2008 Mercedes-benz CL Class Owners Manual

appear in the multifunction display.

왘 Press %. The message “Use Current Pressures As New Reference Values Press "OK" to Confirm Tire Press.” appears in the multifunction display.

컄컄

575

Operation Tires and wheels

컄컄

왘 Press #. The message “Tire Pressure Monitor Reactivated” appears in the multifunction display. After a few minutes driving, the current tire inflation pressure values are ac- cepted as reference values and then monitored.

If you wish to cancel activation: 왘 Press L. or 왘 Press $ to exit menu screen.

i When the wheel positions are changed on the vehicle, it is possible that the air pressure is temporarily displayed for the wrong position. This will be corrected after driving for several minutes, and the air pressure will be shown for the correct position.

576

Potential problems associated with underinflated and overinflated tires

Underinflated tires Underinflated tires can: 앫 cause excessive and uneven tire wear 앫 adversely affect fuel economy 앫 lead to tire failure from being

overheated

앫 adversely affect handling

characteristics

Warning!

Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.

Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.

Overinflated tires Overinflated tires can: 앫 adversely affect handling

characteristics

앫 cause uneven tire wear 앫 be more prone to damage from road

hazards

앫 adversely affect ride comfort 앫 increase stopping distance

Warning!

Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.

Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.

Tire labeling

Besides tire name (sales designation) and manufacturer name, a number of markings can be found on a tire. Following are some explanations for the markings on your vehicle’s tires:

Operation Tires and wheels

1 Uniform Quality Grading Standards

(컄 page 583)

Tire size designation, load and speed rating

2 DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)

(컄 page 581)

3 Maximum tire load (컄 page 582) 4 Maximum tire inflation pressure

(컄 page 583) 5 Manufacturer 6 Tire ply material (컄 page 585) 7 Tire size designation, load and speed

rating (컄 page 577)

8 Load identification (컄 page 581) 9 Tire name

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration. For more information, see “Rims and tires” (컄 page 727).

1 Tire width 2 Aspect ratio in % 3 Radial tire code 4 Rim diameter 5 Tire load rating 6 Tire speed rating

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

577

Operation Tires and wheels

General: Depending on the design standards used, the tire size molded into the sidewall may have no letter or a letter preceding the tire size designation. No letter preceding the size designation (as illustrated above): Passenger car tire based on European design standards. Letter “P” preceding the size designation: Passenger car tire based on U.S. design standards. Letter “LT” preceding the size designation: Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards. Letter “T” preceding the size designation: Temporary spare tires which are high pressure compact spares designed for temporary emergency use only.

578

Rim diameter The rim diameter 4 (컄 page 577) is the diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is indicated in inches (in).

Tire load rating The tire load rating 5 (컄 page 577) is a numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can support. For example, a load rating of 91 corre- sponds to a maximum load of 1356 lbs (615 kg) the tire is designed to support. See also “Maximum tire load” (컄 page 582) where the maximum load as- sociated with the load index is indicated in kilograms and lbs.

Tire width The tire width 1 (컄 page 577) indicates the nominal tire width in mm.

Aspect ratio The aspect ratio 2 (컄 page 577) is the dimensional relationship between tire section height and section width and is expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio is arrived at by dividing section height by section width.

Tire code The tire code 3 (컄 page 577) indicates the tire construction type. The “R” stands for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag- onal or bias ply construction; letter “B” means belted-bias ply construction. At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18). For additional information, see “Tire speed rating” (컄 page 579).

Warning!

The tire load rating must always be at least half of the GAWR (컄 page 586) of your vehicle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the result which may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury to you or others.

Always replace rims and tires with the same designation, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.

For additional information on tire load rating, see “Load identification” (컄 page 581). i Tire load rating 5 (컄 page 577) and tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 577) are also referred to as “service description”.

Tire speed rating The tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 577) indicates the approved maximum speed for the tire.

Warning!

Warning!

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.

Even when permitted by law, never operate a vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed rating of the tires.

Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are rated can lead to sudden tire failure, causing loss of vehicle control and possibly resulting in an accident and/or personal injury and possible death, for you and for others.

Operation Tires and wheels

i Tire load rating 5 (컄 page 577) and tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 577) are also referred to as “service description”.

Summer tires

Index (Y) ZR

Speed rating up to 100 mph (160 km/h) up to 106 mph (170 km/h) up to 112 mph (180 km/h) up to 118 mph (190 km/h) up to 130 mph (210 km/h) up to 149 mph (240 km/h) up to 168 mph (270 km/h) up to 186 mph (300 km/h) above 186 mph (300 km/h) above 149 mph (240 km/h)

579

the speed rating and the speed capabil- ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph (300 km/h).

