The prescribed service interval is based on
normal vehicle use. Service work will need to
be performed more frequently than prescribed
if the vehicle is operated under more arduous
conditions or with higher loads. Such arduous
conditions include:
R regular city driving with frequent intermedi-
ate stops
R driving predominantly short distances
R frequent operation in mountainous terrain or
on poor road surfaces
R leaving the engine idling for long periods on
a frequent basis
In these or similar operating conditions, have
the air filter, engine oil and oil filter, for exam-
ple, replaced more frequently. Under more
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Com-
mercial Van Center.
Hiding service messages Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
X Press the 3 button on the instrument clus-
ter.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
X Press the a or % button on the steer-
ing wheel.
Calling up the service due date Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the but-
tons in the instrument cluster.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Press È to select the service display.
The display shows a possible service mes-
sage.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
Using the steering wheel buttons
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Press = or ; to select the Service
menu.
X Press 9 or : to select the ASSYST
PLUS submenu and press a to confirm.
The display shows the service due date. Battery
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or instal-
ling, requires specialist knowledge and the use
of special tools. Therefore, always have work
on the battery carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. G
WARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can lead, for example, to a short circuit and
thus damage the vehicle electronics. This
can lead to function restrictions applying to
safety-relevant systems, e.g. the lighting
system, the ABS (anti-lock braking system)
or the ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program).
The operating safety of your vehicle may be
restricted.
You could lose control of the vehicle, for
example:
R when braking
R in the event of abrupt steering maneuvers
and/or when the vehicle's speed is not
adapted to the road conditions
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or a similar
incident, contact a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. Do not drive any further.
You should have all work involving the bat-
tery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Further information can be found under "ABS"
(Y page
67) and under "ESP ®
" (Y page 68). G
WARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the crea-
tion of sparks, which could ignite the highly
explosive gases of a battery. There is a risk
of an explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehi-
cle body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The flammable gas mix is produced when the
battery is charged or when the vehicle is jump-
started. 258
Battery
Maintenance and care
Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery are electro statically charged.
An electrostatic charge can build up in the fol-
lowing situations:
R wearing synthetic clothing
R friction between clothing and the seat
R dragging or pushing the battery across car-
pet flooring or any other synthetic materials
R by rubbing the battery with a cloth or towels
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries. Risk of explosion. Explosive oxyhy-
drogen is produced when batteries
are being charged. Only charge
batteries in well-ventilated areas.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when working
on the battery. Avoid creating
sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear acid-proof protective gloves.
If skin or clothes are splashed with
acid, neutralize the splashes imme-
diately with soapy water or an acid
neutralizer, and then clean the
affected areas with water. Consult
a doctor if necessary.
Wear eye protection. When mixing
water and acid, the liquid can
splash into your eyes. Rinse acid
splashes to the eyes immediately
with clean water and contact a
doctor immediately.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual.
H
Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of
them with the household
rubbish. They must be col-
lected separately and dis-
posed of in an environmen- tally responsible recycling
system. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used bat-
teries.
Observe the following notes: R have the batteries recharged more fre-
quently in the following situations:
- if you predominantly drive short distan-
ces.
- if you predominantly drive at low outside
temperatures.
- if you leave the vehicle parked for a
lengthy period.
In order for the batteries to achieve their
maximum possible service life, they must
always be sufficiently charged.
R Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Com-
mercial Van Center if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
R When you park the vehicle, remove the key
if you do not require any electrical consum-
ers. The vehicle will then use very little
energy, thus conserving battery power.
R If your vehicle requires jump-starting, or if
you wish to provide jump-starting assistance
to another vehicle, only use the jump-start-
ing connection point in the engine compart-
ment
(Y page 272).
R Have the battery removed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Installation locations
Your vehicle may be equipped with the follow-
ing three batteries, depending on the equip-
ment level:
R Starter battery in the seat base of the right-
hand front seat
R Auxiliary battery in the seat base of the
right-hand front seat
R Additional battery in the seat base of the
left-hand front seat Battery
259
Maintenance and care Z
!
Do not use the lower sliding door guide
(carriage) as a step. Otherwise, you could
damage the paneling and/or the sliding
door mechanism.
! When cleaning your car, do not use:
R dry, coarse or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces and films with
hard objects, e.g. rings or ice scrapers. Oth-
erwise, you may scratch or damage the sur-
faces and films.
