XTo apply:depress parking brake ;firmly.
When the engine is running, the $(USA
only) or J(Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
XTo release: depress the brake pedal and keep
it depressed.
XPull release handle :.
When the ignition is switched on or the engine
is running, the $(USA only) or J(Can-
ada only) indicator lamp goes out in the instru-
ment cluster.
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 than six
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 notes
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 country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit 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 sec-
ond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof racks when they are not needed.
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 Main-
tenance Booklet or by the service interval dis-
play.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
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.
Driving tips143
Driving and parking
Z
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