앫 Any tire with a speed capability above 186 mph (300 km/h) must include a “ZR” in the size designation AND the service description must be placed in parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in parenthesis designates the maximum speed capa- bility of the tire as being above 186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire manufacturer for the actual maximum permissible speed of the tire.

All-season and winter tires

Speed rating Index Q M+S1
up to 100 mph (160 km/h) T M+S1 up to 118 mph (190 km/h) H M+S1 up to 130 mph (210 km/h) V M+S1 up to 149 mph (240 km/h) 1 or M+S.for winter tires

i Not all M+S rated tires provide special win- ter performance. Make sure the tires you use show M+S and the mountain/snow- flake.marking on the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction performance requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers As- sociation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi- cally for use in snow conditions.

Operation Tires and wheels

앫 At the tire manufacturer’s option, any

tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size designation (for exam- ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the maximum speed capability of the tire, the service description for the tire must be referred to. The service description is comprised of the tire load rating 5 (컄 page 577) and the tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 577). If your tire includes “ZR” in the size designation and no service description 5 and 6 (컄 page 577) is given, the tire manufacturer must be consulted for the maximum speed ca- pability. If a service description 5 and 6 (컄 page 577) is given, the speed capa- bility is limited by the speed symbol in the service description. Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y. In this example, “97Y” is the service description. The letter “Y” designates

580

Load identification

1 Load identification

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

In addition to tire load rating, special load identification 1 may be molded into the tire sidewall following the letter designat- ing the tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 577). No specification given: absence of any text (like in above example) indicates a standard load (SL) tire.

XL (Extra Load): designates an extra load (or reinforced) tire. Light Load: designates a light load tire. C, D, E: designates load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure.

DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)

U.S. tire regulations require each new tire manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a TIN into or onto a sidewall of each tire produced. The TIN is a unique identifier which facili- tates efforts by tire manufactures to notify purchasers in recall situations or other safety matters concerning tires and gives purchasers the means to easily identify such tires. The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identification mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code” and “Date of manufacture”.

Operation Tires and wheels

1 DOT 2 Manufacturer’s identification mark 3 Tire size 4 Tire type code (at the option of the tire

manufacturer)

5 Date of manufacture

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

DOT (Department of Transportation) A tire branding symbol 1 (컄 page 581) which denotes the tire meets require- ments of the U.S. Department of Transpor- tation.

581

Operation Tires and wheels

Manufacturer’s identification mark The manufacturer’s identification mark 2 (컄 page 581) denotes the tire manufacturer. New tires have a mark with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym- bols. For more information on retreaded tires (컄 page 561).

Tire size The code 3 (컄 page 581) indicates the tire size.

Tire type code The code 4 (컄 page 581) may, at the option of the manufacturer, be used as a descriptive code for identifying significant characteristics of the tire.

Date of manufacture The date of manufacture 5 (컄 page 581) identifies the week and year of manufac- ture.

582

The first two figures identify the week, starting with “01” to represent the first full week of the calendar year. The second two figures represent the year. For example, “3202” represents the 32nd week of 2002.

Maximum tire load

Warning!

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.

For more information on tire load rating (컄 page 578). For information on calculating total and cargo load capacities (컄 page 566).

1 Maximum tire load rating

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

The maximum tire load is the maximum weight the tires are designed to support.

Maximum tire inflation pressure

Warning!

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (U.S. vehicles)

Operation Tires and wheels

1 Maximum permissible tire inflation

pressure

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

This is the maximum permissible tire inflation pressure for the tire. Always follow the recommended tire inflation pressure (컄 page 569) for proper tire inflation.

Never exceed the max. tire inflation pressure. Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.

Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being over- heated.

Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride com- fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis- tance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road de- bris, potholes etc.

Tire manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three performance factors: treadwear, traction and temperature resistance.

1 Treadwear 2 Traction 3 Temperature resistance

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

583

Operation Tires and wheels

Quality grades can be found, where appli- cable, on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example:

Treadwear Traction Temperature 200

AA

All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.

Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rat- ing based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For ex- ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly

584

from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction The traction grades, from highest to low- est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep- resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor- mance.

Warning!

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature The temperature grades are A (the high- est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis- tance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem- perature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex- cessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to the minimum level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

Warning!

Tire ply material

The temperature grade for this tire is estab- lished for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin- flation, or excessive loading, either sepa- rately or in combination, can cause excessive heat build-up and possible tire failure.

1 Plies in sidewall 2 Plies under tread

i For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.