! 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 corrosion 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. H
Environmental note
Only clean your vehicle at specially designed
wash bays. Dispose of empty containers and
used cleaning products in an environmen-
tally responsible manner. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
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 G
WARNING
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.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove any additional antennas. Otherwise,
the exterior mirror, antenna or the vehicle
itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave the
automatic car wash.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and roof are completely
closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0
The vehicle may otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an automatic
car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the windshield.
R on vehicles with rear-end doors, from the
rear view camera lens in the top of the
license plate molding
(Y page 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.
X Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft car sponge.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz approved car shampoo.264
Care
Maintenance and care
X
Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet grilles.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior dam-
age to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. 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-
diately.
! Under no circumstances use power wash-
ers in the vehicle interior. The pressurized
water and associated spray produced by the
power washer could cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle.
! When using high-pressure cleaning equip-
ment, maintain a minimum distance of
approx. 1 ft (30 cm
) between the spray noz-
zle and the vehicle parts. Do not use a
power washer with a round-jet nozzle. You
could damage the vehicle or engine parts.
! Keep the water jet moving constantly
while cleaning. This will avoid causing dam-
age to the vehicle.
Do not point the water jet at:
R door joints
R rear view camera
R air bellows
R brake hoses
R wheel balance weights
R electrical components
R electrical connections R
seals
R drive train, especially not at the inter-
mediate bearing of the propeller shaft
Cleaning the engine !
Water must not enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high pressure
water or steam cleaners, the spray must not
be aimed directly at electrical components
or the terminals of electrical lines.
Preserve the engine after the engine has
been cleaned. Protect the belt drive system
from exposure to the preservative agent.
Also observe the information under "Power
washers"
(Y page 265).
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by inade-
quate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Remove impurities immediately, where pos-
sible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse off
the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin, oils,
fuels and greases by rubbing gently with a
cloth soaked in petroleum ether or lighter
fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the wind-
shield wipers if they start moving while
cleaning the windshield or wiper blades.
There is a risk of injury. Care
265
Maintenance and care
Z
X
Remove foreign objects from the vicinity of
contact surfaces ; and contact pins : of
the sliding door.
X Clean contact surfaces ; and contact
pins : with a mild cleaning agent and a
soft cloth.
Do not oil or grease contact plates ; or
contact pins :.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch H
Environmental note
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in
an environmentally responsible manner.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a
power washer. Do not use solvents.
! Observe the notes on additional care for
the trailer tow hitch (see the manufacturer's
operating instructions).
You can also have the maintenance work on
the ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch car-
ried out by a qualified specialist workshop. Interior
Cleaning the interior !
When using liquids to clean the vehicle
interior, observe the following points:
R Under no circumstances use power wash-
ers.
R Make sure that no fluids enter or remain
in gaps and cavities.
R Ensure sufficient ventilation when clean-
ing.
R Make sure that the vehicle interior is com-
pletely dry after cleaning. Cleaning the display !
For cleaning, do not use any of the follow-
ing:
R alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household clean-
ing agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to irreparable
damage to the display.
X Switch off the display and let it cool down.
X Clean the display surface with a commer-
cially available microfiber cloth and cleaner
for TFT/LCD displays.
X Dry the display surface using a dry micro-
fiber cloth.
Cleaning the plastic trim G
WARNING
Care products and cleaning agents contain-
ing solvents cause surfaces in the cockpit to
become porous. As a result, plastic parts
may come loose in the event of air bag
deployment. There is a risk of injury.
Do not use any care products and cleaning
agents to clean the cockpit.
! Never attach the following to plastic surfa-
ces:
R stickers
R films
R perfume oil container or similar
You could otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent or
sunscreen to come into contact with the
plastic trim. This maintains the high-quality
look of the surfaces.
X Wipe the plastic trim and the cockpit with a
damp, lint-free cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use mild soapy water or care
products and cleaning agents recommended
and approved by Mercedes-Benz. 268
CareMaintenance and care
Cleaning the steering wheel and selec-
tor lever
X
Thoroughly wipe with a damp cloth.
X Vehicles with leather upholstery: after
cleaning, use leather care agents that have
been recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the trim elements !
Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents
such as tar remover, wheel cleaners, pol-
ishes or waxes. There is otherwise a risk of
damaging the surface.
X Wipe the trim elements with a damp, lint-
free cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use care products and
cleaning agents recommended and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the seat covers !
Do not use microfiber cloths to clean gen-
uine leather or artificial leather covers. If
used often, a microfiber cloth can damage
the cover.
