Online Owner's Manual [In depth | Controls

Date of printing:

05/16/2012

Online Owner's Manual [In depth | Controls | Driving and parking]

Owner's Manual version: H 09/10

Note: The online Owner's Manual is the latest version available. Deviations between this manual and items specific to your vehicle may occur since Mercedes-Benz constantly adapts its vehicles to the latest technology and modifies design and equipment. Please note that this online Owner's Manual does not under any circumstances replace the printed Owner's Manual which is supplied with the vehicle.

Driving and parking

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Contents

Preparing for a journey

Before pulling away

Pulling away

General driving tips

Stopping the vehicle and switching off the engine

Preparing for a journey

Visual check of the vehicle exterior

In particular, check the following components on the vehicle and trailer:

licence plates, vehicle lighting, turn signals, brake lamps and wiper blades for dirt and damage
tyres and wheels for firm seating, correct tyre pressure and general condition more
that side gates and tailgate are secured properly and that they are not damaged more
that the load compartment is correctly loaded and that the load is secure more
that cables and compressed-air lines are connected correctly more
the trailer tow hitch for play and that it is securely fastened more

The towing device is one of the most important components on the vehicle with regard to road safety. The separate instructions issued by the manufacturer pertaining to operation, care and maintenance should be observed.

You will find further information in the "Operation" section more.

Rectify any noticeable defects before commencing the journey.

Checks in the vehicle

Emergency equipment/first-aid kit

The equipment for first aid and breakdown assistance is located in the stowage compartment in the co-driver's door and behind the driver's seat more.

Check the equipment to make sure that it is accessible, complete and ready for use.

Vehicle lighting

Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.

Check with the help of another person that the lights are clean and working correctly, including turn signals and brake lamps.

Replace defective bulbs more.

Fuel and AdBlue® supply

Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.

Check the fuel gauge more.

On vehicles with BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment, check the AdBlue® gauge more.

If necessary, refuel the vehicle.

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Before pulling away

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WARNING

Movement of the pedals should never be restricted. Otherwise, this will jeopardise the operational and road safety of the vehicle.

Objects in the footwell could get caught between the pedals if you accelerate or brake suddenly. You may no longer be able to brake, declutch or accelerate. You could then cause an accident, thereby endangering yourself and others.

When using floormats or carpets, make sure that they are fitted securely, that they cannot slip and that there is sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not place several floormats on top of one another.
Do not place any objects in the driver's footwell.
Any loose objects must be stowed away securely so that they are prevented from moving into the driver's footwell while driving.

WARNING

If they are not properly closed, the doors could open while the vehicle is in motion. This may, for example, cause you to lose your load and injure passengers or endanger other road users.

For this reason, please make sure that all the doors are properly closed and can be locked before starting your journey.

Starting the engine

WARNING

Never leave the engine running in enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide. Inhaling exhaust fumes constitutes a health hazard and could lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

Before starting the engine, make sure that:

the power supply is switched on for vehicles with a battery isolating switch more.
all the doors are closed and can be locked.
all the vehicle occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly.
the parking brake is applied.

Manual transmission

The vehicle is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.

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Manual transmission gearshift pattern

-	Forward gears

Reverse gear

The gearshift pattern is shown on the gear lever.

Before starting the engine, make sure that the transmission is in neutral.

Automatic transmission

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You must observe the separate operating instructions for the automatic transmission.

Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the automatic transmission.

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Automatic transmission gearshift pattern

Park position

Reverse gear

Neutral

Forward gears 1 - 5/drive position

Forward gears 1 - 3/shift range 3

Forward gears 1 - 2/shift range 2

1st forward gear/shift range 1

Before starting the engine, make sure that the selector lever is in position P.

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You can also start the engine in neutral N.

The automatic transmission has a selector lever lock. You can only shift the selector lever from position P to position N when you depress the brake pedal.

You can find further information in the separate operating instructions issued for the automatic transmission.

Starting the engine

On vehicles with an EMERGENCY-OFF switch, switch battery voltage to the ignition lock more.

Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.

The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up on vehicles with a flame-start system.

Make sure that the power take-off is switched off more.

The indicator lamp in the instrument panel is not lit.

Do not depress the accelerator pedal when starting the engine.

If the indicator lamp goes out, turn the key to position 3 in the ignition lock and release it as soon as the engine is running.

You can start the engine without the flame-start system cold-start aid if the engine is warm.

The engine idling speed is controlled automatically.

If the engine does not start:

Interrupt the starting procedure after no more than 20 seconds and turn the key back to the stop.

