
Vehicle
Warning/
indicator
lampNSignal type
Possible causes/consequences and M
Solutions
ÐNThe red power steering warning lamp is lit while the engine is running.
The power steering is malfunctioning.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a risk of an accident.
XCheck whether you are able to apply the extra force required.
XIf you are able to steer safely: carefully drive on to a qualified specialist work-
shop.
XIf you are unable to steer safely: do not drive on. Contact the nearest qualified
specialist workshop.
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster203
On-board computer and displays
Z

XMake sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
XPull release lever:on the hood.
The hood is released.
XReach into the gap, pull hood catch handle ;
up and lift the hood.
If you lift the hood, the hood is opened and
held open automatically by the gas-filled
strut.
Closing the hood
GWARNING
When opening and closing the hood, it may
suddenly fall into the closed position. There is a risk of injury to persons within range of
movement of the hood.
Open and close the hood only when no one is
within its range of movement.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close it
with a little more force.
Engine oil
Notes on the oil level
Depending on your driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 liters) of oil per
600 miles (1,000 km). The oil consumption may be higher than this when the vehicle is new or if
you frequently drive at high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be
in a different location.
It is only possible to correctly measure the oil
level when:
Rthe engine is at normal operating temperature
Rthe vehicle is parked on a level surface
Rthe engine is left running in neutral for at least
30 seconds before switching off
This applies when checking the oil level using
the oil dipstick or on-board computer.
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
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.
It is only possible to correctly measure the oil
level with the oil dipstick when the engine is at
normal operating temperature and in a period of
2 to minutes after the engine has been switched
off.
Engine compartment233
Maintenance and care
Z

XPull oil dipstick:out of the dipstick guide
tube.
XWipe off oil dipstick :.
XSlowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide tube
to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and MAX
mark ;, the oil level is correct.
XIf the oil level has dropped to MIN mark =or
below, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter) engine oil.
Checking the oil level using the on-board computer
Calling up the oil level measurement
XSelect key position 2with the Start/Stop button.
XUse ò on the steering wheel to call up the list of menus.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering wheel to select the Servicemenu.
XConfirm by pressingaon the steering wheel.
XUse: or9 to select the Engine Oil Levelsubmenu.
XPressato confirm the selection.
The Measuring Engine Oil Level Accurate Only When Vehicle Is Levelmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
The measurement takes a few seconds. You will see a message in the multifunction display. The
messages are explained in the following chapter.
Engine oil level display messages
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Engine Oil Level OKThe engine oil level is correct.
Check Engine OilLevel (Add 1 Liter)
The engine oil level is too low.
XAdd 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter) of engine oil.
Reduce Engine OilLevel
The engine oil level is too high.
XHave excess engine oil siphoned off.
For Engine OilLevelIgnitionMustBe On
The ignition is switched off.
XSelect key position2with the Start/Stop button.
Need More Time toCheck Engine OilLevel
The required waiting period was not observed.
XThe engine must be at regular operating temperature.
Measurements can only be taken within the first four minutes after
the engine has been switched off.
Engine Oil LevelNotMeasurablewithEngine Running
The engine is running; oil level measurement is not possible.
XSwitch off the engine.
XRepeat the measurement. Observe the required waiting period.
234Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Additional service products
Checking coolant level
GWARNIN G
Certain component sin th eengin ecompart-
ment, suc has th eengine, radiato rand part s
of th eexhaust system, can become ver yhot .
Working in th eengin ecompartmen tposes a
ris kof injury.
Wher epossible, let th eengin ecool down and
touch only th ecomponent sdescribed in th e
following.
GWARNIN G
Opening th ehoo dwhen th eengin eis over-
heated or when there is afir ein th eengin e
compartmen tcould expos eyou to hot gase s
or other servic eproducts .There is aris kof
injury.
Let an overheate dengin ecool down before
opening th ehood. If there is afir ein th e
engin ecompartment, keep th ehoo dclosed
and contact th efir edepartment.
GWARNIN G
The coolin gsystem is pressurized, particularly
when th emotor is warm .If you open th ecap ,
you could be scalded if hot coolan tsprays out .
There is aris kof injury.
Let th eengin ecool down before you open th e
cap .Wear gloves and eye protection .Slowly
open th ecap to reliev epressure.
!Befor estarting your journey, mak esur ethat
all engin ecover sare installed. Otherwise ,th e
engin ecan be damaged, e.g. throug hover-
heating .
Example
XPark thevehicl eon alevel surface.
Only chec kth ecoolan tlevel when th evehicl e
is on alevel surfac eand th eengin ehas cooled
down .
XSelec tke yposition 2withth eStart/Sto p
button.
XChec kth ecoolan ttemperature display in th e
instrumen tcluster.
The coolan ttemperature mus tbe belo w
15 8 ‡ (70 †).
XSelec tke yposition uwithth eStart/Sto p
button.
XRemove engin ecover :upwards on bot h
sides.
XSlowly tur ncap ;half atur ncounter-clock -
wise to allow excess pressur eto escape.
XTurn cap ;further counter-clockwise and
remove it .
If th ecoolan tis at th elevel of th emarke rbar
in th efiller neck when cold, there is enough
coolan tin coolan texpansion tan k=.
If th ecoolan tlevel is approximately 0. 6in
(1. 5cm) abov eth emarke rbar in th efiller
neck when warm ,there is enough coolan tin
coolan texpansion tan k=.
XIf necessary, add coolan tthat has been tested
and approve dby Mercedes-Benz .
236Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