! Clean:
R artificial leather covers with a cloth mois-
tened with a solution containing 1% deter-
gent, e.g. dish washing liquid.
R cloth covers with a microfiber cloth mois-
tened with a solution containing 1% deter-
gent, e.g. dish washing liquid. Wipe entire
seat sections carefully to avoid leaving
visible lines. Leave the seat to dry after-
wards. Cleaning results depend on the
type of dirt and how long it has been
there.
R genuine leather covers carefully with a
damp cloth, then wipe the covers down
with a dry cloth. Make sure that the
leather does not become soaked. Other-
wise, the leather could become rough or
cracked. Only use leather care agents
that have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. You can obtain these
from a qualified specialist workshop.
i Please keep in mind that:
R leather covers are a natural product and,
as such, are subject to a natural aging process. Leather may react differently,
e.g. increased wrinkling, to certain envi-
ronmental influences (such as high
humidity or intense heat).
R regular care is essential to make sure that
the appearance and comfort of the covers
are retained over time.
To clean genuine leather covers: X Remove any dust, crumbs etc. If necessary,
carefully vacuum-clean the seat covers.
X Carefully wipe the leather seat covers with a
damp cloth.
X Wipe over again with a dry cloth.
Make sure that the leather does not become
soaked, especially perforated parts.
X Then treat the leather seats with a leather
care foam.
Only use leather care agents that have been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions.
Cleaning the seat belts G
WARNING
Seat belts can become severely weakened if
bleached or dyed. This could cause the seat
belts to tear or fail, for instance, in the event
of an accident. This poses an increased risk
of injury or fatal injury.
Never bleach or dye the seat belts.
! Do not clean the seat belts using chemical
cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat belts
by heating at temperatures above
176 ‡
(80 †) or in direct sunlight.
Remove any stains or dirt immediately. This
will avoid residue or damage. X Use clean, lukewarm water and soap solu-
tion.
Cleaning the headliner and carpets X
Headliner: if it is very dirty, use a soft brush
or dry shampoo.
X Carpets: use the carpet and textile cleaning
agents recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Care
269
Maintenance and care Z
X
Unscrew the towing eye.
X Insert cover : with the lug at the top and
press it in at the bottom until it engages.
X Stow the towing eye and the screwdriver
with the vehicle tool kit (Y page
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
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear
axle raised. Otherwise, ESP ®
may intervene
and damage the brake system.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page
101).
X Turn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
X Release the parking brake.
X If necessary, turn the key in the ignition lock
to position g and remove the key from the
ignition lock.
X Take the key with you when leaving the vehi-
cle.
X Do 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
(Y page 274). Towing the vehicle with both axles
on the ground
Important safety notes G
WARNING
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
(Y page 274).
Towing vehicles with automatic trans-
mission X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
i.
X Leave the key in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page
101).
X Release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Do 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 possible. If the tractive power is
too high, the vehicles could be damaged.
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. 276
Tow-starting and towing away
Breakdown assistance
R
Break in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first
65 miles (100 km).
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces the
traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear. This also applies to
the spare wheel. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Only use wheels with tire sizes approved for
Mercedes-Benz.
Prior to the onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are stowed in the vehicle
(Y page
281). Snow chains cannot be moun-
ted on all wheel/tire combinations. Observe
the restrictions on the use of snow chains
under "Wheel/tire combinations"
(Y page 302).
Also observe the notes in the "Changing a
wheel" section ( Y page 297).Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡
(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehi-
cle to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very
cold temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the
type of tire can vary between the spare
wheel and the wheel to be replaced. When
the spare wheel is mounted, driving charac-
teristics may be severely affected. There is a
risk of an accident. In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never mount more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
R only use a spare wheel that differs from
the wheel to be replaced for a short time.
R have a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type. G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in
(4 mm) are not suitable for use in win-
ter and do not provide sufficient traction.
There is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ã
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
Use winter tires or all-season tires at tempera-
tures below 45 ‡ (+7 †). Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the i snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking provide
the best possible grip in wintry road condi-
tions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function opti-
mally in winter. These tires have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
If you mount M+S tires that have a lower maxi-
mum permissible speed than the maximum
design speed of the vehicle, affix a corre-
sponding warning label in the driver's field of
vision. You can obtain this at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Once you have mounted the winter tires:
X Check the tire pressure (Y page
282).
X Restart the tire pressure monitor
(Y page
288).280
Operation in winter
Wheels and tires