This marking tells you about the type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.

Operation Tires and wheels

Tire and loading terminology

Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be replaced) of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as factory-installed equipment (whether installed or not).

Air pressure The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or bars.

Aspect ratio Dimensional relationship between tire section height and section width expressed in percentage.

585

Operation Tires and wheels

Bar Another metric unit for air pressure. There are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.

Bead The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.

Cold tire inflation pressure Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with stan- dard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditioning and additional optional equipment, but without passen- gers and cargo.

586

DOT (Department of Transportation) A tire branding symbol which denotes the tire meets requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) The GAWR is the maximum permissible axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on each axle must never exceed the GAWR for the front and rear axle indicated on the certification label located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) The GVW comprises the weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, installed accessories, passengers and cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue load. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR indicated on the certification label located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) This is the maximum permissible vehicle weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of the vehicle including all options, passen- gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue load). It is indicated on certi- fication label located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for air pressure. There are 6.9 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 psi; another metric unit for air pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.

Maximum load rating The maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, total load limit and production options weight.

Maximum tire inflation pressure This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

Normal occupant weight The number of occupants the vehicle is designed to seat, multiplied by 68 kilograms (150 lbs).

Occupant distribution The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at their designated seating positions.

Production options weight The combined weight of those installed regular production options weighing over 5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those standard items which they replace, not previously considered in curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.

PSI (Pounds per square inch) A standard unit of measure for air pressure -> bar, kilopascal (kPa).

Operation Tires and wheels

Recommended tire inflation pressure The recommended tire inflation pressure for normal driving conditions is listed on the Tire and Loading Information placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar and provides best handling, tread life and riding comfort. If so equipped, supplemen- tal information pertaining to special driving situations can be found on the tire inflation pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler flap.

Rim A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads are seated.

Sidewall The portion of a tire between the tread and the bead.

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Operation Tires and wheels

TIN (Tire Identification Number) Unique identifier which facilitates efforts by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers in recall situations or other safety matters concerning tires and gives purchases the means to easily identify such tires. The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica- tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code” and “Date of manufacture”.

Tire load rating Numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can support.

Tire ply composition and material used This indicates the number of plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac- turers also must indicate the ply materials in the tire and sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

588

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards A tire information system that provides consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature and treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using government testing procedures. The ratings are molded into the sidewall of the tire.

Vehicle maximum load on the tire Load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing it by two.

Tire speed rating Part of tire designation; indicates the speed range for which a tire is approved.

Total load limit Rated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s designated seating capacity.

Traction Force exerted by the vehicle on the road via the tires. The amount of grip provided.

Tread The portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road.

Treadwear indicators Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear bars” that show across the tread of a tire when only 1/16 in (1.6 mm) of tread remains.

Rotating tires

Warning!

Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires are of the same dimension.

If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size tires (different tire dimensions front vs. rear), tire rotation is not possible.

Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles with tires of the same dimension all around. If your vehicle is equipped with tires of the same dimension all around, tires can be rotated, observing a front-to-rear rotation pattern that will maintain the intended rotation (spinning) direction of the tire (컄 page 564). In some cases, such as when your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size tires (different tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation is not possible.

If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu- ration, tires can be rotated according to the tire manufacturer’s recommended in- tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty pamphlet located in your vehicle literature portfolio. If none is available, tires should be rotated every 3000 to 6000 miles (5000 to 10000 km), or sooner if neces- sary, according to the degree of tire wear. The same rotation (spinning) direction must be maintained (컄 page 564). Rotate tires before the characteristic tire wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder wear on front tires and tread center wear on rear tires). Thoroughly clean the mounting face of wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side of the wheels/tires, during each rotation. Check for and ensure proper tire inflation pressure.

Operation Tires and wheels

Warning!

Have the tightening torque checked after changing a wheel. Wheels could become loose if not tightened with a torque of 110 lb-ft (150 Nm).

Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.

For information on wheel change, see the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 696).

589

Operation Winter driving

Before the onset of winter, have your vehicle winterized at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. This service includes: 앫 Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze

concentration.

앫 Addition of cleaning concentrate to the water of the windshield and headlamp cleaning system. Add MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB Summerfit” to a premixed windshield washer sol- vent/antifreeze which is formulated for below freezing temperatures (컄 page 739).

앫 Battery test. Battery capacity drops

with decreasing ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps to make sure that the engine can be started, even at low ambient temperatures.

앫 Tire change.

