Always install and secure the ball coupling asdescribed. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a detach-
able trailer coupling is used.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight may cause damage to the following:
Ryour vehicle
Rthe trailer
Rthe ball coupling
Rtrailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could become
unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the mini-
mum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unstable.
To avoid hazardous situations:
Rmake sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
Ruse a drawbar noseweight as close as possi-
ble to the maximum noseweight
Rdo not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
Rdo not use a noseweight lower than the min-
imum permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
When backing up the vehicle towards the trailer,
make sure there is nobody between the trailer
and the vehicle.
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be fou nd:
Rin your vehicle documents
Ron the type plate of the trailer tow hitch and
trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning radius
This could impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Maintain a
safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not excee
d the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 297).
General notes
RDo not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum speed for vehicle/trailer combinations
in the relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
ROnly install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
RDo not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
RIf you do not need the ball coupling, remove
the ball coupling from the ball coupling
recess. This reduces the risk of damage to the
ball coupling.
iCheck the tire pressures when towing a
trailer. You will find the values in the tire pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle
(
Ypage 266).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 297).
Towing a trailer167
Driving an d parking
Z
The maximum noseweight of the trailer drawbar
on the ball coupling for up to 3 people is 562 lbs
(255 kg). The maximum permissible trailer draw-bar noseweight for more than 3 persons and the
maximum load in the trunk can be found in the
trailer drawbar noseweight table (
Ypage 298).
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch or trailer identification plates. The lowest weight
applies.
Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 158) and Blind Spot
Assist (Ypage 154) are only available with lim-
itations, or not at all.
iOn vehicles without level control, the height
of the ball coupling will alter according to the
load placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a
trailer with a height-adjustable drawbar.
Driving tips
XOn long and steep downhill gradients, select
shift range 1,2or 3(Ypage 123) in good
time.
iThis also applies if you have activated cruise
control or SPEEDTRONIC.
XIf necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE (Ypage 162).
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to main-
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permissible speed is. Observe the legally pre-
scribed maximum speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies to
your vehicle. If you utilize any of the added max- imum rear axle load when towing a trailer, the
vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed a
maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for rea-
sons concerning the operating permit. This also applies in countries in which the permissible
maximum speed for vehicle/trailer combina-
tions is above 60 mph (100 km/h). When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you must
select shift range
1,2or 3in good time.
iThis also applies if you have activated cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depre ss the bra
ke pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen- tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
Trailer power supply
!
You can connect accessories with a maxi-
mum power consumption of 180 W to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.
168Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Displaysan doperation
Instrument cluste r
Instrument clusterlighting
The brightness contro lknob is located on th e
botto mleftof th einstrumen tcluster
(
Ypage 171).
XTur nth ebrightness contro lknob clockwise or
counter-clockwise .
If th eligh tswitch is set to Ã,T or
L ,th ebrightness is dependen tupon th e
brightness of th eambien tlight.
iThe ligh tsensor in th einstrumen tcluster
automatically controls th ebrightness of th e
multifunction display.
In daylight ,th edisplays in th einstrumen t
cluster are no tilluminated.
Displaying th ecoolant temperatur e
GWARNING
Opening th ehoo dwhen th eengin eis over-
heated or when there is afir ein th eengin e
compartmen tcould expos eyou to hot gases
or other servic eproducts .There is aris kof
injury.
Let an overheated engin ecool down befor e
opening th ehood. If there is afir ein th e
engin ecompartment, keep th ehoo dclose d
and contact th efir edepartment.
!A display messag eis shown if th ecoolan t
temperature is to ohigh.
If th ecoolan ttemperature is over 24 8 ‡
(12 0†), do no tcontinue driving. The engin e
will otherwise be damaged .
The coolan ttemperature gage is in th einstru-
men tcluster on th eright-hand sid e
(
Ypage 171).
Under normal operatin gcondition sand wit hth e
specifie dcoolan tlevel, th ecoolan ttemperature
may ris eto 24 8 ‡(120†) .
Tachomete r
!
Do no tdriv ein the overrevvin grange, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display (
Ypage 173).
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
RCruise control activated (Ypage 141):
The segments light up from the stored speed
to the maximum speed.
RVariable SPEEDTRONIC activated
(Ypage 145):
The segments light up from the start of the
scale to the selected limit speed.
RDISTRONIC PLUS activated (Ypage 149):
One or two segments in the set speed range
light up.
RDISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front:
The segments between the speed of the vehi-
cle in front and the stored speed light up.
Displays and operation171
On-board computer and displays
Z
=Average speed
?Average fuel consumption
XPress the=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XPress9or: to select From Startor
From Reset.
The values in the From
Startsubmenu are cal-
culated from the start of a journey whilst the
values in the From Reset
submenu are calcu-
lated from the last time the submenu was reset
(
Ypage 174).
The From Start
trip computer is automatically
reset when:
Rthe ignition has been switched off for more
than four hours.
R999 hours have been exceeded.
R9,999 miles have been exceeded.
