Maintenance
General notes
H
Environmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You
must observe the legal requirements when
disposing 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 environmen-
tally responsible manner. Comply with the
instructions for use of the care products.
Do not run the engine for longer than neces-
sary when the vehicle is stationary.
Before carrying out maintenance measures
and repairs, you must read the following docu-
ments relating to maintenance measures and
repairs:
R relevant sections of the technical documen-
tation such as the Operator's Manual and
workshop information
R legal stipulations such as work safety regu-
lations and accident prevention regulations
While working under the vehicle, you must
secure the vehicle on jack stands with suffi-
cient load capacity.
Never use a vehicle jack instead of stands. The
jack is designed only to raise the vehicle for a
short time when changing a wheel. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work under
the vehicle.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops
(Y page 32).
The scope and regularity of the inspection and
maintenance work primarily depend on the
often diverse operating conditions. Specialist
knowledge beyond the scope of this Opera-
tor's Manual is required when carrying out
testing and maintenance work. This work
should only be carried out by trained staff.
The vehicle Maintenance Booklet describes
the scope and frequency of maintenance work
and contains additional notes on the Limited
Warranty. You will find information about ser- vice products approved by Mercedes-Benz and
capacities under "Service products and capaci-
ties"
(Y page 305)
Maintenance services must be carried out in
accordance with the provisions and recom-
mendations in the Maintenance Booklet. Not
doing so could void the warranty claim and
lead to refusal of goodwill gestures after the
manufacturer has submitted a damage report.
Observe the information under "Mercedes-
Benz genuine parts" (Y page 34). Service interval display
General notes The service interval display informs you of the
next service due date. Information on the type
of service and service intervals can be found in
the Maintenance Booklet.
i The service interval display does not pro-
vide information about the engine oil level.
The service interval display should therefore
not be confused with the engine oil level dis-
play.
For example, the display shows one of the fol-
lowing service messages for a few seconds: R Service A in .. days
R Service A Due or Service A Due
R Serv. A Exceed. by .. Days
Then either the remaining time or distance
until the next service due date is displayed. If
the service due date has been exceeded, the
elapsed time or distance traveled after the
overdue service date is shown. The letter in
the display message indicates which service is
due. A stands for a minor service and B for a
major service.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van Center,
will reset the service interval display after the
service work has been carried out. You can
also obtain further information on mainte-
nance work, for example. Maintenance
257
Maintenance and care Z
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
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
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel against the
direction of rotation. Observe the time restric-
tion on use as well as the speed limitation
specified on the spare wheel. Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the tires
from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Mounting a wheel
Vehicle preparation X
Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic and on a level, firm and non-slip
surface.
X If your vehicle poses a risk to approaching
traffic, switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
X Shift the transmission to position j.
X Switch off the engine.
X Passengers should leave the vehicle. Make
sure that the passengers are not endan-
gered as they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while the wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Place 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
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
Observe the safety notes on parking under
"Driving and parking"
(Y page 138)
X On 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. X
On slight inclines: place chocks or other
suitable objects under the wheels on the
front and rear axles opposite the wheel to
be changed.
X If included in the vehicle equipment, take
the tire-changing tool kit out of the vehicle
tool kit (Y page
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.
X If included in the vehicle equipment, remove
the spare wheel from the spare wheel
bracket
(Y page 303). Observe the safety
notes listed under "Spare wheel"
(Y page 302).
X Carefully remove the hub caps. X
Using 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 G
WARNING
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
jacking point of the vehicle. The base of the
jack must be positioned vertically, directly
under the jacking point of the vehicle. 298
Changing wheels
Wheels and tires
Example: vehicle identification plate (US vehicles)
Example: vehicle identification plate (vehicles for
Canada)
; VIN
= Paint code
i The data shown on the vehicle identifica-
tion plate is sample data. This data differs
for every vehicle and may deviate from what
is shown here. The data valid for your vehi-
cle can be found on the identification plate
of your vehicle. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
VIN in the engine compartment The VIN can be found on the vehicle identifica-
tion plate (Y page
304).
VIN : is also stamped into the longitudinal
member in the engine compartment next to
the fuse box. Engine number
The engine number is stamped on the crank-
case. More information may be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop. Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
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. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
When handling, storing and disposing of any
operating fluids, please observe the relevant
regulations.
Operating fluids include the following:
R Fuels, e.g. gasoline
R Lubricants, e.g. engine oil, transmission oil
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerants
Approved operating fluids comply with the
highest quality standards and are listed in the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating
Fluids. Only use operating fluids approved for
the vehicle. This is an important condition for
the Limited Warranty.
You will recognize the operating fluids
approved by Mercedes-Benz by the following Service products and capacities
305
Technical data Z
The following components of the different
vehicle versions influence fuel consumption:
R tire sizes, tire tread, tire pressure, tire condi-
tion
R transmission ratios for the drive assemblies
R additional equipment (e.g. air-conditioning
system, auxiliary heating system)
For these reasons, the actual consumption fig-
ures for your vehicle may deviate from the
consumption figures determined according to
EU Directive
80/1268/EEC.
Details on fuel consumption can be called up
in the on-board computer:
R on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page 177)
R on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 184) Engine oil
General notes When handling engine oil, observe the impor-
tant safety notes on operating fluids
(Y page
305).
The quality of the engine oil used is of decisive
importance for the engine's functionality and
operating life. Mercedes-Benz continually
approves engine oils based on complex experi-
ments according to the current state of the
art.
