should have all work involving the battery car-ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS malfunctions, the wheels can lock during braking. This limits the steerability of the vehicle
when braking and may increase the braking dis-
tance.
If ESP
®malfunctions, the vehicle will not be sta-
bilized if it starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
iFor further information about ABS and
ESP®, see (Ypage 55) and (Ypage 57).
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ-
ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
RMake sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into con- tact with vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
RIt is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
RWhen jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
RIt is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The highly flammable gas mixture forms when
charging the battery as well as when jump-start-
ing. Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery is electrostatically charged. A build-up of
electrostatic charge can be caused, for exam-
ple:
Rby wearing clothing made from synthetic
fibers
Rdue to friction between clothing and seats
Rif you push or pull the battery across the car-
pet or other synthetic materials
Rif you wipe the battery with a cloth
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep children away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately with
plenty of clean water and seek medical atten-
tion.
!Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the Mainte-
nance Booklet or contact a qualified specialist
workshop for more information.
!You should have all work involving the bat-
tery carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop. In the exceptional case that it is neces-
sary for you to disconnect the battery your-
self, make sure that:
Ryou switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey. Check that all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster are off.
Otherwise, electronic components, such as
the alternator, may be damaged.
Ryou first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal
clamp. Never swap the terminal clamps.
Otherwise, the vehicle's electronic system
may be damaged.
Ron vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. The vehicle
is secured against rolling away. You can
then no longer move the vehicle.
The battery and the cover of the positive ter-
minal clamp must be installed securely during
operation.
Battery (vehicle)251
Breakdown assistance
Z
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
In order for the battery to achieve the maximum
possible service life, it must always be suffi-
ciently charged.
Comply with safety precautions and take pro-
tective measures when handling batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
prohibited when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or
clothing.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
The vehicle battery, like other batteries, can dis-
charge over time if you do not use the vehicle. In
this case, have the battery disconnected at a
qualified specialist workshop. You can also
charge the battery with a charger recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a qualified special-
ist workshop for further information.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries which have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehicle
occupants from suffering acid burns should the
battery be damaged in the event of an accident.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop if you wish to leave your vehicle
parked for a long period of time.
iRemove the SmartKey if you park the vehi-
cle and do not require any electrical consum-
ers. The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
iIf the power supply has been interrupted,
e.g. due to a discharged battery, you will have
to:
Rset the clock. Information on setting the
clock can be found in the separate operat-
ing instructions.
On vehicles with COMAND and a navigation
system, the clock is set automatically.
Rreset the head restraints on the front seats
(Ypage 75)
Rreset the function for folding the exterior
mirrors in/out automatically, by folding the
mirrors out once (
Ypage 81).
Charging the battery
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
252Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance
the battery. Keep children away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately withplenty of clean water and seek medical atten-
tion.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at tempera-
tures below freezing point. When jump-start-
ing the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of
an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
!Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
!Only use battery chargers with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
!Onlycharge the installed battery with a bat-
tery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charged while
still installed in the vehicle.
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/
warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not
light up, it is highly likely that the discharged
battery has frozen. In this case you may neither
jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery.
The service life of a thawed-out battery may be
shorter. The starting characteristics can be
impaired, particularly at low temperatures. Have
the thawed-out battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
A battery charger unit specially adapted for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz is available as an
accessory. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for information and availability.
Charge the battery in accord
ance with the oper-
ating instructions for the battery charger.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (
Ypage 254).
XRead the operating instructions for the bat-
tery charger.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 236).
XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same order
as when connecting the donor battery in the
jump-starting procedure (
Ypage 254).
Battery (vehicle)253
Breakdown assistance
Z
Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point, consisting of a pos-
itive terminal and a ground point, in the engine compartment.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over the
battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash away battery acid immediately with plenty of
clean water and seek medical attention.
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient ven-
tilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or sparks
are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
RMake sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a battery.
RIt is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
RWhen jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
RIt is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion. Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
!Vehicles with a gasoline engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the
catalytic converter could be damaged by non-combusted fuel.
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not light up,
it is highly likely that the discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the
vehicle nor charge the battery.
Once the battery has thawed out, its service life may be dramatically reduced.
The starting characteristics can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures.