The electrolyte of the battery is cor-
rosive. Avoid contact with skin, eyes
or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,
especially gloves, apron and face-
guard.
Immediately rinse electrolyte
splashes off with clean water. Con-
tact a physician if necessary.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use batteries which have
been tested and approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz. These batteries provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehicle
occupants from suffering acid burns should the
battery be damaged in the event of an accident.
In order for the battery to achieve the maximum
possible service life, it must always be suffi-
ciently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may
discharge over time if you do not use the vehicle.
In this case, have the battery disconnected at a
qualified specialist workshop. You can also
charge the battery with a special charger rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz. Contact a quali- fied specialist workshop for further information.
Have the battery condition of charge checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop if you wish to leave your vehicle
parked for a long period of time.
When you use the SmartKey in the ignition and
you park the car, remove the SmartKey if you do not require any electrical consumers. The vehi-
cle will then use very little energy, thus conserv-
ing battery power.
If the power supply has been interrupted, e.g. if
you reconnect the battery, you will have to:
Rreset the function for automatically folding
the exterior mirrors in/out by folding the mir-
rors out once (
Ypage 87)
Rreset the side windows, see (Ypage 77)
Charging the battery
!
Only use battery chargers with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.4 V.
!Only charge the battery using the jump-
starting connection point.
The jump-starting connection point is in the
engine compartment (
Ypage 251).
XOpen the hood.
XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same order
as when connecting the donor battery in the
jump-starting procedure (
Ypage 251).
Keep away from fire and open flames. Do not
lean over a battery. Never charge the battery if it
is still installed in the vehicle, unless you use a
battery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. A battery charger
unit specially adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles and tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz is available as an accessory. It permits the
charging of the battery in its installed position.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information and availability. Read the
battery charger's operating instructions before
charging the battery.
Do not charge a battery which has been
removed at low temperatures with a battery
charger. Allow the battery to warm up gently
first, if necessary. Otherwise, the service life can
be shortened and the starting characteristics
impaired, especially at low temperatures.
Jump-starting
XFor the jump-starting procedure, use only the jump-starting connection point in the engine com- partment, consisting of a positive terminal and a ground point.
Jump-starting251
Breakdown assistance
Z