Winter tires

Always use winter tires at temperatures below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires provide special winter performance. Make sure the tires you use show the mountain/snowflake.marking on the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction performance requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can- ada (RAC) and have been designed specif- ically for use in snow conditions. Use of winter tires is the only way to achieve the maximum effectiveness of the ABS, EBP and ESP® in winter operation. For safe handling, make sure that all mounted winter tires are of the same make and have the same tread design.

Warning!

Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no longer suitable for winter operation.

Always observe the speed rating of the winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the maximum speed for which your tires are rated is below the speed rating of your vehicle, you must place a notice to this effect where it will be seen by the driver. Such notices are available from your tire dealer or from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

590

Warning!

If you use your spare tire when winter tires are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that the difference in tire characteristics may very well impair turning stability and that overall driving stability may be reduced. Adapt your driving style accordingly.

Have the spare tire replaced with a winter tire at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Snow chains

! When driving with snow chains, always se- lect the raised level of the level control system ABC (컄 page 461). Other settings may result in damage to your vehicle.

! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear- ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam- age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the use of snow chains is permissible as specified in the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s Manual, see “Rims and tires” (컄 page 727).

Snow chains should only be driven on snow-covered roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on roads without snow. Please observe the following guidelines when using snow chains: 앫 Use of snow chains is not permissible

with all wheel/tire combinations (컄 page 727).

앫 Use snow chains in pairs and rear

wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.

! If snow chains are mounted to the front wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle components. The tires or the vehicle could be damaged as a result. 앫 Only use snow chains that are

approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.

Operation Winter driving

앫 Use of snow chains may be prohibited depending on location. Always check local and state laws before installing snow chains.

앫 Do not use snow chains on the spare

wheel (컄 page 730).

i All models except CL 63 AMG: When driving with snow chains, you may wish to switch off the ESP® (컄 page 72) before setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve the vehicle’s traction.

i CL 63 AMG: Do not switch off the ESP® when driving in snow or with snow chains mounted.

591

Operation Maintenance

We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle serviced by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with the Maintenance Booklet at the times called for by the maintenance service indi- cator.

! Failure to have the vehicle maintained in ac- cordance with the Maintenance Booklet and maintenance service indicator at the designated times/mileage will result in vehicle damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Maintenance service indicator message

The maintenance service indicator mes- sage will notify you when the next mainte- nance service is due. Starting approximately 1 month before the next maintenance service is due, one of the following messages will appear in the multifunction display while you are driving or when you switch on the ignition (example service A): “Next Service A in XXX miles (km)” “Next Service A in XX days” “Service A Due”

The maintenance services will be indicated by showing a service type A through type H in the multifunction display. Types A through H are classified based on estimat- ed time needed to perform the mainte- nance service, ranging from “Service A” (approximately 1 hour) “Service H” (approximately 8 hours)

to

592

Refer to Maintenance Booklet for a listing of maintenance services and intervals they need to be performed at.

i The Maintenance System in your vehicle tracks distance driven and the time elapsed since the last maintenance service and calcu- lates other maintenance service work required.

i The maintenance service indicator message is automatically cleared 앫 after approximately 10 seconds when you switch on the ignition or when reaching the service threshold while driving

앫 after approximately 30 seconds, once the suggested maintenance service term has passed

You can also clear it yourself. 왘 To clear the maintenance service

indicator message: Press L (컄 page 283). The maintenance service indicator message is cleared and the standard display appears in the multifunction display (컄 page 286).

Maintenance service term exceeded If you have exceeded the suggested maintenance service term, you will see the following message in the multifunction display: “Service A Exceeded by XXX miles (km) Service A Exceeded by XX days” In addition, a signal sounds when the message appears. Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the maintenance service indicator following a completed maintenance service.

Operation Maintenance

Calling up the maintenance service indicator display

i The menu overview can be found on (컄 page 284). You can call up the maintenance service in- dicator display at any time to check when the next maintenance service is due. 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 365).

The standard display of the control sys- tem appears (컄 page 286).

왘 Press ( or & on multifunction

steering wheel to select “Service” menu.

왘 Press % or $ to select the main-

tenance service indicator display.

왘 Press #.

The service deadline appears in the multifunction display.

593

Operation Maintenance

i If the battery is disconnected, the days of disconnection will not be included in the count shown by the maintenance service indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance service dead- line, you will need to subtract these days from the days shown in the maintenance service indi- cator message or maintenance service indicator display.

i If the maintenance service indicator was in- advertently reset, have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it. Only reset if the proper maintenance service has been performed. Resetting the system without performing the proper service as called for by the maintenance service indicator will result in engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Resetting the maintenance service indicator

In the event that the maintenance service on your vehicle is not carried out by an au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the maintenance service indicator re- set. The automotive maintenance facility carrying out the maintenance service will find the information for resetting the main- tenance service indicator in the mainte- nance-relevant information for your vehicle. Such information is available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.