Repeat the starting procedure after approximately one minute. After three starting attempts, wait approximately three minutes before trying again.

Safety inspection

Carry out the following checks before starting a journey:

steering play
reservoir pressure in the compressed-air brake system
tachograph

You can find information about the tachograph function check in the separate manufacturer's operating instructions.

Steering play

WARNING

If the steering play is too great, the vehicle may no longer be able to keep to a straight course. You will have to correct the direction of travel more often. This jeopardises the operating and road safety of the vehicle.

Have the steering checked and repaired as soon as possible at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. All work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

Turn the front wheels to the straight-ahead position while the engine is running.

Turn the steering wheel alternately to the left and to the right.

The front wheels must move when the steering wheel is moved a maximum of 30 mm (measured at the steering wheel rim). If this is not the case, have the steering and steering linkage checked immediately.

Reservoir pressure in the compressed-air brake system

There must be a compressed-air reservoir pressure of at least 10 bar in both brake circuits. A reservoir pressure of at least 8.5 bar is sufficient only for vehicles without BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment but with air suspension or with trailer coupling more.

WARNING

A leaking compressed-air brake system jeopardises the operating and road safety of the vehicle. If there is insufficient reservoir pressure in the compressed-air brake system, you will not be able to brake the vehicle. You could thereby cause an accident and endanger yourself and others.

Do not set the vehicle in motion until the reservoir pressures have been reached and the brake pressure warning lamp goes out.

Do not pull away, or if the vehicle is already in motion, stop as soon as possible, paying attention to road and traffic conditions if:

the reservoir pressure in brake circuits 1 or 2 is below 6.5 bar (the brake pressure warning lamp between the brake circuit reservoir pressure displays is on)
the reservoir pressure in the auxiliary consumer circuit (spring-loaded parking brake) is too low (the indicator lamp on the instrument panel lights up).
on vehicles with air suspension, the chassis is not in the normal position (travel position) (the and indicator lamps on the instrument panel light up)

Have the brake system checked and repaired at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. All work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

The reservoir pressure in the auxiliary consumer circuit is only pressurised after brake circuits 1 and 2 have been filled.

Check the compressed-air brake system for leaks more.

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Pulling away

WARNING

Defects in the brake system could cause an accident, endangering you and others.

Check the brake system before driving on public roads by carrying out a test of brake operating safety. Should the braking performance be impaired, switch off the engine and have the brake system checked and repaired at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools for the work required.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. All work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

WARNING

Do not shift down unless the speed is within the permissible range of the gear you wish to change to.

Do not shift down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an accident.

When pulling away on a slippery surface, do not allow the drive wheels to spin if possible. You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.

Do not pull away as soon as the engine starts. Let the engine run in neutral for a short time after starting, until there is sufficient engine oil pressure. Do not drive at high engine speeds when the engine is cold.

This will prevent excessive wear and possible engine failure.

Environmental note

Do not warm up the engine when the vehicle is stationary.

For vehicles with automatic transmission, you must observe the separate automatic transmission operating instructions,

Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the automatic transmission.

You can find further information in the separate operating instructions issued for the automatic transmission.

Engage gear or select shift range.

The automatic transmission has a selector lever lock. You can only shift the selector lever to the desired position when you depress the brake pedal.

You can find further information in the separate operating instructions issued for the automatic transmission.

Release the parking brake more and pull away.

Only engage reverse gear with the engine at idling speed and the vehicle stationary. You could otherwise damage the manual transmission.

Test the brakes (service and parking brake) on dry, high-grip road surfaces.

Do not change gear based on the sound of the engine. The engine speed should always be within the green area of the rev counter.

Warm up the engine quickly by driving at moderate engine speeds (in the green zone of the rev counter).

Only after the engine has reached its operating temperature (70 °C to 95 °C) can you, if required, use the full engine power output.

On vehicles with manual transmission, change gear in good time. You must make sure that the engine speed does not reach the red area of the rev counter. There is otherwise a risk of engine damage.

With a 6-speed manual transmission, when shifting between 5th and 6th gear, you must press the shift lever to the right. You could otherwise shift unintentionally into 3rd or 4th gear and damage the manual transmission.

If you shift down at too high a speed (transmission braking), this can cause the engine to overrev, leading to engine damage.

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General driving tips

In the "Operation" section, you will find additional driving tips more and information on driving with a trailer more.

Steering

WARNING

Do not switch off the engine while the vehicle is in motion.

There is no power assistance for the steering or the service brake when the engine is not running.

Steering and braking require significantly more effort and you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a result.

