
Towing eyeFront .............................................. 257
Rear ...............................................2 57
Trailer
7-pin connector .............................1 69
Power supply ................................. 168
Trailer coupling (cleaning instruc-
tions) ..................................................2 45
Trailer loads
Technical data ............................... 298
Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 298
Trailer towing
ESP
®................................................ 58
PARKTRONIC ................................. 160
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 162
Shift range ..................................... 162
Shifting .......................................... 162
Shifting (general notes) .................. 162
Shifting (important safety notes) ... 162
Shifting to neutral .......................... 163
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 163
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 163
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission positions .................... 121
Transporting the vehicle .................. 258
Traveling uphill
Brow of hill ..................................... 140
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 173
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 173
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 174
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ..................... 94
Display message ............................ 190
Switching on/off .............................. 88
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) (defi-
nition) ................................................. 281
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 66
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 65
V
Vanity mirrorSun visor ........................................ 221
Variable SPEEDTRONIC
Function/notes ............................. 145
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 23
Data acquisition ............................... 24
Display message ............................ 201
Emergency locking ........................... 66
Emergency unlocking ....................... 66
Equipment ....................................... 20
Individual settings .......................... 178
Limited Warranty ............................. 24
Loading .......................................... 271
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 60
Lowering ........................................ 284
Maintenance .................................... 21
Parking for a long period ................ 132
Pulling away ................................... 113
Raising ........................................... 282
Reporting problems ......................... 23
Securing from rolling away ............ 282
Tow-starting ................................... 256
Towing away .................................. 256
Transporting .................................. 258
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 60
Vehicle data ................................... 295
Vehicle data ....................................... 295
Vehicle data (off-road driving)
Approach/departure angle ............ 296
Fording depth ................................ 296
Maximum gradient climbing abil-
ity .................................................. 297
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 295
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 288
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 248
Index17

VentilationSetting the airflow ......................... 105
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 176
VIN ...................................................... 288
W
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 206
Brakes ........................................... 205
Check Engine ................................. 210
Coolant .......................................... 210
Cruise control ................................ 142
Distance warning ........................... 212
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 212
ESP
®.............................................. 207
ESP®OFF ....................................... 208
Fuel tank ........................................ 210
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) .................. 149
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) ......... 145
Overview .................................. 28, 202
Parking brake ................................ 209
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 35
Reserve fuel ................................... 210
Restraint system ............................ 209
Seat belt ........................................ 204
Tire pressure monitor .................... 213
Warning triangle ................................ 248
Warranty .............................................. 20
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 202
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 284
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 281
Checking ........................................ 262
Cleaning ......................................... 242
Important safety notes .................. 262
Interchanging/changing ................ 281
Mounting a new wheel ................... 284
Mounting a wheel .......................... 282
Overview ........................................ 262
Removing a wheel .......................... 283
Storing ........................................... 282
Technical data ............................... 284
Tightening torque ........................... 284
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 284 Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 188
Operation ......................................... 43
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) ..... 243
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 105
Windshield heating ........................... 106
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 239
Notes ............................................. 295
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 98
Rear window wiper .......................... 97
Replacing the wiper blades .............. 97
Switching on/off .............................. 96
Winter
Driving in winter ............................. 136
Winter o
peration ............................ 264
Winter driving
Snow chains .................................. 264
Winter operation
Overview ........................................ 264
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 264
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 244
Important safety notes .................... 97
Replacing ......................................... 97
18Index

Cockpit
FunctionPage
:Combination switch88
;Steering wheel paddle shifters123
=Instrument cluster171
?Horn
AOverhead control panel32
BPARKTRONIC warning display158
CClimate control systems99
DIgnition lock112
EAdjusts the steering wheel78
FCruise control lever141
GLight switch84
HOpens the hood236
26Cockpit
At a glance