594

Operation Vehicle care

While in operation, even while parked, your vehicle is subjected to varying external in- fluences which, if gone unchecked, can attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle underbody and cause lasting damage. Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying climatic conditions, but also by: 앫 Air pollution 앫 Road salt 앫 Tar 앫 Gravel and stone chipping

To avoid paint damage, you should imme- diately remove: 앫 Grease and oil 앫 Fuel 앫 Coolant 앫 Brake fluid 앫 Bird droppings 앫 Insects 앫 Tree resins, etc. Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi- nates the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse influences.

왔 Vehicle care Cleaning and care of vehicle

Regular and proper care will help to main- tain the value of your vehicle. The best way to protect your vehicle from harmful envi- ronmental influences is to wash it and use protective treatments regularly.

Warning!

Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow the instructions on the partic- ular container. Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning the inside.

Never use fluids or solvents that are not de- signed for cleaning your vehicle.

Always lock away cleaning products and keep them out of reach of children.

595

Operation Vehicle care

More frequent washings are necessary to deal with unfavorable conditions: 앫 near the ocean 앫 in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust

emissions)

앫 during winter operation You should check your vehicle from time to time for stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent corrosion. In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas need to be re-undercoated. Your vehicle has been treated at the facto- ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility

596

of incompatibility between materials used in the production process and others ap- plied later. We have selected car-care products and compiled recommendations which are specially matched to our vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology. You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care products at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be removed or repaired with the car-care products recommended here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at an au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of your vehicle and give important “how-to” information as well as references to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care products.

Power washer

! Follow the instructions provided by the pow- er washer manufacturer on maintaining a dis- tance between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power washer. Never use a round nozzle to power-wash tires. The intense jet of water can result in damage to the tire. Always replace a damaged tire. Always keep the jet of water moving across the surface. Do not aim directly at electrical parts, electrical connectors, seals, or other rubber parts.

i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox- imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi- mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.

Tar stains Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become more difficult to remove. A tar remover is recommended.

Operation Vehicle care

Paintwork, painted body components

! Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape or similar materials to painted body components may damage the paintwork.

Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should be applied when water drops on the paint surface do not “bead up”. This should normally be done every 3 to 5 months, de- pending on the climate and washing deter- gent used. Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner should be applied if the paint surface shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of gloss). Do not apply any of these products or wax if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot. 왘 Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up

Stick for quick and provisional repairs of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehicle doors, etc.).

Engine cleaning Prior to cleaning the engine compartment, make sure to protect electrical compo- nents and connectors from contact with water and cleaning agents. Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied to the engine compartment after every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pul- leys should be protected from any wax.

Vehicle washing In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt as soon as possible. When washing the vehicle underbody, do not forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.

i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox- imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi- mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.

Hand-wash Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct sunlight. 왘 Only use a mild car wash detergent,

such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.

왘 Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-

fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the ventilation intake.

왘 Use plenty of water and rinse the sponge and chamois frequently.

왘 Rinse with clean water and thoroughly

dry with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the finish.

! Do not use scouring agents on these parts. Never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle. Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or sponge. Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.

597

Operation Vehicle care

Automatic car wash You can have your car washed in an auto- matic car wash from the start. 왘 To protect the filter system, switch the automatic climate control to air recir- culation mode (컄 page 496).

If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be- fore running it through the automatic car wash.

! Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic touchless car wash which uses caustic spray. Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the paint or ornamental moldings.

! Make sure that the windshield wiper switch is set to 0 (컄 page 400). Otherwise, e.g. the rain sensor could activate and cause the wipers to move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle damage. Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle through an automatic car wash to prevent dam- age to the mirrors.

598

When taking the vehicle through an auto- matic conveyor type car wash, observe the following instructions.

Warning!

When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch on the ignition which could result in unsupervised use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Vehicles with SmartKey: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill and the

ignition switched on shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.

왘 If engaged, manually release the

electronic parking brake (컄 page 413).

왘 Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey in the starter switch.

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 With the ignition switched on shift the

automatic transmission to park position P.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button from the starter switch (컄 page 366).

왘 Insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO

into the starter switch. 왘 Switch on the ignition. 왘 Depress the brake pedal. 왘 Shift the automatic transmission to

neutral position N.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 If engaged, manually release the

electronic parking brake (컄 page 413).

