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.
In order for the battery to achieve the maximum
possible service life, it must always be suffi-
ciently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge 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.
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.
Remove the SmartKey if you park the vehicle
and do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy, thus conserving battery power.
If the power supply has been interrupted, e.g. if
you reconnect the battery, you will have to:
Rset the clock; see the Digital Operator's Man-
ual
On vehicles with a multimedia system, the
time is set automatically.
Rreset the function for folding the exterior mir-
rors in/out automatically, by folding the mir-
rors out once (
Ypage 101).
Charging the battery
!
Only use battery chargers with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
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
the battery. Keep children away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately with plenty 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.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (
Ypage 285).
XOpen the hood.
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 285).
Keep away from fire and open flames. Do not
lean over a battery. Never charge the battery if it
is still installed in the vehicle, unless you use a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. A battery charger
unit specially adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles and tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz is available as an accessory. It permits the
charging of the battery in its installed position.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information and availability. Read the
battery charger's operating instructions before
charging the battery.
If the warning and indicator lamps do not light up
on the instrument cluster when temperatures
are low, it is probably because the discharged
battery has frozen. In this case, you may neither
charge the battery nor jump-start the vehicle.
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.
284Battery (vehicle)
Breakdown assistance
Jump-starting
For the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point in the engine com-
partment, consisting of a positive terminal and a ground point.
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.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
If the indicator and warning lamps do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the
discharged battery has frozen. In this case, you may neither charge the battery nor jump-start the
vehicle. 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.
Jump-starting285
Breakdown assistance
Z
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.
RYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
ROnly jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
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 which can move when the engine is
running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
XApply the parking brake firmly.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XMake sure that the ignition is switched off. All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster must be
off. When using the SmartKey, turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it
(
Ypage 123).
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window defroster, lighting, etc.
XOpen the hood.
Position number Bidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-starting
device.
XSlide 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, always begin with positive terminal ;on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
286Jump-starting
Breakdown assistance
XConnect negative terminal?of donor battery Bto ground point Aof your vehicle using the
jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point Aand negative terminal ?, then from pos-
itive clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begineach time at the contacts on your own vehicle first.
XClose cover :of positive clamp ;after removing the jumper cables.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting isnot cons idered to bea normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can beobtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer availab leif:
Rthe engine isnot running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere isa malfunction inthe voltage supply
or the veh icle's electrical system.
If your veh icle is bein g towed, much more
force may benecessary to steer or brake.
There isa risk of an acc ident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before to wing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWAR NING
When to wingor tow-starting another veh icle
and its weight isgreater than the permis sible
gross weight of your veh icle, the:
Rthe to wingeye could detach itself
Rthe veh icle/trailer co mbination could roll-
over.
There isa risk of an acc ident.
When to wingor tow-starting another veh icle,
its weight should not begreater than the per-
mis sible gross weight of your veh icle.
Details on the permis siblegross veh icleweight
of your veh iclecan befound on the veh icle iden-
tification plate (
Ypage 322).
!When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DI ST RONIC or the HOLD function isactivated,
the vehicle brakes automatically incertain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems inthe following or similar sit-
uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could be
damaged.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery, th is
could damage the vehicle. If indoubt, recover
the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. Ifthe tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This
could damage the vehicle.
!When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start /S top button.
Otherwise, the automat ictransmission may
shift to position Pwhen the driver's or front-
passenger door are opened, which could lead to damage to the transmission.
!The vehicle can betowed a maximum of
30 mile s (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.
Towing and tow-starting287
Breakdown assistance
Z
!If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle.
It is better to have the vehicle transported than
to have it towed away.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission damage,
have it transported on a transporter or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in position
N when the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
In the event of damage to the electrical sys-
tem
If the battery is defective, the automatic trans-
mission will be locked in position P. To shift the
automatic transmission to position N, you must
provide power to the vehicle's electrical system
in the same way as when jump-starting
(
Ypage 285).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or
trailer.
Disarm the automatic locking feature before the vehicle is towed (
Ypage 82). You could other-
wise be locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be very hot. There is
a risk of burns when removing the rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe. Take particular
care when removing the rear cover.
All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
The brackets for the screw-in towing eye are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front and
at the rear, behind the covers.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle tool
kit (Ypage 277).
XPull cover :out of the bumper in the direc-
tion of the arrow by inserting your fingers into the recess.
XPress the mark on cover ;inwards in the
direction of the arrow.
XRemove cover ;from the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise as far as it
will go and tighten it.
288Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance
As soonas the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the veh iclefrom rolling away by
applyin g the parking brake.
XShift the automat ictransmission to posi-
tion P.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0inthe ignition
lock and remove it.
XSecure the veh icle.
Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
!
Vehicle swit h 4MATIC must not betowed
wit h either the front or the rear axle raised, as
doin g so willdamage the transmission.
If the veh iclehas transmission damage or dam-
age to the front or rear axle, have ittransported
on a transporter or trailer.
In the event ofdama ge to the electrical sys-
tem
If the battery isdefective, the automat ictrans-
mission will belocked inposition P. To shift the
automat ictransmission to position N, you must
pro vide power to the veh icle's electrical system
in the same way as when jump-starting
(
Ypage 285).
Have the veh icletransported on a transporter or
trailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
!
Vehicle swit h automat ictransmission must
not bestarted bytow-starting. This could oth-
erwise damage the transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-starting"
under (Ypage 285).
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWAR NING
If you man ipulate orbridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper-
age, the electr iccables could beoverloaded.
This could result ina fire. There isa risk of an
acc iden t and injury.
Alwa ys replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
Blo wn fuses must bereplaced with fuses of the
same rating, which you can recognize bythe
color and value. The fuse ratings are listed inthe
fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is located in the vehicle
tool kit in the stowage compartment under the
trunk floor (
Ypage 277).
If a ne wlyinserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which have the
correct fuse rating for the system concerned.
Otherwise, components or systems could be
damaged.
!Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover isopen.
!When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing inor dirt could otherwise impair the oper-
ation of the fuses.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to closedown
faulty circuits. Ifa fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Before changing a fuse
Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Ypage 290).
XSwit ch off the engine.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XMake sure that the ignition is switched off
(Ypage 123).
or
XWhen using the SmartKey, turn the SmartKey
to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it
(
Ypage 123).
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(Ypage 141).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
290Fuses
Breakdown assistance