Instrument cluster
Displays and controls
FunctionPage
:Speedometer wit hsegments17 1
;Multifunction display173
=Tachometer171
?Coolan ttemperature display17 1
AFue lgauge
BInstrumen tcluste rlighting control17 1
Instrument cluster27
At a glance

Multifunction steering wheel
FunctionPage
:Multifunction display~
;COMAND display~
=?
Switches on the Voice Con-
trol System; see the separate
operating instructions
?~~
Rejects or ends a call
Exits phone book/redial
memory
6
Makes or accepts a call
Switches to the redial mem-
ory
WX
Adjusts the volume
8
Mute
FunctionPage
A=;~
Selects a menu
9:
Selects a submenu or scrolls
through lists
a
Confirms selections and
hides messages
B%
Back
Switches off the Voice Con-
trol System; see the separate
operating instructions
Multifunction steering wheel29
At a glance

GWARNING
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems such as the BAS or the ESP
®are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that may come on as well as messages in the mul-
tifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
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.
Provided that the differential locks are not
active, ABS works from a speed of approx-
imately 5 mph (8 km/h) upwards, regardless of
road-surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even if you only brake gently.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
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 ESP®system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated.
At speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-
ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 55).
GWARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
Adaptive brake lights
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than
30 mph (50 km/h) or if braking is assisted by
BAS, the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic traveling behind you is warned in an even
more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more than
45 mph (70 km/h) to a standstill, the hazard
warning lamps are activated automatically. If
the brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning lamps
are deactivated automatically if you drive faster
than 6 mph (10 km/h). You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning button (
Ypage 89).
56Driving safety systems
Safety

ESP®(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 55).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, ESP®is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!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 oth-
erwise destroy the brake system.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-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
®monitors the driving stability and the trac-
tion. Traction is the power transmission
between the tires and the road surface.
ESP
®is deactivated if the åwarning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up continuously
when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarning
lamp are lit continuously, ESP
®is not available
due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(
Ypage 207) and display messages which may
be displayed in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 185).
If ESP®detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. If
necessary, the engine output is also modified to keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP
®assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP®can
also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
If ESP
®intervenes, the ÷warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. If ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
XOnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
XAdapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
iOnly use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP®function properly.
iIf differential locks are switched on, ABS,
BAS and ESP®switch off automatically.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP®.
XIf appropriate for the driving conditions,
engage the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(
Ypage 162).
Traction control is part of ESP
®.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP
®.
Traction control is no longer active above a
speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually 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 transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Deactivating/activating ESP®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
!Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP®deactivated. You
could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Driving safety systems57
Safety
Z

Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Ypage 206) as well as display
messages (Ypage 186).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to improve driving stability
while braking.
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE provides increased braking
safety. In addition to the braking function,
ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(
Ypage 157) and hill start assist (Ypage 114).
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
XTo activate: remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated when
you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be started
when the starter battery is fully charged, the
immobilizer may be faulty. Contact an author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
XTo arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
Indicator lamp :flashes. The alarm system
is armed after approximately 15 seconds.
XTo disarm: unlock the vehicle with the Smart-
Key.
iIf you then do not open a side door or the
rear door, the alarm system switches back on
again after approximately 40 seconds.
XTo stop the alarm: insert the SmartKey into
the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or
XPress the %or& button on the Smart-
Key.
The alarm is switched off.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Ra door
Ra door using the mechanical key
Rthe rear door
Rthe hood
The alarm is also triggered if:
Rthe position of the vehicle is changed.
Ra window is smashed.
The alarm is not switched off, even if you close
the open door that triggered it, for example.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call sys-
tem (USA only) or Tele Aid system (Canada
only) initiates a call to the Customer Assis-
tance Center automatically. The mbrace
emergency call system initiates the call if:
Ryou have subscribed to the Tele Aid service.
Rthe Tele Aid service has been activated
properly.
Rthe required mobile phone, power supply
and GPS are available.
Theft deterrent locking system59
Safety
Z