왘 Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in the starter switch.

i After running the vehicle through an auto- matic car wash, wipe any wax off of the wind- shield (컄 page 603). This will prevent smears and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by residual wax on the windshield. When leaving the car wash, make sure that the mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may vibrate.

Ornamental moldings For regular cleaning and care of ornamen- tal moldings, use a damp cloth.

! Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental moldings. Although ornamental moldings may have chrome appearance, they could be made of anodized aluminum that will be damaged when cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use a damp cloth to clean those ornamental moldings. For very dirty ornamental moldings of which you are sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome clean- er. If in doubt whether an ornamental molding is chrome-plated, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Operation Vehicle care

Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers, turn signal lenses 왘 Use a mild car wash detergent, such as

Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.

Cleaning the DISTRONIC Plus*/ PRE-SAFE® Brake* system sensors The sensors are integrated in the front bumpers and cannot be seen from the outside.

! Only use window cleaning solutions that are suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean- ing solutions which are not suitable may damage the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There- fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners that contain solvents. Never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or sponge. Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens surface.

1 Sensor cover 2 Bumper area near sensors 왘 Switch off the ignition (컄 page 365). 왘 Use a mild car wash detergent, such as

Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water and a non-scratching cloth to clean sensor cover 1.

컄컄

599

Operation Vehicle care

컄컄

왘 Clean a wide area of the bumpers

surrounding the sensors 2.

Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors

! To prevent scratches or damage, never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the sensor cover and/or bumper area near sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty sensors and/or bumper with a dry cloth or sponge. 왘 Restart the engine after cleaning sen-

sors.

! Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor covers. Applying strong pressure may damage the sensor covers. Follow the instructions provided by the power washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power washer.

! To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.

1 Parktronic system* sensors in front

bumper

왘 Use a mild car wash detergent, such as

Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham- poo, with plenty of water and a soft, non-scratching cloth to clean sensors 1 on the bumpers.

600

Cleaning the driving systems sensors The sensors are integrated in the front and rear bumpers and cannot be seen from the outside. They work with the following sys- tems: 앫 BAS Plus* 앫 PRE-SAFE® Brake* 앫 Blind Spot Assist* 앫 Park Assist* 앫 Advanced Parking Guidance*

Operation Vehicle care

! To prevent scratches or damage to the sur- face, never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the bumper area near sensors. Do not attempt to wipe a dirty bumper with a dry cloth or sponge.

1 Bumper area near sensors 왘 Switch off the ignition (컄 page 365). 왘 Use a mild car wash detergent, such as

Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham- poo, with plenty of water and a soft, non-scratching cloth to clean the bumper area near sensors.

601

Operation Vehicle care

Cleaning the Rear View Camera* lens

1 Camera lens 왘 Only use clean water and a soft,

non-scratching cloth to clean the cam- era lens 1.

Be careful not to apply wax to the camera lens 1 when waxing the vehicle. If neces- sary, remove the wax using the Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo with plenty of water.

602

! Do not clean the camera and the area around the camera: 앫 with a high-pressure cleaner 앫 with a dry cloth and high pressure 앫 with aggressive cleaning agents You could otherwise damage the camera.

Cleaning the windshield in front of the Night View Assist camera*

Warning!

Please do not forget that your primary re- sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s attention to the road must always be his/her primary focus when driving. For your safety and the safety of others, stop be- fore trying to remove window fogging or cleaning the window in front of the Night View Assist camera.

Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate- ly 14 m) every second.

! Do not clean the lens of the Night View Assist camera. If the camera lens is dirty, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

1 Recessed handles of camera cover 왘 Use recessed handles 1 to swing

camera cover downward.

Operation Vehicle care

Cleaning the windows and the wiper blades

왘 Turn combination switch to wiper

setting u (컄 page 400).

! The windshield wipers must be in a vertical position before folding them away from the wind- shield. They could otherwise damage the hood. Never open the hood when the wiper arms are folded forward. 왘 Make sure the hood is fully closed.

왘 Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

repeatedly until windshield wipers start.

왘 Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button when the wiper arms are in a vertical position.

Placing wiper arms in vertical position Vehicles with SmartKey: 왘 Turn SmartKey in starter switch

Cleaning

Warning!

position 1.

왘 Turn combination switch to wiper

setting u (컄 page 400).

왘 With wiper arm in vertical position, turn

the SmartKey in starter switch to position 0.

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: 왘 Make sure the vehicle’s on-board elec-

tronics have status 1 (컄 page 366).

For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re- move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi- cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the vehicle’s on-board electronics have status 0) before cleaning the windshield and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and cause injury.