All vehicles:
XSlide cover Aof positive terminal :inthe direction of the arrow.
XConnect positive terminal :on your veh icleto positive terminal ;of donor battery Busing the
jumper cable. Always begin with positive terminal :on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor veh icleand run itat idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal =of donor battery Bto ground point ?of your vehicle using the
jumper cable. Beg in with donor battery Bfirst.
XStart the engine of your own veh icle.
XLet the engines run for several minutes.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, switch on an electrical consumer inyour own vehicle,
e.g. the rear window heating or the lighting.
XWhen the jump-starting procedu reis finished: first, remove the jumper cables from ground
poin t? and from negative terminal =of the donor battery, and then from positive terminal :
and positive terminal ;of the donor battery. Begin each time at the contacts on your own vehicle
first.
XAfter removing the jumper cables, close cover Aof positive terminal :.
XOnly for vehicles with a carbon-fiber engine cover: insert the cover of the jump-starting
connection point. Make sure all mountings for the fasteners are positioned precisely behind the
corresponding recesses inthe cover.
Press the fasteners into the mountings. Turn the fasteners by Õof a turn to engage.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting isnot cons idered to bea normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Jump-starting253
Breakdown assistance
Z

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The rear axle locks when:
Rthe engine is not running
Rthe engine stalls while the vehicle is being
towed
Rthere is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a breakdown, you should
always have the vehicle transported.
GWARNING
If the brake system or power steering is mal-
functioning and your vehicle is then towed
away, significantly more effort may be
required to steer and brake than is normally
required. There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
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.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (
Ypage 282).
!Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop
button when towing the vehicle.
Start the engine and keep it running. The
SmartKey is in position 2in the ignition lock.
Set the transmission to iusing the E-
SELECT selector lever. Make sure that you
then leave the SmartKey in position 2.Check the transmission position in the instru-
ment cluster.
!Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty,
visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!Secure the tow rope or tow bar to the towing
eye only. Otherwise, the vehicle could
become damaged.
!When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTR ONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Do not use the towing eyes for recovery pur-
poses as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
!Shift the automatic transmission to position
i and do not open the driver's or front-
passenger door when towing the vehicle
away. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
may shift to position jwhich can cause
damage to both vehicles.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This
could damage the vehicle.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!Observe the transmission fluid temperature
(AMG menu) in the on-board computer when
towing. The transmission fluid temperature
must not exceed 250 ‡ (
120 †). If this
occurs, you must stop towing immediately.
!Tow-starting the vehicle is not permitted.
The transmission may otherwise be damaged.
254Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Also observe the following notes:
RIf the engine does not start, try jump-starting
it (Ypage 251). Tow-starting the vehicle is not
permitted.
RIf it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
have it transported to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the vehicle can no longer be driven because of
an accident or breakdown, you have the follow-
ing options:
Rtransporting the vehicle
As a rule, you should have the vehicle trans-
ported.
Rtowing the vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases. The
engine must be running if you tow the vehicle
with a tow rope or tow bar.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission damage,
have it transported on a transporter or trailer.
Observe the display messages in the instrument
cluster.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rwill not be able to switch on the ignition with
the Start/Stop button
Rcannot start the engine
Rcannot release the electric parking brake
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to
position i
Disarm the automatic locking feature before the
vehicle is towed (
Ypage 72). You could other-
wise be locked out when pushing or towing the
ve
hicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
The bracket for the screw-in towing eye is
behind the radiator trim.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle tool
kit (Ypage 245).
XPull out cover :.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the stop.
Removing the towing eye
XLoosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
XFully reinsert cover :.
XPut the towing eye back into the vehicle tool
kit.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(
Ypage 254).
The automatic transmission automatically shifts
to position jwhen you open the driver's or
front-passenger door or when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order to
ensure that the automatic transmission stays in
position iwhen towing away the vehicle, you
must observe the following points:
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. You
must use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button (
Ypage 106).
XStart the engine and leave it running during
the entire towing procedure.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XMove the transmission to position iwith the
E-SELECT lever.
XCheck the transmission position using the
indicator in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 114).
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 93).
Towing and tow-starting255
Breakdo wn assis tance
Z