Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off
Important safety notes You can deactivate the intake of fresh air if
unpleasant odors enter the vehicle from out-
side. The air inside the vehicle is then circula-
ted.
When you switch on air-recirculation mode,
the side windows and windows could fog up
more quickly, in particular at low outside tem-
peratures. Only switch on air-recirculation
mode for a short time.
Air-conditioning system or dual-zone
automatic climate control X
Switch on climate control ( Y page 117).
X Press the h button.
If the indicator lamp in the h button
lights up, air-recirculation mode is activated.
Air-recirculation mode switches on automati-
cally: R at high outside temperatures
R while driving in a tunnel (only vehicles with a
navigation system)
The indicator lamp in the h button is then
not lit up. Outside air is added automatically
after about
30 minutes.
Air-recirculation mode is deactivated automati-
cally:
R after approximately five minutes at outside
temperatures below about 45 ‡ (7 †)
R after approximately five minutes when the
cooling with air-dehumidification function is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes at outside
temperatures above about 45 ‡ (7 †) and
when the cooling with air-dehumidification
function is active Convenience opening/pre-entry cli-
mate control
G
WARNING
During convenience opening, body parts
could be drawn in or become trapped
between the side window and the door
frame. There is a risk of injury. Monitor the entire opening procedure when
using convenience opening. When opening,
make sure that nobody touches the side
window. Release the % switch immedi-
ately if somebody becomes trapped, to
interrupt the opening procedure.
X Pre-entry climate control and conveni-
ence opening with the key:
press and hold
the % button on the key.
The side windows open automatically and
the blower of the climate control system is
activated.
X Release the % button.
i At high interior temperatures, the blower is
also switched on when a door is opened.
This means that slightly cooled air enters
the vehicle interior after the engine is star-
ted, to cool the vehicle more rapidly. Switching the residual heat function
on/off
General notes Only vehicles with dual-zone automatic climate
control have the residual heat function.
Once the engine is switched off, it is possible
to make use of the residual heat of the engine
to continue heating or ventilating the front
compartment of the vehicle for approximately
30 minutes. The heating or ventilation time
depends on the set interior temperature.
Switching the function on/off X
Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock or remove it.
X Press the Ì button.
If the residual heat function is activated, the
indicator lamp in the Ì button comes on.
The blower will run at a low speed regard-
less of the airflow setting.
If you activate the residual heat function at
high temperatures, only the auxiliary ventila-
tion will be activated. The blower then runs
at medium speed. Operating the climate control system
123
Climate control Z
Key positions
g
To insert/remove the key, to lock the
steering wheel
1 To unlock the steering wheel, power sup-
ply for some consumers (e.g. the radio)
2 To switch on the ignition, power supply for
all consumers, preglow and drive position
3 To start the engine
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How-
ever, the ignition will not be switched on.
The engine cannot be started. Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior X
In particular, check the following compo-
nents on the vehicle, and on the trailer as
necessary:
R
license plates, vehicle lighting, turn sig-
nals, brake lamps and wiper blades for
dirt and damage
R tires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
R trailer tow hitch for play and security
The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to
road safety. Observe the notes on opera-
tion, care and maintenance of the trailer
tow hitch (see the manufacturer's operat-
ing instructions).
X Rectify any noticeable defects before com-
mencing the journey. Checks in the vehicle Emergency equipment/first-aid kit
X Check the equipment to make sure that it is
accessible, complete and ready for use.
The first aid and breakdown assistance equip-
ment is located:
R in the front door stowage compartments
R in the seat base of the left front seat
R in the rear stowage compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle
(Y page 270)
Vehicle lighting
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Check the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
X Replace defective bulbs (Y page
105). Before driving off
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so
that they do not get into the driver's foot-
well. When using floormats or carpets, make
sure that they are properly secured so that
they do not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do
not place several floormats or carpets on
top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct
usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. Driving
127
Driving and parking Z
Problems with the engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine does not
start.
The starter motor can
be heard. There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X
Turn the key back to position g in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
X Start the engine again.
Please bear in mind that lengthy and frequent starting attempts
will drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start.
The starter motor can
be heard. The reserve
fuel warning lamp is lit
and the fuel gauge is at
0. The fuel tank has been run dry.
X Refuel the vehicle. The engine does not
start.
The starter motor can-
not be heard. The on-board voltage is too low. The battery is too weak or dis-
charged.
X Jump-start the vehicle ( Y page 272).
