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 discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer thansix weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the coun-
try in which you are driving. Some jurisdic-
tions prohibit the driver from using a mobile
phone while driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per
second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof racks when they are not nee-
ded.
XWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
XHave all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service
interval display.
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
hilly terrain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
176Driving tips
Driving and parking
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 max-
imum permissible speed is. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed in the rel-
evant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum 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 maximum rear
axle load when towing a trailer, the vehicle/
trailer combination may not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for rea-
sons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the permis-
sible maximum speed for vehicle/trailer com-
binations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter to shift into a lower gear in good time
on long and steep downhill gradients.
iThis also applies if you have activated
cruise control.
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.
Driving tips
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine
and, consequently, the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decreases with
increasing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
Installing the ball coupling
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it can come loose during the
journey and endanger other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
230Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
CAt leaston edoo ris open . Awarnin gtone also sounds.
XClos eall th edoors .
_
RearLeftBackrest
Not Latche dor
Rea rRight Back‐
res tNot Latche d
The backrest in th erear is no tengage don th eleft-han dand/o r
right-hand side .
XPush thebackrest bac kuntil it engages.
_
Rea rCenter Back‐
res tNot Engage d
The center rear seat backrest is no tengaged.
XPush th ebackrest bac kuntil it engages.
Ð
PowerSteeringMal ‐
function See Oper‐
ator's Manual
The powe rsteerin gis malfunctioning.
A warnin gtone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
You will need to use mor eforc eto steer .
There is aris kof an accident.
XChec kwhether you are able to apply th eextr aforc erequired.
If you ar eabl eto steer safely:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
If you ar eunable to steer safely:
XDo no tdrive on .
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
Phone No ServiceYour vehicleis outside th enetwork provider' stransmitter/
receiver range.
XWait until th emobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in th emultifunction display.
¥
Check Washer Fluid
The washer flui dlevel in th ewasher flui dreservoir has dropped
belo wtheminimum .
XAddwasher flui d (Ypage 341).
Display messages289
On-board computer and displays
Z
Vehicle
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
ÐNThe red power steering warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The power steering is malfunctioning.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a risk of an accident.
XCheck whether you are able to apply the extra force required.
If you are able to steer safely:
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
If you are unable to steer safely:
XDo not drive on.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster303
On-board computer and displays
Z
XAttach hook=to the cargo compart-
ment's upper seal ?.
XTo close:detach hook =from the cargo
compartment's upper seal ?.
XFasten hook=to the bracket on the
underside of the cargo compartment floor.
XFold the cargo compartment floor down.
XPress the cargo compartment floor
down ;until it engages.
Locking and unlocking the cargo com-
partment floor
1Cargo compartment floor unlocked
2Cargo compartment floor locked
The cargo compartment floor can be locked
and unlocked using the mechanical key.
Roof carrier
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving character-
istics change. If you exceed the maximum roof
load, the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, will be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 415).
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof carriers that have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This helps to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle equipment,
ensure that when the roof carrier is instal-
led you can:
Rfully raise the sliding sunroof/panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel
Ropen the tailgate fully
An incorrectly secured roof carrier or roof
load may become detached from the vehicle.
You must therefore ensure that you observe
the roof carrier manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Vehicles with a panorama roof with
po
wer tilt/sliding panel: the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel cannot be
opened if a roof carrier is installed. The pan-
orama roof with power tilt/sliding panel can
still be raised to allow ventilation of the vehi-
cle interior.
If the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel makes contact with a roof carrier
approved by Mercedes-Benz, the sunroof will
lower slightly but remain raised at the rear.
Stowage areas317
Stowag ean d features
Z
XSlide coverAof positive terminal :in the direction of the arrow.
XConnect positive terminal :on your vehicle to positive terminal ;of donor battery B
using the jumper cable. Always begin with positive terminal :on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal =of donor battery Bto ground point ?of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point ?and negative terminal =, then from
positive clamp :and positive terminal ;. Begin each time at the contacts on your own
vehicle first.
XClose cover Aof positive clamp :after removing the jumper cables.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-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
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
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.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate (
Ypage 408).
!When COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes auto-
matically in certain situations. To avoid
damage to the vehicle, deactivate these
systems in the following or similar situa-
tions:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
Towing and tow-starting367
Breakdown assistance
Z