Do not hold the steering wheel at full steering angle for a long time, e.g. when turning or manoeuvring.

The hydraulic pump could be damaged if the hydraulic fluid temperature increases.

Overrun cut-off

When you take your foot off the accelerator pedal completely, the fuel supply is cut off in overrun mode.

Driving in wet conditions

WARNING

There is a danger of aquaplaning occurring, even if you are driving slowly and your tyres have sufficient tread depth, depending on the depth of water on the road.

For this reason, avoid tyre ruts and brake carefully.

Driving on flooded roads

If you drive on a stretch of road on which water has collected, do not drive any faster than walking pace. Please note that the water level must not reach above the lower edge of the front bumper.

Note that vehicles in front or oncoming vehicles create waves. This could mean that the maximum permitted water depth is exceeded.

You must observe these notes. Otherwise, damage may occur to the engine, electrics or transmission.

Driving in winter

Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads in winter. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking manoeuvres.

WARNING

Do not shift down unless the speed is within the permissible range of the gear you wish to change to.

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed:

depress the clutch pedal on vehicles with manual transmission.
shift to neutral position N on vehicles with automatic transmission.
try to keep the vehicle under control by using corrective steering

Vehicles with automatic transmission may roll only briefly in the neutral position N. Prolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g. when being towed, will result in transmission damage.

Road salt may adversely affect braking performance. You would then need to brake harder to attain the usual braking force. Apply the brakes regularly when driving for longer periods on gritted or salted roads. This will restore the brakes to their normal level of performance.

When stopping the vehicle after travelling on roads that have been salted, make sure that the brakes are fully functional before proceeding further.

Fit snow chains to the outside rear wheels (driven axle) in good time for driving over snow, slush or ice. Comply with the manufacturer's fitting instructions.

On vehicles with all-wheel drive, the inter-axle lock should also be engaged more.

You will find information about winter tyres and about driving with snow chains in the "Operation" section more.

Tyre grip

Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled at a certain speed on a dry road surface, you must reduce your speed on a wet or icy surface to maintain the same degree of safety.

Pay particular attention to the state of the road surface at temperatures around freezing point. When ice forms on the road (e.g. due to freezing fog), applying the brakes can cause a thin layer of water to form rapidly on the surface of the ice and tyre grip will be greatly reduced. Drive with particular care in such weather conditions.

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Stopping the vehicle and switching off the engine

WARNING

Always switch off the engine and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. The vehicle could otherwise roll away.

On gradients steeper than 15%:

secure an unladen vehicle at the front axle using a wheel chock
additionally secure a laden vehicle at the rear axle, e.g. using a wheel chock

WARNING

Under no circumstances should the exhaust system come into contact with flammable materials such as dry grass or petrol, for example. Do not park the vehicle on dry grassland or harvested grain fields. The hot exhaust system could otherwise ignite the flammable material and set the vehicle on fire.

WARNING

Only remove the key from the ignition lock when the vehicle is stationary, as you cannot steer the vehicle with the key removed.

Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could release the parking brake. This could lead to a serious or fatal accident.

Always remove the key when you have parked the vehicle. This prevents the battery from being discharged.

On vehicles with a battery isolating switch, also switch off the power supply if the vehicle is to be out of use for a longer period of time.

WARNING

You must use the parking lamp to enable your vehicle to be recognised on public roads when it is dark. You can also use the reflective night parking signs in built-up areas.

Observe legal requirements.

Stop the vehicle.

Apply the parking brake.

Shift the manual transmission into neutral or the automatic transmission to position P.

On steep slopes, turn the front wheels towards the kerb.

If the coolant temperature is very high, e.g. after driving on hilly roads, leave the engine running at idle speed for about 2 minutes before turning it off.

This allows the coolant temperature to return to normal.

To switch off the engine: turn the key to position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it.

The immobiliser is activated.

Switch on the side lamps when it is dark.

Secure an empty vehicle against rolling away at the front axle and secure a loaded vehicle at the rear axle, e.g. by using a wheel chock more.

When you switch off the engine, BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment automatically flushes the exhaust system with fresh air. Residues of AdBlue® on the metering unit or the injection nozzle might otherwise impair the function of BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment. Depending on the vehicle's previous operating load, BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment may flush the exhaust system several times.

When BlueTec® exhaust gas aftertreatment cleans the exhaust system, an air valve is activated. You may then hear a hissing sound. This hissing sound does not indicate a leak in the compressed-air system.

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Notes

Date of printing:

05/16/2012

Online Owner's Manual [In depth | Controls | Driving and parking]

Owner's Manual version: H 09/10