Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 291
Tire tread ....................................... 278
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 295
Total load limit (definition) ............. 296
Traction (definition) ....................... 296
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 296
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 294
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 296
Wheel and tire combination ........... 300
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 294
Wheel/tire combinations ............... 300
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 61
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 276
Important safety notes .................. 274
Towing
If the vehicle is stuck ..................... 276
Installing/removing the towing
eye ................................................. 275
Towing a trailer
Active Parking Assist ..................... 154
Axle load, permissible .................... 314
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 267
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 165
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 167
Driving tips .................................... 163
Notes on retrofitting ...................... 313
Power supply ................................. 168
Trailer loads ................................... 314
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 274
With both axles on the ground ....... 276
With the rear axle raised ................ 275
Towing eye ......................................... 270
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 167
Trailer operation
Lights display messages (vehicle
with steering wheel buttons) ......... 209
Lights display messages (vehicle
without steering wheel buttons) .... 196Trai
ler towing
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 148
ESP
®................................................ 67
PARKTRONIC ................................. 154
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 167
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission oil ........................ 308, 309
Transmission positions
Automatic transmission ................. 127
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 128
Transport
Lashing straps ............................... 245
Loading guidelines ......................... 242
Stickers ......................................... 245
Vehicle ........................................... 276
Transport by rail ................................ 137
Transportation
Rail ................................................ 137
Transportation aids
Load protection net ....................... 247
Transporting
Cargo compartment variations ...... 244
Load distribution ............................ 243
Securing a load .............................. 244
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 268
Trip computer
Displaying (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 179
Displaying (vehicle without steer-
ing wheel buttons) ......................... 172
Resetting (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 179
Resetting (vehicle without steer-
ing wheel buttons) ......................... 172
Selecting the display units (vehi-
cle with steering wheel buttons) .... 186
Selecting the display units (vehi-
cle without steering wheel but-
tons) .............................................. 175
Trip odometer
Displaying (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 178
Displaying (vehicle without steer-
ing wheel buttons) ......................... 172
Index23
put is also modified to keep the vehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP®can
also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ESP
®also monitors traction, i.e. power trans-
mission between the tires and the road surface.
The integrated traction control supports you
when pulling away or accelerating on wet, slip-
pery or slick roads. Should the drive wheels spin,
traction control brakes them individually. In
addition, greater drive torque is transmitted to
the wheel or wheels with traction. If traction on
the road surface is not sufficient, even ESP
®will
not allow you to pull away without difficulty. The
type of tires and total weight of the vehicle as
well as the gradient of the road also play a cru-
cial role. Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
®.
If the h warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out before beginning the journey, ESP
®
is automatically active.
The h warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes when ESP
®intervenes:
XDo not deactivate ESP®under any circum-
stances.
Xwhen driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
Xadapt your speed and driving style to the pre-
vailing road conditions.
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If ESP
®is malfunctioning it will not provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP
®checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!Do not run the vehicle on a roller dynamom-
eter (e.g. for performance tests). If you must
operate the vehicle on a roller dynamometer,
please consult a qualified specialist workshop
in advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
If ESP
®is malfunctioning, the hwarning
lamp (Ypage 222) lights up continuously while the engine is running and the display shows a
message.
Ron vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 194)
Ron vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Ypage 208)
ESP®is deactivated if the åwarning lamp in
the instrument cluster is lit when the engine is
running.
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP
®function properly.
Deactivating or activating ESP®
GWARNING
If you deactivate ESP
®, ESP®no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP
®in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP
®in the follow-
ing situations:
Rwhen using snow chains
Rin deep snow
Ron sand or gravel
Activate ESP®as soon as the situations descri-
bed above no longer apply. Otherwise, ESP®
assistance for stabilizing the vehicle will remain significantly reduced, even if the vehicle starts
to skid.
