
Warning message .......................... 270
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 280
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 279
Bar (definition) ...............................2 79
Changing a wheel .......................... 281
Characteristics .............................. 279
Checking ........................................ 262
Curb weight (definition) ................. 280
Definition of terms ......................... 279
Direction of rotation ...................... 282
Display message ............................ 198
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 281
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 279
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 278
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 279
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) (defi-
nition) ............................................ 279
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 279
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 280
Important safety notes .................. 262
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 279
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 280
Labeling (overview) ........................ 275
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 281
Load index ..................................... 277
Load index (definition) ................... 280
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 280
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 280
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 280
Maximum tire load ......................... 278
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 280
Optional equipment we ight (
defi-
nition) ............................................ 281
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 280
Replacing ....................................... 281 Service life ..................................... 263
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 280
Speed rating (definition) ................ 279
Storing ........................................... 282
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 279
Technical data ............................... 284
Temperature .................................. 275
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 281
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 280
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 280
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 279
Tire size (data) ............................... 284
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 276
Tire tread ....................................... 263
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 280
Total load limit (definition) ............. 281
Traction ......................................... 275
Traction (definition) ....................... 281
Tread wear ..................................... 274
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 274
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 279
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 281
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 279
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 49
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 259
Important safety notes .................. 256
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 298
Driving tips .................................... 166
Lights display message .................. 189
Mounting dimensions .................... 297
Shift range ..................................... 122
Trailer loads ................................... 298
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 297
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 256
In the eve nt o
f malfunctions .......... 258
With both axles on the ground ....... 257
16Index

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

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

cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in the
exterior mirrors before the vehicle is washed.
The exterior mirrors could otherwise be dam-
aged.
!Make sure that the automatic transmission
is in position Nwhen washing your vehicle in
a tow-through car wash. The vehicle could be
damaged if the transmission is in another
position.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and sliding sunroof are
closed completely.
Rthe blower for the ventilation/heating is
switched off (airflow control is turned to
position 0/the à andÁ buttons are
switched off).
Rthe windshield wiper switch is at position 0.
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off wax
from the windshield and the wiper blades. This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping noises
caused by residue on the windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in all countries
concerned.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, also clean the inside of the wheels.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse a soft sponge to clean.
XUse a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a gen-
tle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directly towards the
air inlets.
XUse plenty of water and rinse out the sponge
frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
XDo not let the cleaning agent dry on the paint-
work.
Power washers
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
!Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about the
correct distance is available from the equip-
ment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
Rtires
Rdoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
Relectrical components
Rbattery
Rconnectors
Rlights
Rseals
Rtrim
Rventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components can
lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
!Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
!Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
242Care
Maintenance and care

Jack;is located under the rear bench seat on
the right-hand side when viewed in the direction
of travel.
XFold rear bench seat (Ypage 218) forwards.
XOpen cover :.
XPull bar=upwards and detach from tab ?.
XRemove jack;.
Exterior spare wheel bracket
General notes
GWARNING
The wheel or tire size as well as the tire type of the spare wheel or emergency spare wheel
and the wheel to be replaced may differ.
Mounting an emergency spare wheel may
severely impair the driving characteristics.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
Radapt your driving style accordingly and
drive carefully.
Rnever mount more than one spare wheel or
emergency spare wheel that differs in size.
Ronly use a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size briefly.
Rdo not switch ESP®off.
Rhave a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
Observe that the wheel and tire dimensions
as well as the tire type must be correct.
iWhen changing a wheel, you should also
observe the safety notes in the "Flat tire" sec-
tion (
Ypage 250).
The spare wheel is on the outer side of the rear
door.
Stainless-steel spare hub cap
XTake the screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit
(Ypage 248).
XOpen the lock on cover ring :with screw-
driver =or a similar tool.
XFold tab ;down.
XPull cover ring :apart and remove it.
XPull off trim panel ?.
Where will I find...?249
Breakdown assistance
Z

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific 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 specialist
workshops: (Ypage 23).
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 original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmodel
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmanufacturer
Rmodel
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 recom-
mended wheels and tires for summer and winter
driving. Advice on purchasing and caring for
tires is also available there. Accessories that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being used cor-
rectly can impair the operating safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and ask about:
Rsuitability
Rlegal stipulations
Rfactory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found in
the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(
Ypage 284).
Information on air pressure for the tires on your
vehicle can be found:
Ron the tire pressure label on the fuel filler flap
Rin the "Tire pressure" section
iFurther information on wheels and tires can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop.
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. Otherwise, the
tires, particularly the sidewalls, may be dam-
aged.
Regular checking of wheels and tires
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
RRegularly 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 deforma-
tion on tires, cuts, punctures, cracks or
262Operation
Wheels and tires

severe corrosion on wheels, for example.
Damaged wheels can cause a loss of tire pres-
sure.
RRegularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (
Ypage 263). In order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface, turn the
steering wheel to full lock.
RAll wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or a valve cap approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, such as
tire pressure monitoring systems.
RYou should regularly check the pressure of all
your tires including the spare wheel, particu-
larly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire pres-
sure as necessary (
Ypage 270).
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
RDriving style
RTire pressure
RDistance 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:
RSummer tires: âin (3 mm)
RM+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 decrea-
ses significantly when the tread depth is less
than
1/8in (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 approx-
imately
1/16in (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
1/8in (3 mm). The recommended
tread depth for winter tires is at least1/6in
(4 mm).
Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same type
and make.
ROnly mount approved tires of the correct size
onto the wheels.
RTires are supplied with a protective layer from
the factory. Break in new tires at moderate
speeds for the first 60 miles (100 km). They
only reach their full performance after this
distance.
RDo not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces the
traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
RReplace the tires after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
spare wheel.
Operation263
Wheels and tires
Z

Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (
Ypage 281).
Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehicle
to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility for
this type of damage.
M+S tires
GWARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There is
a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ãin
(4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
GWARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the type of tire can vary between the spare wheel and
the wheel to be replaced. When the spare
wheel is mounted, driving characteristics may be severely affected. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
In order to reduce risks:
Ryou should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
Rnever mount more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
Ronly use a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel to be replaced for a short time.
Rdo not deactivate ESP®.
Rhave a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h) if a spare wheel of a different size is
installed.
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), use all-
season tires or winter tires. Both types of tire are
identified by the M+S marking.
Not all tires with the M+S marking provide the
driving characteristics of winter tires. In addition
to the M+S marking, winter tires also have the
i snowflake symbol on the tire wall. Tires
with this marking fulfill the requirements of the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and
the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) regard-
ing snow traction, and were specially developed
for driving on snow. Only these tires will allow
driving safety systems such as ABS and ESP
®to
function optimally in winter, since these tires
have been designed specifically for driving on
snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on all
wheels to maintain safe handling characteris-
tics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted the M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures (Ypage 265).
XRestart the tire pressure monitor
(Ypage 270).
iYou can obtain information about winter
tires that have been approved by Mercedes-
Benz especially for your vehicle at any
Mercedes-Benz Service center.
iFor further information about tires, see
(Ypage 286).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If you drive too fast with snow chains moun-
ted, they may snap. As a result, you could
injure others and damage the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
264Winter operation
Wheels and tires