Example: cap and coolant expansion tank
Checking the coolant level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
XSlowly turn cap:half a turn counter-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
XTurn cap :further and remove it.
XCheck the coolant level.
If the coolant reaches the maximum mark on
coolant expansion tank ;, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
Adding coolant
XIf the coolant drops under the minimum mark
on coolant expansion tank ;, add coolant to
the maximum mark.
Observe the information on coolant mixture
ratio and water quality in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 280). To prevent damage to
the engine cooling system, use only approved
corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze that com-
plies with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products.
XReplace cap :and turn it clockwise to
tighten.
XStart the engine.
XAfter approximately 5 minutes, switch off the
engine and allow it to cool down.
XCheck the coolant level again and add coolant
if necessary.
XClose the hood.
Brake fluid
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.
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Also observe
the safety notes in the "Service products and
capacities" section (
Ypage 273).
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
!Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and rub-
ber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come into
contact with brake fluid, rinse with water
immediately.
Have the brake fluid renewed every 2 year sat a
qualified specialist workshop. Observe the infor- mation on brake fluid in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 279).
Check the brake fluid level regularly, e.g. weekly
or when refueling.
Engine compartment219
Maintenance and care
Z
Checking the brake fluid level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
XCheck the brake fluid level.
The brake fluid level is correct if the level is
between the MIN mark and MAX mark on
brake fluid reservoir:.
XClose the hood.
!If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid res-
ervoir has fallen to the MIN mark or below,
check the brake system immediately for
leaks. Also check the thickness of the brake
linings. Visit a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct
the malfunction.
Washer fluid
GWARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is a risk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
!Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Example: washer fluid reservoir
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Observe the infor-
mation on washer fluid in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 281).
Adding washer fluid
XMix the washer fluid to the appropriate mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
XPull cap :on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
XAdd the premixed washer fluid.
XPress cap :onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
XClose the hood.
Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handling of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames, smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
ignition and auxiliary heating before carrying
out work to the fuel system. Always wear pro-
tective gloves.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an envi-
ronmentally responsible manner.
!When the :indicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged.
220Engine compartment
Maintenance and care
If the: indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with the
water separator immediately.
iWe recommend that you have this mainte-
nance work carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
XPark the vehicle safely and secure it from roll-
ing away.
XSwitch off the auxiliary heating system .
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
XPlace a suitable receptacle under drain
hose :.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock.
XOpen drain plug ;immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain hose :.
XScrew in drain plug;as soon as approx-
imately 0.2 qt (0.2 l)of the water/fuel mixture
has been collected.
The electrical fuel pump automatically halts
the flow of the water/fuel mixture after
30 seconds.
XAfter draining, turn the SmartKey back to
position 0in the ignition lock.
XDispose of the collected water/fuel mixture
in an environmentally responsible manner,
e.g. at a qualified specialist workshop.
XCheck drain plug ;. The drain plug must be
closed.
When the engine is running and drain hose ;
is open, fuel is lost through drain hose :.
XClose the hood (Ypage 215).
If the : indicator lamp does not go out after
draining:
XDrain the fuel filter again.
XIf the : indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Vehicle interior
Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
!
Regularly check the air filters for visible dirt.
Clean or replace a dirty filter mat. The dirt may otherwise lead to damage to the air-condi-
tioning system.
Filter magazine, located on the roof in the rear
compartment
An increased amount of sand or dust may collect
in the air filter of the rear-compartment air con-
ditioning when you drive on dusty or sandy
roads.
XTo remove the filter mat: carefully pry
cover :out of recesses ;and remove.
XRemove the filter mat from the air duct.
XTo clean the filter mat: wash the dirty filter
mat with clear water.
XLeave the filter mat to dry.
iThe filter mat must not be cleaned or dried in
a machine.
XTo install the filter mat: insert the filter mat
into the air duct.
XReplace and engage cover :.
