
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 72
Lowering ........................................ 253
Parking for a long period ................ 112
Pulling away................................... 104
Raising ........................................... 251
Securing from rolling away ............ 251
Tow-starting ................................... 222
Towing away .................................. 222
Transporting .................................. 224
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 75
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 72
Vehicle data ................................... 266
Vehicle data ....................................... 266
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 267
Fording depth ................................ 267
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 268
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 266
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 75
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 258
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 214
Ventilation
Setting the airflow ......................... 100
Video
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 172
Video (DVD) ........................................ 147
VIN ...................................................... 258
Voice Control System
see Separate operating instructions
W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 163
Brakes ........................................... 162
Coolant .......................................... 168
Cruise control ................................ 113
Distance warning ........................... 169
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 169 ESP ®
.............................................. 165
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 166
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) .................. 119
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) ......... 116
Overview .......................................... 34 PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 43
Restraint system ............................ 167
Seat belt ........................................ 161
Tire pressure monitor .................... 170
Warning triangle ................................ 214
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 148
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 253
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 250
Checking ........................................ 231
Cleaning ......................................... 211
Important safety notes .................. 230
Interchanging/changing ................ 250
Mounting a new whee l................... 253
Mounting a whee l.......................... 251
Overview ........................................ 230
Removing a whee l.......................... 253
Storing ........................................... 251
Technical data ............................... 254
Tightening torque ........................... 253
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 254
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 153
Operation ......................................... 51
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 100
Windshield heating ........................... 100
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 208
Notes ............................................. 265
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 96
Rear window wipe r.......................... 95
Replacing the wiper blades .............. 96
Switching on/of f.............................. 95
Winter driving
Slippery road surfaces ................... 112
Snow chains .................................. 232
Winter operation
General notes ................................ 232
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 232
20Index

Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecuredin the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could: R activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
R activate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud- den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R Adaptive brake lights
R ESP ®
(E lectronic Stability Program)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
R ADAPTIVE BRAKE
R Trailer stabilization
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
switch off
when the differential locks are switched on.
When the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP ®
are
switched off
R wheels may lock during hard braking
R steering capabilities are reduced
R braking distance is increased
R vehicle stability in standard driving maneu-
vers is increased
Make sure the differential locks are switched on at all times except when driving off-road for
example. Switch on the differential locks
immediately when returning from off-roaddriving.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can neither reduce the risk of an 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 a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front. Drive care-fully.
iPlease note that the driving safety sys-
tems described only work as effectively as
possible if there is adequate contact
between the tires and the road surface. Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and
tires" section ( Ypage 230).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section work as effectively as possible.
64Driving safety systems
Safety

XTo release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Pull parking brake ;up firmly.
X Press release button :on parking
brake ;and move parking brake ;down
to the stop.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the F(USA only)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp goes
out in the instrument cluster.
iIf you pull away with parking brake ;
applied, a warning tone sounds.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge.
X Connect a trickle charger.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics: R
General driving tips
R Engine oil R
Braking
- Important safety notes
- Downhill gradients
- Heavy and light loads
- Wet roads
- Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
- New brake pads/linings
- Servicing the brakes
- AMG high-performance and ceramic
brakes
R Driving on wet roads
R Winter driving
- General notes
- Driving with summer tires
- Slippery road surfaces
R Off-road driving
- General notes
- Driving on sand
- Tire ruts and gravel roads
- Driving over obstacles
R Traveling uphill
- Approach/departure angle
- Maximum gradient-climbing capability
- Hilltops
- Driving downhill
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The brake pedal moves when cruise control
brakes the vehicle. A foot in the area under
the brake pedal could become trapped. The
movement of the pedal, and therefore the
vehicle's ability to brake, may be restricted by objects in the area under the brake. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
112Driving systems
Driving an d parking

Deactivating the HOLD function
GWARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll awaydespite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if: R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until ëdis-
appears from the multifunction display.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if
there is a malfunction, the transmission may
also be automatically shifted into position P.
Permanent all-wheel drive
!
Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case. Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground or
be fully raised. Observe the instructions for
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
!When testing the parking brake, operate
the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.
When doing this, turn the SmartKey to posi-
tion 0or 1in the ignition. Failure to do this
can cause damage to the drive train or the brake system.
!A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle dyna-
mometer. 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.
The all-wheel drive system ensures that all
four wheels are permanently driven. The all-
wheel drive system improves vehicle traction together with ESP ®
and 4ETS if a drive wheel
spins due to insufficient grip.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R Take your foot off the accelerator, slowly,
while the vehicle is in motion.
The permanent all-wheel drive system can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics if you fail to adapt
your driving style or if you are inattentive. The
all-wheel drive system cannot take into
account road, weather or traffic conditions.
The all-wheel drive system is only an aid. You
are responsible for maintaining a safe dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane.
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains ( Ypage 232). Only in this way can the
maximum effect of all-wheel drive be ach-
ieved.
For information on driving off-road, see the
Digital Operator's Manual.
Driving syste ms127
Driving and parking
Z

Useful information............................230
Important safety notes .....................230
Operation ........................................... 230
Winter operation ............................... 232
Tire pressure ..................................... 232
Loading the vehicle ..........................238
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards .......................................... 242
Tire labeling ....................................... 244
Changing a wheel .............................. 250
Wheel and tire combinations ...........254
229
Wheels and tires

Useful information
iThis Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment 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.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: ( Ypage 28).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the originalpart.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R model
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R model
GWarning
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with a flat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center if you require information on tested and rec- ommended wheels and tires for summer and
winter driving. Advice on purchasing and car-
ing for tires is also available there.
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 work-
shop and ask 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
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section( Y page 254).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel fillerflap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
iFurther information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop.
Operation
Notes on driving
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
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. Oth-
erwise, the tires, particularly the sidewalls,
may be damaged.
230Operation
Wheels and tires

Regular checking of wheels and tires
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control ofyour vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
R 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. Damage includes bulges
and deformation on tires, cuts, punctures,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels, for
example. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire ( Ypage 231). In order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface,
turn the steering wheel to full lock.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do notinstall anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or a valve cap
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehi-
cle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, suchas tire pressure monitoring systems.
R You should regularly check the pressure of
all your tires including the spare wheel, par- ticularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary ( Ypage 237).
The service life of tires depends, among other things, on the following factors:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered
Tire tread
GWARNING
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 con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent 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: âin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Marking :shows the tread wear indicator
(TWI). The arrow indicates the placement of
the tire tread.
Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth. tire traction on wet road surfaces decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth is
approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The recommen-
ded tread depth for winter tires is at least 1
/ 6
in (4 mm).
Operation231
Wheels and tires
Z

Selecting, mounting and replacing tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount approved tires of the correct
size onto the wheels.
R Tires are supplied with a protective layer
from the factory. Break in new tires at mod-
erate speeds for the first 60 miles
(100 km). They only reach their full per-
formance 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 lat-
est, regardless of wear. This also applies to
the spare wheel.
Winter operation
You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing 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.
iThe specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure 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 pres-
sure 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 a trailer: the applicable
value for the rear tires is the maximum tire
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
:Recommended tire pressures
232Tire pressure
Wheels and tires