If you deactivate ESP
®:
Rthe å warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up
Rthe ÷ warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes if the wheels are spinning
RESP®assistance for stabilizing the vehicle in
the lower speed range up to approximately
37 mph (60 km/h) is significantly reduced
Rengine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action for bet-
ter traction on loose surfaces
Rtraction control is still activated
RESP®still provides support when you brake
66Driving safety systems
Safety
Always use the hands-free system for telephon-
ing while driving. Only use the telephone if road
traffic conditions permit. If this is not the case,
pull over to a safe location before using the tele-
phone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is cov-
ering a distance of 44 fee t(approximately 14 m)
every second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
In order to save fuel, observe the following tips:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof carriers when they are not nee-
ded.
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 moun-
tainous terrain.
Overrun cutoff
If you are in overrun mode and take your foot off
the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is cut off
when the engine speed is out of the idle speed
control range.
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.
Emission control
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous substances in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the man-
ufacturer's specifications. Any work on the
engine should therefore be carried out by quali-
fied and authorized Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed under
any circumstances. In addition, all specific
maintenance work must be carried out at regu-
lar intervals and in accordance with the service
requirements of the dealer listed here on the
inside title page. Details can be found in the
Maintenance Booklet.
Speed limiter
GWARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
As the driver, you must be aware of the maxi-
mum design speed of the vehicle and the maxi- mum permissible speed based on the tires (tire
and tire pressure). In particular, also observe the tire approval regulations for each country.
You must not exceed the speed limit for the tires
indicated by the speed rating. The speed rating
is stated in the tire tables (
Ypage 300).
You can permanently limit the permissible max-
imum speed of your vehicle, e.g. for driving on
winter tires.
136Driving tips
Driving and parking
For vehicles with a trailer coupling installed, the
minimum length for parking spaces will be
slightly increased.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle, you
should not use Active Parking Assist. Once the
electrical connection is established between
your vehicle and the trailer, Active Parking
Assist is no longer available. PARKTRONIC is
then deactivated for the rear area.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.:
Rin a zone where parking or stopping is pro-
hibited
Rin front of driveways or entrances and exits
Ron unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
Ron narrow roads, drive as closely as possible
past the parking space.
Rparking spaces that are littered or overgrown
might be identified or measured incorrectly.
Rparking spaces that are partially occupied by
trailer drawbars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly.
Rsnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
Rwhen transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist.
Rnever use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
Ralways ensure that the tire pressure is cor-
rect. This has a direct influence on the parking
characteristics of the vehicle.
Rif you mount w heels with a different wheel
size, this will have a direct influence on the
parking result.
Rif you mount tires from another manufacturer,
this may have an influence on the parking
result.
Rif you drive slowly past the parking space, a
better parking result is achieved.
Rpay attention to the PARKTRONIC warning
messages (Ypage 153) during the parking
procedure.
Ryou can intervene in the steering procedure to
correct it at any time. Parking assistance will
then be canceled and Active Parking Assist
stopped.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces
that are:
Rparallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel.
Ron straight roads, not bends.
Ron the same level as the road, e.g. not on the
pavement.
Detecting parking spaces
GWARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
RActive Park Assist may steer too early
Rthe vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
Objects located above the height range of Active
Parking Assist will not be detected when the
parking space is measured. These are not taken
into account when the parking procedure is cal-
culated, e.g. overhanging loads, overhangs or
truck loading ramps.
For further information on the detection range
(
Ypage 152).
Driving systems155
Driving and parking
Z
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).
Loading guidelines
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When objects are unsecured or inadequately
secured, they can slip, turn over or be thrown
about, striking vehicle occupants. This also
applies to:
Rluggage or loads
Rseats which have been removed and are
being transported in the vehicle in an
exceptional case.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of a braking maneuver or abrupt change
in direction.
Always stow objects in such a way that they
cannot be tossed about. Before traveling,
secure objects, luggage or loads to prevent
them slipping or tipping over. If you remove a
seat, store it preferably outside the vehicle.
GWARNING
As a result of improperly placed or unevenly
distributed loads, the center of gravity of the
load being transported may be too high or too
far back. This can significantly impair handling
as well as steering and braking characteris-
tics. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the center of gravity of
the load is:
Rbetween the axles
and
Ras low as possible, near the rear axle.
GWARNING
When the permissible wheel loads, axle loads
and/or the maximum permissible gross vehi-
cle weight are exceeded, driving safety is
compromised. The handling as well as steer-
ing and braking characteristics may be signif-
icantly impaired. Overloaded tires may over-
heat, causing them to burst. There is a risk of
an accident.