Maintenance
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You must
observe the legal requirements when dispos-
ing of service products, e.g. engine oil. This
also includes all components, e.g. filters,
which have come into contact with service
products. Any qualified specialist workshop
can provide information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally
Maintenance221
Maintenance and care
Z
Installing the starter battery
XInsertth ebattery int oth ebattery case.
XFold down th ebar of th ebattery.
XSlide th ebattery int oits anchorage in th e
opposit edirection to th edirection of travel .
XInsertretainer =.
XTightenth ebolt son retainer =whic hhold s
th ebattery in place.
XAttac hbreather hos ewit hconnecto r
bracke t; to connection :of th eventilation
cover .
XConnect th ebattery (Ypage 225).
Disconnecting and connecting the
additional battery (engine compart-
ment)
Important safety notes
GWARNIN G
During th echarging process, abattery produ-
ce shydrogen gas. If ashort circuit occur sor
sparks are created, th ehydrogen gas can
ignite. Ther eis aris kof an explosion .
RMakesur ethat th epositive termina lof a
connecte dbattery does no tcome int ocon-
tac twit hvehicl eparts.
RNever plac emetal objects or tools on abat -
tery.
RIt is important that you observ eth edescri-
bed order of th ebattery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting abattery.
RWhen jump-starting ,mak esur ethat th e
battery pole swit hidentical polarit yare
connected.
RIt is particularly important to observ eth e
describe dorder when connecting and dis-
connecting th ejumper cables.
RNever connec tor disconnect th ebattery
terminals while th eengin eis running.
Disconnecting the additional battery
!Switc hoff th eengin eand remove th eke y
from th eignition lock. Firstly remove th ebat -
tery terminals. Otherwise, you could destroy electronic component
ssuc has th ealterna-
tor.
Always disconnect th estarter battery in th e
battery cas ein th eleft-han dside footwell
first .
!Always disconnect th ebattery in th eorder
describe dbelow. Never swap th etermina l
clamps. You may otherwise damag eth evehi-
cle electronics .
Additional battery in th eengin ecompartmen t
XSwitchoff all electrical consumers.
XSwitc hoff th eengin eand remove th eke y
from th eignition lock.
XOpen th ehoo d (Ypage 214).
XFirst loosen and remove th enegative termina l
clam pso that it is no longer in contact wit h
th eterminal.
XRemove th ecover from th epositive terminal.
XLoosen and remove th epositive termina l
clamp.
Connecting the additional battery
!Always connec tth ebattery in th eorder
describe dbelow. Never swap th etermina l
clamps. You may otherwise damag eth evehi-
cle electronics .
XConnect thepositive termina lclamp.
XAttac hth ecover to th epositive terminal.
XConnect th enegative termina lclamp.
XClose th ehood.
Carr yout th efollowin gwor kafter connecting
th ebattery:
XReset th eside windows (Ypage 71).
Battery227
Maintenance and care
Z
Before connecting the jumper cables
On vehicles with a battery main switch, check
whether the battery main switch is switched on
(
Ypage 116).
XApply the parking brake.
XMove the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to positionP.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. audio
equipment, blower.
XTurn the key to position0in the ignition lock
and remove it (Ypage 117).
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
Tow-starting and towing away
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
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.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on the gross vehicle weight can be
found on the vehicle identification plate
(
Ypage 272).
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could be
damaged.
!Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
RSecure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
REnsure that the tow cable is not longer than
legally permitted. Mark the tow cable in the
middle, e.g. with a white cloth (30 x 30 cm).
This will make other road users aware that
the vehicle is being towed.
ROnly secure the tow cable to the towing
eye.
RObserve the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance so that the tow rope does not sag.
RDo not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery, this
could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, recover
the vehicl
e with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
When towing away, you must observe the legal
requirements for the country in which you are
currently driving.
It is preferable to have the vehicle transported
on a transporter or trailer instead of towing it.
Tow-starting and towing away239
Breakdown assistance
Z