Therefore, only Mercedes-Benz approved
engine oils may be used in Mercedes-Benz
engines. Mercedes-Benz recommends having
the oil changed at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Information about engine oils approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be obtained:
R from any Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van
Center
R on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com
by enter-
ing the designation, e.g. 229.5.
Mercedes-Benz approval is indicated on the oil
container by the inscription „MB-Freigabe“ or
„MB Approval“ and the corresponding designa-
tion, e.g. MB-Freigabe or MB Approval 229.5.
Designations of the approved engine oils for
your vehicle MB-Freigabe or MB
Approval
229.5,
229.62 Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
approved multigrade engine oils of the SAE
classes
SAE 0W-30 and SAE 0W-40 or
SAE 5W-30 and SAE 5W-40. These engine oils
ensure optimum lubrication even at very low
outside temperatures (Y page 309).
To achieve the lowest possible fuel consump-
tion, it is recommended to use the engine oil
specifications marked in the table for the low-
est SAE viscosity class. Observe possible
restrictions of the released SAE classifications.
When refilling, we recommend that you only
use engine oil of the same grade (MB-Freigabe
or MB Approvaldesignation) and SAE class as
the oil filled at the last oil change.
i If the engine oils listed in the table are not
available, you may add the following engine
oils until the next oil change:
R MB-Freigabe or MB Approval 229.1, or
ACEA A3
This must only be added once and the
amount must not be greater than 1 qt
(1.0 l).
Subsequently have the engine oil changed
at the earliest possible opportunity.
! Using engine oils of another grade quality
is not permitted.
2 Recommended for the lowest possible fuel consumption (lowest viscosity class in each case taking into
account possible restrictions of the approved SAE classifications). 308
Service products and capacities
Technical data
Capacities
!
Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off.
Oil change including oil filter Engine oil
Approx. 2 US gal
(7.75 l )Additives
!
Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity !
If the SAE class of the engine oil used does
not cover the outside temperature range in
which your vehicle is traveling, you must
change the engine oil in good time, in partic-
ular before the cold season commences.
Using an engine oil that does not have ade-
quate temperature characteristics can lead
to engine damage.
The temperature range information of the
SAE classification always refers to that of
fresh oil. The temperature characteristics of
the engine oil may deteriorate significantly
as a result of aging during vehicle operation,
especially at low outside temperatures.
Therefore, have the engine oil changed
before the cold season commences. Use an
approved engine oil of the specified SAE
class. Engine oil SAE classification
Viscosity indicates the flow characteristics of a
fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity, this
means that it is thick; a low viscosity means
that it is thin. Depending on the respective outside tempera-
tures, select an engine oil according to SAE
classification (viscosity). The viscosity class of
the engine oil can have an influence on the
fuel consumption. The table displays the SAE
classification to be used. The low temperature
characteristics of engine oils can noticeably
deteriorate during operation, e.g. from aging,
soot and fuel accretion. For this reason, regu-
lar oil changes using an approved engine oil
from the suitable SAE classification are
urgently recommended.
Oil change Oil change intervals depend on the vehicle's
operating conditions and the quality of the
engine oil used. The on-board computer auto-
matically shows the date for the next oil
change as an event message in the display.
Mercedes-Benz recommends having the oil
changed at a qualified specialist workshop.
Information about oil consumption Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes a maximum of 1.0 US qt
(1.0 l) of
engine oil over a distance of 620 miles
(1,000 km).
Oil consumption may be higher if:
R The vehicle is new.
R You mainly operate the vehicle under ardu-
ous operating conditions.
R You frequently drive at high engine speeds.
Regular maintenance is one of the precondi-
tions for moderate rates of consumption.
You can only estimate the oil consumption
after you have driven a considerable distance.
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis,
e.g. weekly or each time you refuel
( Y page 252). Service products and capacities
309
Technical data Z
Transmission oil
Automatic transmission Operating fluid: automatic transmission
fluid Product name/number Maintenance
interval Mobil ATF 134 FE
Valvoline ATF Pro 236.15
MB Sheet No. 236.15 —
More information can be obtained at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Rear axle Operating fluid: transmission oil
Product name/number Maintenance
interval Mobilube FE 75W-85
Mobilube FE Plus NG
75W-85
MB Sheet No. 235.7 —
More information can be obtained at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Brake fluid
G
WARNING
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.
When handling, storing and disposing of brake
fluid, please observe the relevant regulations and the important safety notes for service
products (Y page
305).
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air. This reduces its boiling
point.
Have the brake fluid replaced at specified
intervals by a qualified specialist workshop.
i There is usually a notice in the engine
compartment to remind you when the next
brake fluid change is due.
Use only approved brake fluids that comply
with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Ser-
vice Products. Always check for the identifica-
tion DOT 4 plus.
Information about approved brake fluids can
be obtained:
R on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
components in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add
antifreeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not
spilled next to the filler neck. Thoroughly
clean the antifreeze from components
before starting the engine.
! Take care not to spill any coolant on pain-
ted surfaces. You could otherwise damage
the paintwork.
When handling, storing and disposing of cool-
ant and antifreeze, please observe the relevant
regulations and the important safety notes for
operating fluids
(Y page 305).
Coolant additive with corrosion and
antifreeze protection !
Use only approved antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitor that complies with MB Specifica-
tion for Service Products, Sheet Number
325. Using other, non-approved antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitors may cause damage to 310
Service products and capacities
Technical data