If the engine cannot be jump-started, the starter motor is faulty.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start.
The starter motor can-
not be heard. The battery is discharged or faulty.
X
Check the battery for damage.
X Charge the battery (Y page
262).The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Unburnt fuel may otherwise get into the catalytic converter and
damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The vehicle can suddenly accelerate if the
engine speed is above the engine idling
speed and you then select transmission position h or k. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
When engaging transmission position
h or
k at a standstill, always keep the brake
pedal depressed firmly and do not depress
the accelerator pedal at the same time. 130
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking
Transmission positions
B Park position
This prevents the vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped. Only shift
the transmission to
j when the
vehicle is stationary.
The automatic transmission shifts
to j automatically in the following
situations:
R if you pull out the key.
R if you open the driver's door
when the vehicle is stationary or
when driving at a very low speed
and the transmission is in posi-
tion h or k.
The parking lock should not be used
as a brake when parking. Always
apply the parking brake as well
once you have parked the vehicle. C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
k
when the vehicle is stationary. A Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels. Releas-
ing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. by
pushing or towing.
If ESP
®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position i if
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads.
When you switch off the engine, the
automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts into neutral i.
! When the engine is switched
off, rolling in idle i can damage
the power transmission and
result in transmission damage. 7 Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear itself. All forward
gears are available.
You can influence gearshifts with
your choice of drive program. You
can also restrict the shift range. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
:
Drive program
; Current transmission position or
current gear in drive program M
= Shift range, if restricted
The transmission positions and current drive
program : are shown at the bottom of the
instrument cluster display. The current trans-
mission position is highlighted.
In drive program M, the transmission position
indicator shows the current gear in position D
( Y page
135).
If you restrict the shift range, the transmission
position indicator shows the current transmis-
sion position plus restricted shift range =,
e.g. D2 ( Y page 133).
The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission posi-
tions you can change using the DIRECT
SELECT lever. Changing gear
The automatic transmission adapts to your
individual driving style by continuously adjust-
ing its shift points. These shift point adjust-
ments take into account the current operating
and driving conditions. If the operating or driv-
ing conditions change, the automatic transmis-
sion reacts by adjusting the gearshift program.
When the automatic transmission is in trans-
mission position h, it shifts the individual
gears automatically.
This depends on the following factors:
R the drive program selected ( Y page 134)
R any restriction in the shift range
(Y page
133)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
You can also change gear manually if you
select drive program M (Y page 135).132
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking
is an increased danger of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again. The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake.
As a rule, you may only apply the parking
brake when the vehicle is stationary.
X To apply the parking brake: depress park-
ing brake pedal ; firmly.
The red F (only USA) or J (only Can-
ada) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up if the engine is running.
X To release the parking brake: depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Pull release handle :.
The parking brake is released abruptly. The
red F (only USA) or J (only Canada)
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out.
Exceptionally, if the service brake fails, the
parking brake can be used to brake the vehicle
in an emergency.
X Emergency braking: pull release handle :
and gradually depress parking brake
pedal ;. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
! If the coolant temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving on hilly roads, leave the engine
running at idle speed for about
two minutes
before turning it off.
This allows the coolant temperature to
return to normal.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position j.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the key to position u in the ignition
lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position k or h, the automatic
transmission shifts to i automatically.
If you then open one of the front doors or
remove the key, the automatic transmission
automatically shifts to j.
If you shift the automatic transmission to
i before switching off the engine, the
automatic transmission remains in i even
if a front door is opened.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away
(Y page 138). Parking
139
Driving and parking Z
Vehicles with halogen headlamps
The headlamps do not need to be switched to
symmetrical low beam. The legal requirements
of countries in which traffic drives on the
opposite side of the road to the country where
the vehicle is registered are met without the
need to convert the headlamps. Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be sub-
ject to certain restrictions or require special
measures to be taken in some countries due
to varying tunnel heights and loading stand-
ards.
You can obtain information on this from any
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van Center. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
This also applies to automatic braking if you
have activated cruise control.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
should change down to shift range 2 or 1 in
good time
(Y page 133).
This should be observed in particular when
driving with a laden vehicle and when towing a
trailer.
You thereby make use of the braking effect of
the engine and do not have to brake as often
to maintain the speed. This relieves the load
on the service brake and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving, the braking system can over-
heat. This increases the stopping distance
and can even cause the braking system to
fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.
Never depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.