왘 Fold the wiper arms forward until they

snap into place.

컄컄

603

2 Camera 왘 Clean inside of windshield in front of camera 2 with a soft, non-scratching cloth.

! If you use a windshield cleaning product, make sure that none of the cleaning product comes into contact with the lens of the Night View Assist camera. 왘 Use recessed handles 1 to swing

camera cover up.

Operation Vehicle care

컄컄

! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They could tear. 왘 Clean the wiper blade inserts with a

clean cloth and detergent solution.

왘 Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-

dow cleaning solution on all outside and inside glass surfaces. An automotive glass cleaner is recom- mended.

! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto the windshield before turning the SmartKey in the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*). Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm back. If released, the force of the impact from the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.

! To clean the window interior, do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con- taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the front, rear or side windows with hard objects such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may damage the windows.

Light alloy wheels If possible, clean wheels once a week. 왘 Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.

! Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.

! The vehicle should not be parked for an extended period of time immediately after it has been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel paint if the car is not driven after cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system should always be warmed-up before it is parked after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry. When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care products, take care not to spray them on the brake disks.

Plastic and rubber parts 왘 Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a washing solution.

왘 Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-

warm solution. The surface may temporarily change color. If this is the case, wait for it to dry.

Warning!

Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays containing solvents to clean the cockpit or the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol- vents will make the surface porous and vehi- cle occupants could suffer serious injuries from plastic parts coming loose in the event of air bag deployment.

604

Operation Vehicle care

Steering wheel 왘 Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor- oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.

Carpets 왘 Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet

and Fabric Care for cleaning the carpets.

Seat belts 왘 Only use clear, lukewarm water and

soap.

! The webbing must not be treated with chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the web- bing at temperatures above 176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.

Warning!

Headliner and shelf below rear window 왘 Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham- poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt.

Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to provide adequate protection.

! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on these parts. Never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface. Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or sponge. Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur- face.

Hard plastic trim items 왘 Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light pressure.

! Never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface. Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or sponge. Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur- face.

605

Operation Vehicle care

Upholstery Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing clothing that have the tendency to give off coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause the upholstery to become permanently dis- colored. By lining the seats with a proper intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will be prevented.

Leather upholstery 왘 Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.

Exercise particular care when cleaning per- forated leather as its underside should not become wet.

Chrome-plated exhaust tip* Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plat- ed exhaust tips will help to maintain their shine and the classy appearance. 왘 Use Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome Polishing Paste each time the vehicle has been washed, especially during the winter.

Warning!

Only use seat covers which have been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model. Using other seat covers may interfere with or prevent the activation of the front side impact air bags or the rear side impact air bags. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.

Wood trims 왘 Dampen cloth using water and use

damp cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.

! Do not use solvents like tar remover or wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as these may be abrasive.

! Do not use alkaline cleaners such as wheel cleaners as they could cause corrosion.

606

Practical hints

What to do if …? Where will I find ...? Unlocking/locking in an emergency Replacing SmartKey batteries Replacing bulbs Replacing wiper blades Flat tire Batteries Jump starting Towing the vehicle Fuses

607

Practical hints What to do if …?

Lamps in instrument cluster

General information: If any of the following lamps in the instru- ment cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-check when switching on the igni- tion, have the respective bulb checked and replaced if necessary.

Problem - The yellow Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator lamp comes on while the engine is run- ning.

608

Possible cause/consequence The ABS has detected a malfunction and has switched off. The BAS, ESP®, EBP and PRE-SAFE® are also switched off (see mes- sages in multifunction display). The brake system is still functioning nor- mally but without the ABS available. If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, other systems such as Parktronic*, DISTRONIC Plus*, navigation system, Park Assist* and the automatic transmission may also be malfunctioning.

Suggested solution 왘 Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering capability.

왘 Read and observe messages in the mul-

tifunction display (컄 page 622).

왘 Have the system checked at an autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Failure to follow these instructions increas- es the risk of an accident.

Problem - The yellow Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator lamp comes on while the engine is run- ning.

Possible cause/consequence The charging voltage has fallen below 10 volts. The ABS has switched off. The battery may not be charged sufficiently.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

The red brake warning lamp comes on while the engine is running. In addi- tion, the yellow ABS mal- function indicator lamp, and the yellow ESP® warning lamp come on and an acoustic warning sounds.

A malfunction in the Electronic Brake Pro- portioning (EBP) was detected. The ABS, BAS, ESP® and PRE-SAFE® are also switched off (see messages in multifunction display). The brake system continues to function normally, but without electronic support.

Practical hints What to do if …?

