each for:
R the transfer case: this controls the balance
between the front and rear axles.
R the rear axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the rear axle.
R the front axle: this controls the balance
between the wheels on the front axle.
Information on differential and
differential locks When the vehicle drives around a curve, the
wheels on the outside of the curve must cover
a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn
more rapidly than on the inside. The
differential, a transmission in the drive train,
compensates for these different rotational
speeds, making cornering possible.
The disadvantage of a differential is that more
power is transferred to the wheels that have
the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven
axle is on a snow-covered surface and
therefore does not have any traction. The
differential causes this wheel to be subjected
to the strongest driving force, as the flow of
force takes the path of least resistance. The
opposite wheel on this axle, however, which
stands on firm ground and could therefore
allow propulsion, receives no driving power.
4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.
4ETS provides good steerability by
automatically braking the spinning wheel.
4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface
with more drive force, which in turn provides
propulsion.
ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are
ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-
road driving. The LOW RANGEoff-road gear
also improves off-road capability.
Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-
road driving require further measures such as
locking one or several differentials. Your
vehicle is equipped with three differential
locks: R
a central differential lock for the transfer
case,
R a differential lock for the front axle and
R a differential lock for the rear axle.
Each differential lock can be engaged with the
respective switch on the center console. If
the transfer case differential is disabled, the
front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.
If the differential for the rear axle is locked,
both rear wheels turn at the same speed,
regardless of their individual torques. Please
note that activating the differential locks
severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.
Please note that the functions of the
differential are absolutely necessary for
driving on paved roads. The differential locks
must never be engaged when driving on
paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not
be steerable and you could lose control of the
vehicle. The differential locks must therefore
only be engaged when driving off-road. You
may only engage the differential locks if the
functions of the 4ETS and ESP ®
driving
systems and the LOW RANGEoff-road gear
are insufficient.
i The differential locks are only available in
the LOW RANGE off-road gear.
Engaging the differential locks Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm,
high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is
greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the
differential locks when cornering could lead
to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a
risk of an accident.
Disengage the differential locks immediately
on firm surfaces with good grip. G
WARNING
When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,
4ETS, ESP ®
and BAS are deactivated. As a
result, the wheels could lock when braking 132
Off-road driving systemsDriving and parking

Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number) This is a unique identifier which can be used
by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
The TWR specifies the maximum permissible
weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow
hitch can support. Treadwear indicators Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of
áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus 150 lbs
(68 kg) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 214) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. Rotating the wheels
G
WARNING
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible. G
WARNING
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle's rims.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel. Changing a wheel
249Wheels and tires Z

G
WARNING
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.
Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise, the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
! To prevent damage to the paintwork, hold
the wheel securely against the wheel hub
while screwing in the first wheel bolt.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 249).
X Clean the wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
X Place the new wheel on the wheel hub and
push it on.
X Tighten the wheel bolts until they are
finger-tight.
Lowering the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts
and bolts are not tightened to the specified
tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.
Have the tightening torque immediately
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
after a wheel is changed. X
Open the pressure release screw on the
jack using the pump lever (Y page 251) by
approximately one turn.
X Lower the vehicle until it is once again
standing firmly on the ground. X
Place the jack to one side.
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated (: toA). The specified
tightening torque is 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
X Disassemble the pump lever.
X Push the jack piston back in and close the
drain plug.
X Use the bolts to secure the faulty wheel to
the spare wheel bracket (Y page 213).
X Stow the jack and the vehicle tools in the
vehicle again.
X Check the tire pressure of the newly
installed wheel and adjust it if necessary.
A table with the tire pressures for your
vehicle can be found on the B-pillar on the
driver's side. Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct. G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct. Wheel and tire combinations
253Wheels and tires Z