Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of
your vehicle and the gearshift operation before
driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-roadd riving:
R4ETS (Ypage 59)
ROff-roadABS (Ypage 58)
RTransfer case (Ypage 145)
RDifferentia llocks (Ypage 120)
Observe the following notes:
RStop the vehicle before yo udrive off-roada nd,
if necessary ,shift the transfe rcase to the off-
roadd riving position LOW RANGE
(
Ypage 146).
REngag ethe differential locks if necessary
(Ypage 148).
iABS, 4ETS, ESP®and BAS are deactivated
while the differential locks are engaged.T his
allow sthe front wheels to lock briefly, so that
these can dig into aloose surface .However,
please note that locke dwheels skid and can
no longer steer.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Ypage 209).
RTo avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure
there is always sufficient ground clearance.
RAlway skeep the engine running and in gear
whe ndriving on adownhil lgradient.
RAlway skeep the engine running and in gear
whe ndriving downani ncline.
RDrive slowlyand evenly, if necessary at a
walking pace.
REnsure that the wheels are in contact with the
ground at al ltimes.
RDrive with extreme care on unfamilia roff-road
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get ou
tofthe vehicle firs tand survey
the off-roadr oute.
RCheck the depth of water before fording rivers
and streams.
RWatch outfor obstacles.
RAlwayskeep the doors, reard oor, sidewin-
dowsa nd the sliding sunroof closed while the
vehicle is in motion.
RSwitch off cruise control.
RDo not deviate from marke droutes.
RAdap tyou rspeed to the terrain. The rougher,
steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be.
RDo not jump with the vehicle. as this will inter-
rup tthe vehicle' spropulsion.
RAvoid hig hengine speeds .Drive at appropri-
ate engine speeds (maximu m3,000 rpm).
RDo not shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
RAlwayscheck the vehicle for damag eafteroff-
roadd riving.
Do not use the HOLD function whe ndriving off-
road, on steep uphil lordownhil lgradients or on
slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function
cannot holdt he vehicle on such surfaces.
You can obtain further information aboutr etro-
fitting specia lall-terrain tires from aquali fied
specialist workshop.
Checklist before driving off-road
!If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
saf ep lace as soona spossible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning mus tnot be ignored.C ontinuing the
journey while the symbol is displaye dcould
lea dtoe ngine damage.
XEngin eoillevel: check the engine oil level
and ad doil if necessary.
Whend riving on steep gradients, the engine
oil level mus tbes ufficiently hig htoensure a
correct oil supply in the vehicle.
XTire-changing too lkit: check that the jack is
working and make sur eyou hav ethe lug
wrench, arobust tow cable and afolding
spade in the vehicle.
XWheels and tires: check the tire treadd epth
and tire pressure.
XCheck for damag eand remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones,f rom the wheels/
tires.
XReplace any missing valve caps.
XReplace dente dordamaged wheels .Also
check the spare wheel.
XRims: dentedorbent rims can result in aloss
of tire pressure and damag ethe tire bead.
Befored riving off-road, check the wheels and
replace them if necessary.
128Drivin gtips
Drivin gand parking
When towingatrailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristic swill be differentinc omparison
with when driving without atrailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by stron gcrosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas alarger turning radius
This could impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Maintain a
safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing atrailer, alwaysa djust your speed
to the currentr oad and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing atrailer
General notes
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
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 will reduce the risk of damage to
the ball coupling.
When towing atrailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. Further information on the tire pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (
Ypage 119).
Please not ethat when towing atrailer,
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 140) and Blind Spot
Assist (Ypage 137) availability is limited or not
available at all. The height of the ball coupling changes with the
load of the vehicle. If necessary, use
atrailer
with aheight-adjustable drawbar.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (
Ypage 284).
Driving tips
XObserve the notes on ESP®trailer stabiliza-
tion (Ypage 60).
XOn long and steep downhill gradients ,select
shift range 1,2or 3(Ypage 114) in good time.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or the speed limiter.
XIf necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW
RANGE (Ypage 146).
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 preventst he brakes from
overheatin gand 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. Beforeb eginningthe journey, check the
trailer's document stosee what the maximum
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing atrailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (
Ypage 284). In the event of increased
rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may
not exceed amaximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/ h)for reasons concerning the operat-
ing permit. This als oapplie sinc ountries in
which the maximu mpermissible speedf or car/
trailer combinations is greater than 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing atrailer, you rvehicle's handling
characteristics wil lbedifferent in comparison to
when driving without atrailer and it wil lcon-
sume more fuel.
Towing atrailer151
Driving and parking
Z
XPress the9or: button to select the
desired name.
or
XTo startr apid scrolling: press and hold9
or : for longer than one second.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the
button or reach the end of the list.
XIf only one telephone number is stored for
an ame: press the 6ora button to
start dialing.
or
XIf thereism ore thanone number for a
particular name:press the 6ora
button to display the numbers.
XPress the 9or: button to select the
number you want to dial.
XPress the 6ora button to start dialing.
or
XTo exit the phone book: press the~or
% button.