Suggested solution When the voltage is above this value again, the ABS is operational again and the ABS in- dicator lamp should go out. If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out: 왘 Have the generator (alternator) and the

battery checked.

When the voltage is above this value again, the ABS is operational again. 왘 Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering capability.

왘 Read and observe messages in the mul-

tifunction display (컄 page 622).

왘 Have the system checked at an autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Failure to follow these instructions increas- es the risk of an accident.

609

Practical hints What to do if …?

Problem

The yellow ABS malfunc- tion indicator lamp and the yellow ESP® warning lamp come on while the engine is running and an acoustic warning sounds.

Possible cause/consequence ABS and ESP® are switched off due to a malfunction. The BAS, EBP and PRE-SAFE® are also switched off. The brake system is still functioning nor- mally but without the ABS available.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

The red indicator lamp for the electronic parking brake flashes and/or the yellow warning lamp for the electronic parking brake is on.

The electronic parking brake is malfunction- ing or defective.

Suggested solution 왘 Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing steering capability.

왘 Read and observe messages in the mul-

tifunction display (컄 page 622).

왘 Have the system checked at an autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Failure to follow these instructions increas- es the risk of an accident. 왘 Read and observe messages in the mul-

tifunction display (컄 page 622).

왘 Have the system checked at an autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

610

Practical hints What to do if …?

Possible cause/consequence There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser- voir.

Suggested solution Risk of accident! 왘 Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe loca-

tion or as soon as it is safe to do so. 왘 Engage the electronic parking brake

(컄 page 412).

왘 Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

왘 Do not add brake fluid! This will not

solve the problem.

! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or below, have the brake system checked for brake pad thickness and leaks.

Problem (USA only)

(Canada only)

The red brake warning lamp comes on while the engine is running and an acoustic warning sounds.

Warning!

Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi- nated can result in an accident. Have your brake system checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot en- gine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned.

611

Possible cause/consequence There is a malfunction in: 앫 The fuel management system 앫 The ignition system 앫 The emission control system 앫 Systems which affect emissions Such malfunctions may result in excessive emissions values and may switch the en- gine to Limp-Home Mode (emergency oper- ation).

Suggested solution 왘 Have the vehicle checked as soon as

possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. An on-board diagnostic connector is used by the service station to link the vehicle to the shop diagnostics system. It allows the accurate identification of system malfunctions through the read- out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is lo- cated in the front left area of the footwell.

Practical hints What to do if …?

Problem ± The yellow engine malfunc- tion indicator lamp comes on while driving.

i Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check local require- ments.

612

Problem ± The yellow engine malfunc- tion indicator lamp comes on while driving.

Possible cause/consequence A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaky.

Your fuel tank is empty.

Practical hints What to do if …?

Suggested solution 왘 Check the fuel cap. If it is not closed properly: 왘 Close the fuel cap. If it is closed properly: 왘 Have the fuel system checked by an au-

thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

왘 After refueling, start, turn off, and re- start the engine three or four times in succession.

The Limp-Home Mode is canceled. You do not need to have your vehicle checked.

613

Practical hints What to do if …?

Problem l PRE-SAFE® Brake*: The red dis- tance warning lamp comes on while driving.

l DISTRONIC Plus* or PRE-SAFE® Brake*: The red distance warn- ing lamp comes on while driving and an acoustic warning sounds.

v The yellow ESP® warning lamp

flashes while driving.

614

Possible cause/consequence You are too close to the vehicle in front of you to maintain selected speed.

Suggested solution 왘 Apply the brakes immediately to in-

crease the following distance.

You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle ahead of you. DISTRONIC Plus* or PRE-SAFE® Brake* has recognized a stationary obstacle on your probable line of travel.

The ESP® or electronic traction system has come into operation because of detected traction loss in at least one tire. Cruise control and DISTRONIC Plus* are de- activated.

왘 Apply the brakes immediately.

왘 Apply the brakes immediately. 왘 Carefully observe the traffic situation. You may need to brake or maneuver to avoid hitting an obstacle.

왘 When driving off, apply as little throttle

as possible.

왘 While driving, ease up on the accelera-

tor.

왘 Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-

vailing road and weather conditions.

왘 Do not deactivate the ESP®. Exceptions:

(컄 page 72).

Failure to follow these instructions increas- es the risk of an accident.

Problem v The yellow ESP® warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.

Possible cause/consequence The ESP® is deactivated. Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail- ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

ESP® is switched off due to a malfunction. Risk of accident! Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail- ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

< The red seat belt telltale comes on for a maximum of 6 seconds after starting the engine.

The seat belt telltale reminds you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts before driving off.