XHold support strut?and lift the hood
slightly.
XGuide support strut ?towards retainer =
and apply slight pressure to make it engage.
XLower the hood and allow it to fall with
momentum from a height of approximately
1 ft (30 cm).
The hood locks audibly.
XCheck that the hood is correctly locked.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. If the hood is not correctly
engaged, open the hood again. Let the hood
fall with a little more momentum.
Overview of the engine compartment
Engine compartment (example)
:
Engine oil filler neck cap (Ypage 252)
;Brake fluid reservoir cap (Ypage 255)
=Coolant expansion tank cap (Ypage 253)
?Washer fluid reservoir cap (Ypage 256)
Regularly check the fluid level and the assembly
for leaks. If you detect fluid loss, e.g. oil stains
on the vehicle parking space, consult a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
Engine oil
General notes
!Engine oil gets dirty in the course of opera-
tion and its quality and volume are gradually
diminished. Regularly check the oil level, and
top up or have it replaced as needed.
Observe the information on approved engine
oils and oil consumption under "Service prod-
ucts and capacities" (
Ypage 307). You can check the oil level in the engine:
Rwith the oil dipstick
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following.
Oil dipstick and engine oil filler neck
Only check the oil level when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait for five minutes.
252Engine compartment
Maintenance and care
RIt is important that you observe the descri-
bed 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 dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
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.
!You should have all work involving the bat-
tery carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If, in exceptional circumstances, you need to
disconnect the battery yourself, please make
sure that:
RSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
RYou have switched off the engine and
removed the key. Make sure the ignition is
switched off. Check to see that there are no
indicator lamps lighting in the instrument
cluster. Electronic components such as the
alternator may otherwise be damaged.
RAfter the battery has been disconnected,
the parking brake is automatically
engaged. You can then no longer move the
vehicle.
RFor vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. You can
then no longer move the vehicle.
RYou have first removed the negative termi- nal and then the positive terminal. Never
mix up the terminal clamp disconnection/
connection order and never mix up the ter-
minal clamps. The vehicle's electronics
may otherwise be damaged. The battery and the cover of the positive ter-
minal clamp must be installed securely during
operation.
Seat base (example: right-hand front seat)
The following description on disconnecting and
removing the battery is based upon the example
of the starter battery in the seat base of the
driver's seat. The additional battery is discon-
nected and removed in the same way as the
starter battery. The auxiliary battery is located in the seat base of the left-hand front seat.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XSwitch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
XOpen the front door on the right-hand side.
iTo disconnect or remove the additional bat-
tery, open the left-hand front door. The auxil-
iary battery is located in the seat base of the
left-hand front seat.
XPress both latching springs :down and
remove cover ;upwards from the seat base.
XRemove cover ;by pulling upwards at an
angle from the seat base.
Open seat base (example: right-hand front seat)
XRemove screws Afrom holder B.
XRemove holder B.
260Battery
Maintenance and care
!Vehicles with a gasoline engine:avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Oth-
erwise, the catalytic converter could be dam-
aged by non-combusted fuel.
If the indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster do not light up at low tempera-
tures, the discharged battery may have frozen.
In this case you may neither charge the battery
nor jump-start the vehicle. The service life of a
thawed battery may be shorter. Start-up behav-
ior may deteriorate, in particular at low temper-
atures. Have the thawed battery checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start the
vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from a donor battery using jumper
cables. For this purpose, the vehicle has a jump-
starting connection point in the engine com-
partment.
When jump-starting, 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 donor battery
or a jump-starting device.
RYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the
engine and exhaust system are cold.
Rdo not start the engine if the battery is frozen.
Let the battery thaw first.
Rjump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
Ronly use jumper cables that have a sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
Rif the battery is fully discharged, attach the
battery of another vehicle for a few minutes
before attempting to start. This charges the
empty battery a little.
Rmake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
Rthe jumper cables are not damaged.
Rbare parts of the terminal clamps do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jumper cables are connected to the battery.
Rthe jumper cables cannot come into contact
with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
These parts move when the engine is started
and while it is running.
Jumper cables and further information regarding
jump starting can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Before connecting the jumper cables
XApply the parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. audio
equipment, blower.
XTurn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 251).
Connecting the jumper cable
XPush contact protection cover :of the jump-
starting connection point backwards against
the spring force as far as it will go.
The jump-starting connection point is visible.
Terminal connecting planXRemove the cover from positive terminal =
of the donor vehicle's battery.
XConnect the positive terminal clamp of the
jumper cable to positive terminal =of the
donor vehicle's battery, and then to positive
terminal Aof the jump-starting connection
point.
XRun the donor vehicle's engine at idling
speed.