Wet road surfaces If you have been driving for a long time in
heavy rain without braking, there may be a
delayed response when you first apply the
brakes. This may also occur after driving
through a car wash or deep water.
You must depress the brake pedal more firmly.
Maintain a longer distance to the vehicle in
front.
While paying attention to the traffic conditions,
you should brake the vehicle firmly after driv-
ing on a wet road surface or through a car
wash. This heats the brake discs, so that they
dry more quickly, which protects them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads When driving on salted roads, salt may start to
build up on the brake disks and brake pads.
This can increase braking distances considera-
bly.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front.
To remove any build-up of salt that may have
formed:
X Apply the brakes at the start of the journey,
occasionally during journey and at the end 142
Driving tips
Driving and parking
of the journey. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Checking the brake pad thickness In addition to monitoring using the brake pad
wear sensor, regularly monitor and check all of
the brake pads by performing a visual inspec-
tion to look for pad material wear.
If you are unable to check the brake wear on
the inside of the wheels, remove the wheels
with the tools provided.
Make sure that the brake pad material thick-
ness never falls below
0.12 in (3 mm). Have
the brake pads checked and replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop, if necessary.
Do not solely rely on the brake pad wear sen-
sor.
It is strongly recommended that you have the
brake pads checked at a qualified specialist
workshop at every service displayed in the
maintenance interval indicator, prior to long
journeys and whenever the wheels are
removed.
New brake discs and brake pads/
linings New brake pads and brake discs only reach
their optimal braking effect after about
60 miles
(100 kilometers). Until then, compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only installing the following brake discs
and brake pads/linings:
R brake discs that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
R brake pads/linings that have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz or are of an equivalent
standard of quality
Other brake discs or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs or brake pads/
linings on an axle at the same time and only
have them replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop. When replacing the brake discs,
always have the brake pads/linings replaced
at the same time. Parking brake G
WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the park-
ing brake, the braking distance is considera-
bly longer and the wheels could lock. There
is an increased danger of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered sur-
faces, road salt and/or dirt may get into the
parking brake. This causes corrosion and a
reduction of braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time. When
doing so, drive for a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of
12 mph (20 km/h
).
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake. Driving in wet conditions
Hydroplaning G
WARNING
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread depth, depending on
the depth of water on the road. There is a
risk of an accident.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as fol-
lows:
R reduce your speed
R avoid tire ruts
R apply the brakes with care Driving tips
143
Driving and parking Z
Storing and maintaining the current
speed
X
Accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed
above 20 mph (30 km/h
).
X Briefly push the cruise control lever up : or
down =.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The current
speed is stored and shown briefly in the dis-
play's text field.
The display also shows the V symbol and
the stored speed:
R in the header on vehicles without steering
wheel buttons (Y page
176)
R in the status area on vehicles with steer-
ing wheel buttons (Y page 183)
Resuming the stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle acceler-
ates or decelerates. If you do not know the
stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic condi-
tions before calling up the stored speed. If
you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ;.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated and resumes the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored.
The stored speed is shown briefly in the dis-
play.
The display also shows the V symbol and
the stored speed:
R in the header on vehicles without steering
wheel buttons (Y page
176)
R in the status area on vehicles with steer-
ing wheel buttons (Y page 183)
i When you pull the cruise control lever
towards you for the first time after starting
the engine, cruise control adopts the cur-
rent speed. Setting the speed It may be a moment before the vehicle starts
to accelerate or brake to the set speed. Take
this delay into account when setting the
speed.
X
Press the cruise control lever up : to
increase the speed or down = to reduce
the speed.
The vehicle will accelerate or decelerate.
The speed is shown in the display.
X Release the cruise control lever once the
desired speed is reached.
The displayed speed is stored.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever as far
as the 1st pressure point up : or down =.
The last speed stored is increased/reduced
in increments of
1 mph (1 km/h).
or X Briefly press the cruise control lever beyond
the pressure point up : or down =.
The last speed stored is increased/reduced
in increments of
5 mph (10 km/h).
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate briefly to overtake, for example, cruise
control resumes the vehicle’s speed to the
last speed stored after you have finished
overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control There are various ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards ?.
or X Apply the brakes.
The last speed set remains stored. The last
speed stored is deleted when you switch off
the engine.
Cruise control is deactivated automatically
when:
R you apply the brakes
R you apply the parking brake and the F
(only USA) or J (only Canada) indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up
R you are driving slower than
20 mph
(30 km/h) 148
Driving systems
Driving and parking