Redialing
The on-board computer saves the last names or
numbers dialed in the redial memory.
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Telmenu.
XPress the6button to switch to the redial
memory.
XPress the 9or: button to select the
desired name or number.
XPress the 6ora button to start dialing.
or
XTo exit the redial memory: press the~
or % button.
Assistance menu
Introduction
In the DriveAssistmenu, you have the follow-
ing options:
RDisplaying the assistanc egraphic
(Ypage 164)
RActivating/deactivatin gBlind Spot Assist
(Ypage 164)
Showing the distance display
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
XPress9or: to select AssistanceGraphic.
XPressa.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distanc edisplay
appears in the multifunction display.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
XPress the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
XPress the9or: button to select
Blind Spot Assist.
XPress a.
The currents election appears.
XTo activate/deactivate: press theabut-
ton again.
For further information about Blind Spot Assist,
see (
Ypage 137).
Service menu
In the Serv.menu, you have the following
options:
RCalling up display messages (Ypage 170)
RChecking the tire pressure electronically
(Ypage 258)
RCalling up the service due date
(Ypage 231)
RChecking the engine oil level (Ypage 227)
Settings menu
Introduction
In the Sett.menu, you have the following
options:
RChanging the instrument cluster settings
(Ypage 165)
RChanging the light settings (Ypage 165)
RChanging the vehicle settings (Ypage 166)
RChanging the conveniences ettings
(Ypage 166)
RRestoring the factor ysettings (Ypage 167)
164Menus and submenus
On-board computer and displays
Tires
Display messagesPossible causes/consequencesand MSolutions
Tirep ressure willbe displayed afterdrivingaf ewminutes
The tire pressure monitor is measurin gthe tire pressure.
XDriv eon.
The tire pressures appear in the multifunctio ndisplay after yo uhave
been drivin gfor afew minutes.
TirePress.MonitorInoperativeThe tire pressure monitor is faulty.
XVisitaq ualified specialis tworkshop.
TireP ressure Moni‐tor Inoperative NoWheel Sensors
The wheels mounted do not have asuitabl etire pressure sensor .The
tire pressure monitor is deactivated.
XMount wheels with suitabl etire pressure sensors.
The tire pressure monitor is activated automaticall yafter drivin gfor
af ew minutes.
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or mor etiresh asdropped significantly. The
whee lposit ioni ss hown in the multifunctio ndisplay .
Aw arning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
Tire pressures thata retoo lo wposet he following hazards:
Rtheym ayburst, especially as the load and vehicl espeed increase.
Rtheym aywear excessivel yand/or unevenly, which mayg reatly
impai rtire traction.
Rthe drivin gcharacteristics, as well as steerin gand braking ,maybe
greatl yimpaired
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop the vehicl ewithou tmaking any sudden steerin gorbraking
maneuvers. Pa yattentio ntothe trafficc onditions as yo udoso.
XSecure the vehicl eagain st rolling away (Ypage 120).
XIf there is aflatt ire ,inspect the tire s(Ypage 240).
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 257).
XIf necessary,correct the tire pressure.
Displaymessages183
On-boardc omputer andd isplays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
WarningTireM al‐functionThe tire pressur einoneor mor etires has dropped suddenly. The whee l
position is shown in th emultifunction display.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
Drivin gwithaf lat tire poses ariskoft hefollowin ghazards :
Raflat tire affects th eabilit ytos teer or brak ethe vehicl e
Ryou could lose control of th evehicl e
Rcontinued drivin gwithaf lat tire will caus eexces sive heat build-up
and possibl yafire
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop thevehicl ewithout making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers .Pay attention to th etraffic condition sasyou do so.
XSecur ethe vehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 120).
XIf there is aflat tire, inspec tthe tires (Ypage 240).
PleaseCorrec tTirePressureThe tire pressur eistoolow in at least on eofthetires ,ort hetire
pressur edifference between th ewheels is to ogreat.
XChec kthe tire pressures at th enexto pportunity (Ypage 257).
XIf necessary, correc tthe tire pressure.
XRestart th etirep ressur emonitor (Ypage 259).
TirePress .Sen‐sor(s) Missin gThere is no signal from th etirep ressur esensor of on eorseveral
wheels. The pressur eoftheaffecte dtired oes no tappear in th emul-
tifunction display.
XHav ethe fault ytirep ressur esensor replace dataqualified special -
ist workshop .
TirePress.Monito rCurrently Unavaila‐ble
Becausethere is interferenc efromas tron gs ource of radi owaves, no
signals from th etirep ressur esensor sare detected. The tire pressur e
monitor is temporarily malfunctioning .
XDrive on.
The tire pressur emonitor restarts automatically as soo nasthe
problem has been resolved.
184Display messages
On-boardc omputer andd isplays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
h
TirePressure Warn‐ing,TireM alfunc‐tion
The tire pressur einoneor mor etires has dropped suddenly. The whee l
position is shown on th emultifunction display.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
Drivin gwithaf lat tire poses ariskoft hefollowin ghazards :
Raflat tire affects th eabilit ytos teer or brak ethe vehicl e
Ryou could lose control of th evehicl e
Rcontinued drivin gwithaf lat tire will caus eexces sive heat build-up
and possibl yafire
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop thevehicl ewithout making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers .Pay attention to th etraffic condition sasyou do so.
XSecur ethe vehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 120).
XIf there is aflat tire, inspec tthe tires (Ypage 240).
h
Check Tir ePressure
The tire pressur einoneor mor etires has dropped significantly. The
whee lposition is shown on th emultifunction display.
Aw arning tone also sounds.
GWARNIN G
Tir ep ressures that are to olow pos ethe followin ghazards :
Rthey may burst, especially as th eload and vehicl espeed increase.
Rthey may wear excessivel yand/o runevenly, whic hmay greatl y
impair tire traction .
Rthed rivin gcharacteristics ,aswell as steering and braking ,may be
greatl yimpaire d
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop thevehicl ewithout making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers .Pay attention to th etraffic condition sasyou do so.
XSecur ethe vehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 120).
XIf there is aflat tire, inspec tthe tires (Ypage 240).
XChec kthe tire pressur e(Ypage 257).
XIf necessary, correc tthe tire pressure.
h
PleaseCorrec tTirePressure
The tire pressur eistoolow in at least on eofthetires ,ort hetire
pressur edifference between th ewheels is to ogreat.
XChec kthe tire pressures at th enexto pportunity (Ypage 257).
XIf necessary, correc tthe tire pressure.
Display messages185
On-boardc omputer andd isplays
Z
Tires
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequence sand M
Solutions
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction) is lit.
The tire pressure monitor hasd etecte dalossofp ressure in at leas tone of the tires.
GWARNING
Tire pressures thata retoo lo wposet he following hazards:
Rtheym ayburst, especially as the load and vehicl espeed increase.
Rtheym aywear excessivel yand/or unevenly, which mayg reatlyimpai rtire trac-
tion.
Rthe drivin gcharacteristics, as well as steerin gand braking ,maybe greatly
impaired
There is ariskofana ccident.
XStop the vehicl ewithou tmaking any sudden steerin gorbraking maneuvers. Pay
attentio ntothe trafficc onditions as yo udoso.
XSecure the vehicl eagain st rolling away (Ypage 120).
XObserve the additional displa ymessage sinthe multifunctio ndisplay .
XCheck the tire sand,ifn ecessary,f ollowthe instructions for aflatt ire
(Ypage 240).
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 257).
XIf necessary,c orrect the tire pressure.
hNThe yellow tire pressure monitor warning lamp (pressure loss/malfunction)
flashe sfor approximately one minute and thenr emains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
GWARNING
The system is possibl yunabl etor ecognize or register lo wtire pressure.
There is ariskofana ccident.
XObserve the additional displa ymessage sinthe multifunctio ndisplay .
XVisitaq ualified specialis tworkshop immediately.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster197
On-board computer and displays
Z
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damagethe paintwork or plasti cparts.
!Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitablef or 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 Nwhe nwashing your vehicle in
at ow-through car wash. The vehicle could be
damaged if the transmission is in another
position.
!Make sure that:
Rthe sid ewindow sand the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
Rthe blower is switched off.
Rthe windshield wiper switch is at position 0.
The vehicle may 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 residueont he windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries,washing by hand is only
allowed at speciall yequipped washing bays.
Observe the legalr equirements in each country.
Whenu sing the vehicle in winter, remove all
trace sofroads altd eposits carefully and as
soona spossible.
Whenw ashing the underside of the vehicle ,also
clean the insides of the wheels.
XDo not us ehot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse asoft sponge to clean.
XUse amildc leaning agent, such as acar
shampooa pproved by Mercedes-Benz.
XThoroughlyh osedownthe vehicle with agen-
tle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directlyt owards the
ai ri nlet.
XUse plenty of water and rinse outt he sponge
frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with achamois.
XDo not le tthe cleaning agent dry on the paint-
work.
Powe rwashers
GWARNING
The water jet from acircula rjet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tire sorchassisc omponents. Compo-
nents damaged in this wa ymay fai lunexpect-
edly. There is ariskofana ccident.
Do not us epower washers with circula rjet
nozzle stoclean the vehicle .Have damaged
tire sorc hassisc omponents replaced imme-
diately.
!Alway smaintainad istance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm )between the vehicle and the
power washern ozzle.Information aboutt he
correct distance is available from the equip-
ment manufacturer.
Move the power washern ozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
Do not ai mdirectlyata ny of the following:
RTires
RDoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
RElectrical components
RBattery
RConnectors
RLamps
RSeals
RTrim
RVentilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components can
lead to leaks or failures.
!Vehicles with decorative film: parts of your
vehicle are covered with adecorative film.
Maintain adistance of at least 27.5 in (70 cm)
between the parts of the vehicle covered with
the fil mand the nozzle of the hig hpressure
cleaner.
Information aboutt he correct distance is
available from the equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washern ozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
232Care
Maintenancea nd care