Jump-starting273
Breakdown assistance
Z
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or
trailer if it has transmission damage.
When towing, the automatic transmission must
be in position N. If the automatic transmission
cannot be shifted to position N, have the vehicle
transported on a transporter or trailer.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the key to position 2in the igni-
tion lock
Rcannot shift the transmission to position N
Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the auto-
matic locking feature (
Ypage 74). You could
otherwise lock yourself out of the vehicle when
pushing or towing away the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the front towing eye is located in the
bumper.
The rear towing eye is located under the bumper.
If you tow or tow-start a vehicle, attach the tow-
ing device to rear towing eye ;.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer tow
hitch (
Ypage 163). Installing the front towing eye
XTake the towing eye and screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit (Ypage 270).
XPress the arrow on the cover
:and remove
cover :from the opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the stop.
XInsert the screwdriver into the towing eye and
tighten the towing eye.
XStow the screwdriver in the vehicle tool kit
(Ypage 270).
Removing the front towing eye
XRemove the screwdriver from the vehicle tool
kit (Ypage 270).
XInsert the screwdriver into the towing eye and
turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise.
XUnscrew the towing eye.
XInsert cover :with the lug at the top and
press it in at the bottom until it engages.
XStow the towing eye and the screwdriver with
the vehicle tool kit (Ypage 270).
Towing with the rear axle raised
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be towed with the rear axle raised. The
vehicle/trailer combination may otherwise
swerve or even roll over.
!The ignition must be switched off if the vehi-
cle is being towed with the front or rear axle
raised. Otherwise, ESP
®may intervene and
damage the brake system.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 96).
XTurn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
XRelease the parking brake.
XIf necessary, turn the key to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
XTake the key with you when leaving the vehi-
cle.
XDo not exceed the towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Please observe the important safety instruc-
tions when towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised (
Ypage 274).
Tow-starting and towing away275
Breakdown assistance
Z
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
Important safety notes
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.
!Do not exceed the towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). You could otherwise damage the
transmission.
Please observe the important safety notes
before towing your vehicle (
Ypage 274).
Towing vehicles with automatic trans-
mission
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
N.
XLeave the key in position 2in the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 96).
XRelease the parking brake.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XDo not exceed the towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Recovering a vehicle that is stuck
!
When recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck, pull it as smoothly and evenly as pos-
sible. Excessive tractive power could damage
the vehicles.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care. This is especially the case if the
vehicle is laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a trailer
attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible, using
the tracks it made when it became stuck.
Transporting the vehicle
!
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye or trailer tow hitch can be used
to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or transporter if
you wish to transport it.
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XShift the transmission to position N.
XRelease the parking brake.
If the vehicle is loaded:
XShift the transmission to position P.
XTurn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
XMake sure the parking brake is applied.
XLash down the vehicle.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
General notes
!Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be tow-started. You could otherwise dam-
age the automatic transmission.
You can find information on jump-starting under
"Jump-starting“ (
Ypage 272).
Electrical fuses
The fuse allocation chart and important safety
information on the fuses can be found in the
"Fuse allocation chart" supplement.
276Electrical fuses
Breakdown assistance
Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models as
well as standard and optional equipment of your
vehicle that were available at the time of going
to print. Country-specific variations are possi-
ble. Note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the described functions. This also
applies to systems and functions relevant to
safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (
Ypage 31).
Important safety notes
GWarning
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with a flat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used, the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmodel
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmanufacturer
Rmodel
Accessories that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being used cor-
rectly can impair operating safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and inquire about:
Rsuitability
Rlegal stipulations
Rfactory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
under "Wheel and tire combinations" .
Information on your vehicle's tire pressure can
be found:
Rin the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the B-pillar, driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table inside the fuel filler
flap (Ypage 281)
Runder "Tire pressure tables" (Ypage 288)
Runder "Tire pressure" (Ypage 280)
Modifications to the brake system or wheels are
not permitted. The use of a spacer and brake
dust shields is not permitted. This invalidates
the general operating permit for the vehicle.
Further information on wheels and tires can be
obtained at any qualified specialist workshop.
Operation
Information for a journey
If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures, and correct them, if necessary
(
Ypage 280).
While driving, pay attention to vibrations, noises
and unusual handling characteristics, e.g. pull-
ing to one side. This may indicate that the
wheels or tires are damaged. If you suspect that
a tire is defective, reduce your speed immedi-
ately. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible to
check the wheels and tires for damage. Hidden
tire damage could also be causing the unusual
handling characteristics. If you find no signs of
damage, have the tires and wheels checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that the
tires do not get deformed by the curb or other
obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over curbs,
speed humps or similar elevations, try to do so
slowly and not at a sharp angle. Otherwise, the
tires, particularly the sidewalls, can get dam-
aged.
Operation277
Wheels and tires
Z
Mounting a wheel
Vehicle preparation
XStop the vehicle as far away as possible from
traffic and on a level, firm and non-slip sur-
face.
XIf your vehicle poses a risk to approaching
traffic, switch on the hazard warning lamps.
XApply the parking brake.
XTurn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XSwitch off the engine.
XPassengers should leave the vehicle. Make
sure that the passengers are not endangered
as they do so.
XMake sure that no one is near the danger area
while the wheel is being changed. Anyone
who is not directly assisting in the wheel
change should, for example, stand behind the
barrier.
XPlace the warning triangle or warning lamp at
a suitable distance.
Observe the legal requirements on the cor-
rect use of the warning triangle or warning
lamp for the country in which you are cur-
rently driving
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
Observe the safety notes on parking under
"Driving and parking" (
Ypage 133)
XOn level terrain: place chocks or other suit-
able objects under the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the wheel to
be changed.
XOn slight inclines: place chocks or other
suitable objects under the wheels on the front and rear axles opposite the wheel to be
changed.
XIf included in the vehicle equipment, take the
tire-changing tool kit out of the vehicle tool kit
(
Ypage 270).
Apart from some country-specific variants,
vehicles are not equipped with tire-changing
tools. Some tools for changing a wheel are
specific to the vehicle. Consult a qualified
specialist workshop for more information on
which tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle.
XIf included in the vehicle equipment, remove
the spare wheel from the spare wheel bracket (
Ypage 301). Observe the safety notes listed
under "Spare wheel" (Ypage 301).
XCarefully remove the hub caps.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the wheel bolts
on the wheel to be changed counter-clock-
wise by about one full turn. Do not remove the
wheel bolts.
Raising the vehicle
GWARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
GWARNING
On uphill and downhill slopes, the jack could
tip over with the vehicle raised. There is a risk
of injury.
Do not change wheels on uphill or downhill
gradients. Notify a qualified specialist work-
shop.
!Only position the jack on the jacking points
intended for this purpose. You could other-
wise damage the vehicle.
Observe the following when raising the vehicle:
RTo raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-spe-
cific jack that has been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. If the jack is used incor-
Changing wheels297
Wheels and tires
Z
rectly, it could tip over while the vehicle is
raised.
RThe vehicle's jack is intended only to raise the
vehicle for a short time when changing a
wheel. It is not suited for performing mainte-
nance work under the vehicle.
RAvoid changing the wheel on uphill and down-
hill slopes.
RBefore raising the vehicle, secure it from roll-
ing away by applying the parking brake and
inserting wheel chocks. Never disengage the
parking brake while the vehicle is raised.
RThe jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a large,
load-bearing underlay must be used. On a
slippery surface, a non-slip underlay must be
used, e.g. rubber mats.
RMake sure that the distance between the
underside of the tires and the ground does not
exceed 1.2 in(3 cm).
RNever place your hands or feet under the
raised vehicle.
RNever lie under the raised vehicle.
RNever start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
RNever open or close a door or the tailgate/
door when the vehicle is raised.
RMake sure that no persons are present in the
vehicle when the vehicle is raised.
Jacking points :(rubber stoppers) are located
just behind the front wheel arches and just in
front of the rear wheel arches.
XPlace jack ;beneath corresponding jacking
points :.
XTurn handwheel =until jack plate ;sits
securely on jacking point :.
XMake sure the base of jack ;is positioned
vertically beneath jacking point :.
XAssemble adapter?and ratchet Afrom the
vehicle tool kit.
XPlace adapter ?and ratchet Aon the hex-
agon nut of jack ;so that the lettering AB/
DOWN is visible.
XTurn ratchet Ain the AUF/UP direction until
the tire is a maximum of 3 cm off the ground.
When doing so, jack ;may move to one of
the side support surfaces.
Removing a wheel
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or on a dirty
surface. The bolt and wheel hub threads could
otherwise be damaged when you screw them
in.
XUnscrew the wheel bolts.
XRemove the wheel.
Mounting a new wheel
GWARNING
Oiled or greased wheel bolts or damaged
wheel bolts/hub threads can cause the wheel bolts to come loose. As a result, you could
lose a wheel while driving. There is a risk of
accident.
Never oil or grease wheel bolts. In the event of
damage to the threads, contact a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. Have the
damaged wheel bolts or hub threads
replaced/renewed. Do not continue driving.
GWARNING
If you tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is raised, the jack could tip
over. There is a risk of injury.
Only tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is on the ground.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Changing a wheel" (
Ypage 296).
298Changing wheels
Wheels and tires