Have the thawed-out battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
254Jump-starting
Breakdown assistance
Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
RThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible, jump-
start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
RVehicles with a gasoline engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
RDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
RJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
ROnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
RIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected for
a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
RMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
Rthe jumper cables are not damaged.
Rwhen the jumper cables are connected to the battery, uninsulated sections of the terminal clamp
do not come into contact with other metal sections.
Rthe jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the pulley or the fan. These parts
move when the engine is started and while it is running.
XApply the parking brake.
XMove the selector lever to position P.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
XOpen the hood (Ypage 236).
Position number Bidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-starting
device.
The jump-starting connection point consists of poles ;and =.
Jump-starting255
Breakdown assistance
Z
XLift up cover:of positive terminal ;in the direction of the arrow.
XConnect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal ?of donor battery Busing the
jumper cable. beginning with your own battery.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal Aof donor battery Bto ground point =of your vehicle using the
jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point =and negative terminal A, then from pos-
itive clamp ;and positive terminal ?. Each time beginning with your vehicle's battery.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
iJump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
!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 simi-
lar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to the
towing eyes. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This
could damage the vehicle.
!Do not use the towing eyes for recovery pur-
poses as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
!Your vehicles is equipped with an automatic
transmission. Therefore, you must not have
the vehicle tow-started. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
iDetails on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate (
Ypage 288).
256Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance
In the event of damage to the front axle
Haveth epropelle rshaf tbetween th erear axl e
and th etransfer cas eremoved.
Hav eth evehicl etowed wit hth efron taxl e
raised.
In the event of damage to the rear axle
Hav eth epropelle rshaf tbetween th efron taxl e
and th etransfer cas eremoved.
Hav eth evehicl etowed wit hth erear axl eraised
and wit hwhee lroller sunder th efron taxle.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicles wit hautomatic transmission must
no tbe tow-started. You could otherwise dam-
age th eautomatic transmission .
You can fin dinformation on "Jump-starting "
under (
Ypage 254).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
If you manipulat eor bridge afault yfus eor if
you replace it wit h afusewit h a higher amper-
age, th eelectric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in afire. Ther eis aris kof an
acciden tand injury.
Always replace fault yfuses wit hth especifie d
ne wfuses having th ecorrec tamperage .
!Only use fuses that hav ebeen approve dfor
Mercedes-Ben zvehicles and whic hhave th e
correc tfus erating for th esystem concerned.
Otherwise, component sor systems could be
damaged.
The fuses in your vehicl eserve to close down
fault ycircuits. If afus eblows ,all th ecompo -
nent son th ecircuit and their function sstop
operating .
Blown fuses must be replace dwit hfuses of th e
sam erating ,whic hyou can recognize by th e
color and value .The fus erating sare listed in th e
fus eallocation chart .
iIfafus ehas blown ,contact abreakdown
servic eor an authorize dMercedes-Ben zCen -
ter.
If anewly inserted fus ealso blows ,hav eth e
caus etrace dand rectifie dat aqualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. an authorize dMercedes-Ben z
Center.
Before changing a fuse
XPark th evehicl eand apply th eparking brake.
XSwitc hoff all electrical consumers.
XRemove th eSmartKey from th eignition lock.
All indicator lamp sin th einstrumen tcluste r
must be off .
The fuses are locate din various fus eboxes:
RMain fus ebox on th edriver' sside of th edash -
boar d
RFusebox in th efront-passenger footwell
RFus ebox in th etransmission tunne l
RFusebox in th ebattery cas e
RFusebox in th ecargo compartmen t
The fus eallocation chart and th espar efuses are
in th emain fus ebox on th edashboar d
(
Ypage 259).
You will fin dth efus eremoval device in th evehi-
cle tool kit (
Ypage 248).
Dashboard fuse box
!
Do no tuse apointe dobjec tsuc has ascrew-
driver to open th ecover in th edashboard. You
could damag eth edashboar dor th ecover .
!Makesur ethat no moisture can ente rth e
fus ebox when th ecover is open .
!When closingth ecover ,mak esur ethat it is
lyin gcorrectl yon th efus ebox .Moistur eseep -
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair th eoper -
ation of th efuses.
Fuses259
Breakdown assistance
Z