When transporting a load, always observe the
permissible wheel loads, axle loads and the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
for the vehicle (including occupants).
!If you are using a roof carrier, observe the
maximum roof load and maximum roof carrier
load.
RDo not stack luggage or loads higher than the
backrests.
RObjects to be transported should preferably
be stowed in the cargo compartment.
RWhen transporting luggage, always use the
cargo tie-down rings for securing loads and a
cargo net, if installed.
RUse cargo tie-down rings and fasteners which
are suitable for the weight and size of the
load.
When using suitable load securing aids and tie
downs, always follow the manufacturer's oper-
ating instructions, in particular the notes on dis-
card criteria contained therein.
Load securing aids or tie downs must not be
used if:
Ridentification marks are missing or illegible
Rthere are yarn breakages, damage to bearing seams or other signs of tearing
Rthere are signs of shearing, deformation,
pinching or other damage
Rthere is damage to clamping or connecting
elements
Load securing aids and tie downs in this condi-
tion are ready for discard and must be replaced.
If you use load securing aids or tie downs which are worn out, the load may not be sufficiently
secured and could cause damage to property.
242Loading guidelines
Transporting loads
used cleaning productsinan environmentally
responsible manner.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths inan environmentally responsible man-
ner.
Regular care of your veh icle isa condition for
retaining the qualityin the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-
mended and approved byMercedes-Benz.
Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWAR NING
Braking eff iciency isreduced after washing
the veh icle. There isa risk of an acc ident.
After the veh iclehas been washed, brake
carefully whilepaying attention to the traff ic
conditions unt ilfull braking power isrestored.
!Make sure that the automat iccar wash is
suitable for the size of the veh icle.
Before washing the veh icle inan automat ic
car wash, fold inthe exterior mirrors and
remove any additional antennas. Otherwise,
the exterior mirror, antenna or the veh icle
itself could bedamaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave the
automat iccar wash.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side wind ows and the roof are com-
plet ely closed
Rthe clim ate control blower is swit ched off
Rthewind shield wiper swit chisat position 0
The veh iclecould otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the veh icle inan automat iccar
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirtbefore cleaning the veh icle
in an automat iccar wash. After putting the vehicle through an automat
ic
car wash, wipeoff wax from:
Rthe windshield
Rthewind shield wiperblades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused byresidue on the windshield.
Ron vehicles with rear doors, from the rear view
c
amera lens inthe top of the license plate
molding (
Ypage 267)
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements of the country
you are currently in when washing by hand.
XDo not use hot water and donot wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse a soft car sponge.
XUse a mildcleaning agent, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz approved car shampoo.
XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a gen-
tle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directly towards the
air inlet grilles.
XUse plenty of water and rinse out the sponge
frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
XDo not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle inwinter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozz le(dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diat ely.
!Under no circumstances use power washers
in the vehicle interior. The pressurized water
264Care
Maintenance and care
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
Regular wheel and tire checks
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Check the wheels and tires of your vehicle for
damage regularly, i.e. at least every two weeks,
as well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of tire
pressure. Pay particular attention to damage
such as:
Rcuts in the tires
Rpunctures
Rtears in the tires
Rbulges on tires
Rdeformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width of
the tire (
Ypage 278). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not install
anything onto the valve other than the standard
valve cap or other valve caps approved for your vehicle by dealers listed on the inside of the
front cover. Do not install any other valve caps
or systems, e.g. tire pressure monitor systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure if ne
cessary (Ypage 280).
The service life of tires depends on various fac-
tors, including the following:
Rdriving style
Rtire pressure
Rmileage
Tire tread
GWARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
RSummer tires: âin (3 mm)
RM+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Marker :shows the location where the bar
indicator (arrow) for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth is
approximately áin (1.6 mm). If this is the case,
the tire is so worn that it must be replaced.
Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same type
and make.
ROnly use wheels with tire sizes approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
ROnly mount tires of the correct size onto the
wheels.
RBreak in new tires at moderate speeds for the
first 65 miles (100 km).
278Operation
Wheels and tires