The From Reset
trip computer is automatically
reset if the value exceeds 9999 hours or
99,999 miles.
Range
:Approximate range
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XPress9or: to select the approximate
range.
The approximate range that can be covered
depends on the fuel level and your current driv-
ing style. If there is only a small amount of fuel
left in the fuel tank, the display shows a vehicle
being refueled Cinstead of the range.
Digital speedometer
:Digital speedometer
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XPress the9or: button to select the
digital speedometer.
Resetting values
Example: resetting the trip computer "From Start"
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XPress the9or: button to select the
function that you wish to reset.
XPress the abutton.
XPress the :button to select Yesand press
the a button to confirm.
You can reset the values of the following func-
tions:
RTrip odometer
R"From Start" trip computer
R"From Reset" trip computer
Navigation system menu
Displaying navigation instructions
In the Navimenu, the multifunction display
shows navigation instructions.
For further information, see the separate oper-
ating instructions.
174Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The poly-V-belt may havetorn .
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XChec kth epoly-V-belt .
If th epoly-V-belt is torn:
!Do no tcontinu edriving. The engin ecould otherwise overheat.
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th epoly-V-belt is not damaged :
XWait until thedisplay message disappear sbefore restarting th e
engine. Otherwise ,th eengin ecould be damaged.
XPay attention to th ecoolan ttemperature display.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
#The battery is notbein gcharged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possibl ecauses are:
Radefective alternato r
Ratorn poly-V-belt
Ramalfunction in th eelectronics
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XOpe nth ehood.
XChec kwhether th epoly-V-belt is torn .
If th epoly-V-belt is torn:
!Do no tcontinu edriving. The engin ecould otherwise overheat.
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th epoly-V-belt is not damaged :
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
4
CheckEngineOilAtNextRefueling
The engin eoil level has dropped to th eminimum level.
A warning tone also sounds.
XChec kth eoil level when next refueling, at th elatest (Ypage 236).
XIf necessary, add engin eoil (Ypage 237).
XHav eth eengin echecke dat aqualified specialist workshop if engin e
oil needs to be added mor eoften than usual.
!Avoid lon gjourneys wit hto olittl eengin eoil. The engin ewill oth-
erwise be damaged.
Information on approve dengin eoils can be obtained from any quali-
fie dspecialist workshop or on th eInternet at http:/ /
www.mbusa.com (US Aonly).
Display messages19 3
On-board computer and displays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
4
Engine Oil LevelLow StopVehicl eSwitch Engine Off
The engin eoil level is to olow. There is aris kof engin edamage.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XAd dengin eoil (Ypage 237) and chec kth eoil level (Ypage 236).
4
Check Engine OilLevel (Ad d 1quart)
AMGvehicles: th eengin eoil level is to olow.
XChec kth eoil level when next refueling, at th elatest (Ypage 236).
XIf necessary, add engin eoil (Ypage 237).
XHav eth eengin echecke dat aqualified specialist workshop if engin e
oil needs to be added mor eoften than usual.
!Avoid lon gjourneys wit hto olittl eengin eoil. The engin ewill oth-
erwise be damaged.
Information on approve dengin eoils can be obtained from any quali-
fie dspecialist workshop or on th eInternet at http:/ /
www.mbusa.com (US Aonly).
4
Engine Oil LevelCannot Be Measured
The measurin gsystem is malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
8
FuelLevel Low
The fuel level has dropped int oth ereserv erange.
XRefue lat th eneares tgas station .
CThere is only aver ysmall amount of fuel in th efuel tank.
XRefue lat th eneares tgas station without fail .
8
Gas Cap Loose
The fuel system pressur eis to olow. The fuel filler cap is no tclosed
correctl yor th efuel system is leaking .
XCheckthat th efuel filler cap is correctl yclosed .
If th efuel filler cap is not correctl yclosed :
XCloseth efuel filler cap .
If th efuel filler cap is correctl yclosed :
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
194Display messages
On-board computer and displays
!ABS (Ypage 206)
÷ ESP®(Ypage 207)
å ESP®OFF (Ypage 207)
6 Restraint system (
Ypage 209)
; Check Engine (
Ypage 210)
8 Reserve fuel (
Ypage 210)
? Coolant (
Ypage 210)
· Distance warning signal
(
Ypage 212)
h Tire pressure monitor (
Ypage 213)
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster203
On-board computer and displays
Z
Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
;
The yellow Check Engine
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.There may be a malfunction, for example:
Rin the engine management
Rin the fuel injection system
Rin the exhaust system
Rin the ignition system
Rin the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be in
emergency mode.
XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iIn some states, you must immediately visit a qualified specialist
workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights
up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in these states. If
in doubt, check whether such legal regulations apply in the state in
which you are currently driving.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
XRefuel at the nearest gas station.
8
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
XCheck that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
XIf the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.
XIf the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist workshop.
?
The red coolant warning
lamp lights up while the
engine is running and the
coolant temperature
gage is at the start of the
scale.The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gage is defective.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk
of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine, pay-
ing attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
XApply the parking brake.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
210Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays