Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a detach-
able trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin the vehicle documents
Ron the identification plates for the trailer tow
hitch and the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning circle
This could impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
!If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train
may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type. If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
RDo not exceed the legally prescribed maxi-
mum 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 no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle (
Ypage 339).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all:
RParking Assist PARKTRONIC (Ypage 174)
RBlind Spot Assist (Ypage 191)
RActive Lane Keeping Assist (Ypage 197)
On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 361).
Driving tips
Observe the information on ESP®trailer stabili-
zation (Ypage 66) and on pulling away with a
trailer (Ypage 128).
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 maximum
permissible speed is. Observe the legally pre-
scribed maximum speed in the relevant country.
200Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
(
Ypage 361). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the permissi-
ble maximum speed for vehicle/trailer combi-
nations 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.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem 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
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
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.
XPull protective cap :in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
XStow protective cap :so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 270)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces (
Ypage 270).
Towing a trailer201
Driving and parking
Z
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but insteaddepress the brake pedal moderately at first so
that the trailer can activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gra-
dients, shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the risk
of engine failure.
RWhen driving downhill, shift to a lower gear toutilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by open-
ing the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the
highest level.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer com-
bination, you require additional road space in
relation to the vehicle you are overtaking
before you can change back to the original
lane.
Decoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
GWARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XApply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
XStart the engine.
XClose the doors and tailgate.
XApply the trailer's parking brake.
XDetach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
XSwitch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass
The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer. You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Ypage 361).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (Ypage 361).
Loading a trailer
RWhen loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible values
on the type plates of your vehicle and the
trailer. When calculating how much weight
204Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Locking/unlocking the cargo compart-
ment 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.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use roof carriers that have been tested and
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This
helps to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain damage
even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, ensure
that when the roof carrier is installed you can:
Rraise the sliding sunroof fully
Ropen the panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel fully
Ropen the tailgate fully
You will find information on the maximum roof
load in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 358). 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.
Attaching the roof carrier
XOpen covers
:carefully in the direction of
the arrow.
XFold covers :upwards.
XOnly secure the roof carrier to the anchorage
points under covers :.
XObserve the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Features
Cup holder
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you transport objects in the vehicle interior
and these are not adequately secured, they
could slip or be flung around and thereby
strike vehicle occupants. In addition, cup
holders, open stowage spaces and mobile
phone brackets may not always be able to
hold the objects placed in them in the event of
an accident. There is a risk of injury, particu-
larly in the event of sharp braking or sudden
changes of direction.
Features277
Stowage and features
Z
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g.
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is
also available in other countries. You can obtain
further information from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Care
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
!For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any of
the following:
Rdry, rough or hard cloths
Rabrasive cleaning agents
Rsolvents
Rcleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective films
with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice scraper.
You could otherwise scratch or damage the
surfaces and protective film.
!Do not park your vehicle for a long period of
time directly after cleaning, particularly after
cleaning the wheel rim with wheel cleaner.
Wheel cleaner can lead to the increased cor-
rosion of the brake discs and pads. Therefore,
drive for a few minutes after cleaning. By
heating up the brakes, the brake discs and
pads dry. The vehicle can then be parked for a
long period of time.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
!Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that it is suitable for the dimen-
sions of the vehicle. In particular, make sure
that:
Rthere is enough ground clearance between
the vehicle underbody and the guide rails of
the automatic car wash.
Rthe clearance width of the automatic car
wash, in particular the width of the guide
rails, is adequate (for further information on the width of the tire wall on the rear wheel,
see "Technical data")
Ryou enter the automatic car wash straight
and in the center of the guide rails in order
to avoid damaging the tires or wheel rims.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before the vehicle
is washed. The exterior mirrors could other-
wise be damaged.
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
Rthe ventilation/heating is switched off (the
OFF button has been pressed).
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position 0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
Care299
Maintenance and care
Z
Information regarding technical data
i
The dat astate dher especifically refers to a
vehicl ewit hstandard equipment. Consult an
authorize dMercedes-Ben zCente rfor th e
dat afor all vehicl evariants and trim levels.
Vehicle electronics
Installing two-way radios and mobile
phones (RF transmitters)
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from modifie d
or incorrectl yretrofitte dRF-transmitters can
interfere wit hth evehicl eelectronics .This can
compromise th eoperational safet yof th e
vehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
You should hav eall wor kto electrical and
electronic equipmen tcarried out at aqualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from incor-
rectl yoperate dRF transmitters can interfere
wit hth evehicl eelectronics ,for example:
Rif th eRF transmitte ris no tconnecte dwit h
an exterio rantenna
Rth eexterio rantenna has been installed
incorrectl yor is no t alow-reflection typ e
This can compromise th eoperational safet y
of th evehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Hav eth elow-reflection exterio rantenna
mounte dat aqualified specialist workshop.
When operating RF transmitters in th evehi-
cle ,always connec tthem wit hth elow-reflec -
tion exterio rantenna.
!The operating permit may be invalidated if
th einstruction sfor installation and use of RF
transmitters are no tobserved. In particular, th
efollowin gcondition smust be
complied with:
Ronly approve dwavebands may be used.
Robserv eth emaximum permissible output
in these wavebands.
Ronly approve dantenna position smay be
used.
Excessiv elevels of electromagneti cradiation
may caus edamag eto your healt hand th ehealt h
of others. Using an exterio rantenna takes int o
accoun tcurren tscientific discussion srelating
to th epossible healt hhazards that may result
from electro
magneti
cfields.
The followin gantenna position smay be used if
RF transmitters hav ebeen properly installed:
Approved antenna position s
:
Rear roo farea
;Rear fender
iOn th erear fenders, it is recommended to
position th eantenna on th eside of th evehicl e
closes tto th ecenter of th eroad .
Use th eTechnical Specification ISO/TS 2160 9
when retrofitting RF transmitters (Road Vehicles
- EM Cguidelines for installation of aftermarket
radi ofrequency transmitting equipment) .
Observ eth elegal requirements for accessory
parts.
If your vehicl ehas installation sfor two-way radi o
equipment, use th epower suppl yor antenna
connection sintended for use wit hth ebasic wir-
ing .Be sur eto observ eth emanufacturer' sSup -
plemen twhen installing.
Deviation swit hrespec tto frequency bands,
maximum transmission output sor antenna
position smust be approve dby Mercedes-Benz.
350Vehicle electronics
Technical data
The maximum transmission output (PEAK) at the
base of the antenna must not exceed the fol-
lowing values:
Frequency bandMaximum
transmission output
Short wave
3 - 54 MHz100 W
4 m waveband
74 - 88 MHz30 W
2 m waveband
144 - 174 MHz50 W
Trunked radio system/
Tetra
380 - 460 MHz10 W
70 cm waveband
400 - 460 MHz35 W
Mobile communications
(2G/3G/4G)10 W
The following can be used in the vehicle without
restrictions:
RRF transmitters with a maximum transmis-
sion output of up to 100 mW
RRF transmitters with transmitter frequencies
in the 380 - 410 MHz waveband and a maxi-
mum transmission output of up to 2 W
(trunked radio/Tetra)
RMobile phones (2G/3G/4G)
There are no restrictions when positioning the
antenna on the outside of the vehicle for the
following wavebands:
RTrunked radio system/Tetra
R70 cm waveband
R2G/3G/4G
Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with vehi-
cle identification number (VIN)
XOpen the driver's door.
You will see vehicle identification plate :.
Example: vehicle identification plate (USA only)
;
Paint code
=VIN
Example: vehicle identification plate (Canada only)
;
Paint code
=VIN
iThe data shown on the vehicle identification
plate is used only as an example. This data is
different for every vehicle and can deviate
Identification plates351
Technical data
Z
from the data shown here. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
XOpen the front right-hand door.
XOpen cover:in the direction of the arrow
and remove it.
You will see the VIN.
The VIN can also be found in the following loca-
tions:
Ron the lower edge of the windshield
(Ypage 352)
Ron the vehicle identification plate
(Ypage 351)
Engine number
:Emission control information plate, includ-
ing the certification of both federal and Cali-
fornian emissions standards
;Engine number (stamped into the crank-
case)
=VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
Service products and filling capaci-
ties
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
RFuels
RExhaust gas aftertreatment additives, e.g.
DEF
RLubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
RCoolant
RBrake fluid
RWindshield washer fluid
RClimate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must match.
You should therefore only use products that
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
You can identify service products approved by
Mercedes-Benz by the following inscriptions on
the container:
RMB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
RMB-Approval (e.g. MB-Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi-
cate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet Number (e.g. MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other identifications, for example:
R0 W-30
R5 W-30
R5 W-40
352Service products and filling capacities
Technical data