2008 Mercedes-Benz R320 R350 V251 Owners Manual

Sommer\ Corporate\ Media\ AG Operator’s Manual R-Class Order No. 6515 1817 13 Part No. 251 584 39 81 Edition A 2008 R-Class 2 5 1 5 8 4 3 9 8 1

R 320 CDI 4MATIC R 350 R 350 4MATIC R 550 4MATIC

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz. Your selection of our product is a demon- stration of your trust in our company name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de- sire to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service. Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef- forts of many skilled engineers and crafts- men. To help assure your driving pleasure, and also the safety of you and your passen- gers, we ask you to make a small invest- ment of time:  Please read this manual carefully, then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for your reference.  Please follow the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation of your Mercedes-Benz.  Please pay attention to the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety of the vehicle operator and oc- cupants. We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents Introduction .......................................... 9 Product information ................................ 9 Operator’s Manual ............................... 10 Service and warranty information .. 10 Important notice for California retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11 Maintenance .................................. 12 Roadside Assistance ...................... 12 Change of address or ownership.... 13 Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada......................... 13 Where to find it .................................... 14 Symbols ............................................... 15 Operating safety .................................. 16 Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16 Problems with your vehicle .................. 17 Reporting safety defects...................... 18 Reporting safety defects ................ 18 Vehicle data recording ......................... 19 Information regarding electronic recording devices ........................... 19 At a glance .......................................... 21 Exterior view......................................... 22 Cockpit ................................................. 24 Instrument cluster ................................ 26 Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30 Center console ..................................... 31 Upper part ...................................... 31 Lower part ...................................... 32 Overhead control panel ........................ 33 Storage compartments ......................... 34 Door control panel................................ 36 Getting started ................................... 37 Unlocking ............................................. 38 Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 38 Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 39 Starter switch positions .................. 39 Adjusting .............................................. 43 Seats .............................................. 43 Steering wheel ................................ 46 Mirrors ............................................ 48 Driving .................................................. 50 Fastening the seat belts ................. 50 Starting the engine ......................... 53 Parking brake ................................. 56 Driving off ....................................... 56 Switching on headlamps ................. 58 Turn signals .................................... 59 Windshield wipers ........................... 59 Rear window wiper/washer ............ 61 Problems while driving .................... 62 Parking and locking .............................. 64 Parking brake ................................. 65 Switching off headlamps................. 65 Turning off the engine..................... 66 Releasing seat belts........................ 67 Locking ........................................... 67

Contents Safety and Security .......................... 69 Occupant safety................................... 70 Air bags .......................................... 72 Occupant Classification System ..... 77 Seat belts ....................................... 82 Active head restraints .................... 86 Rear head restraints ....................... 87 Children in the vehicle .................... 87 Blocking of rear door window operation ........................................ 97 Panic alarm .......................................... 98 Activating ....................................... 98 Deactivating ................................... 98 Driving safety systems ......................... 99 ABS ................................................ 99 BAS .............................................. 101 ESP ® ............................................. 101 EBP............................................... 105 Anti-theft systems.............................. 106 Immobilizer................................... 106 Anti-theft alarm system ................ 106 Controls in detail ............................. 109 Locking and unlocking ....................... 110 SmartKey ..................................... 110 SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 113 Checking the batteries in the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 118 Loss of the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 118 Opening the doors from the inside 118 Tailgate/Power tailgate*.............. 119 Automatic central locking ............ 126 Locking and unlocking from the inside ..................................... 126 Seats ................................................. 128 Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 128 Lumbar support............................ 132 Multicontour seat* ....................... 132 Front seat active head restraints . 133 Rear seats .................................... 133 Seat heating* ............................... 139 Seat ventilation* (Canada only) ... 140 Memory function* ............................. 141 Storing positions into memory ..... 142 Recalling positions from memory. 142 Lighting ............................................. 143 Exterior lamp switch .................... 143 Combination switch ..................... 147 Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* ................................... 148 Hazard warning flasher ................ 150 Interior lighting ............................ 150 Door entry lamps ......................... 153 Cargo compartment lamp ............ 153 Instrument cluster ............................. 154 Adjusting instrument cluster illumination .................................. 154 Resetting trip odometer ............... 155 Tachometer .................................. 155 Outside temperature indicator ..... 155

Contents Control system .................................. 157 Multifunction display .................... 157 Multifunction steering wheel ........ 158 Menus .......................................... 160 Standard display menu ................ 164 AUDIO menu ................................ 165 NAV menu* .................................. 167 AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 168 Distronic* menu........................... 168 Vehicle status message memory menu ............................................ 169 Settings menu .............................. 170 Distance warning function* ......... 185 Trip computer menu..................... 185 TEL menu* ................................... 187 Automatic transmission ..................... 190 Gear selector lever ....................... 190 Shifting procedure ....................... 193 Transmission positions................. 194 Driving tips ................................... 197 Gear ranges ................................. 199 Automatic shift program .............. 200 Steering wheel gearshift control .. 201 Emergency operation (Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 202 Good visibility ..................................... 203 Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 203 Rear view mirrors .......................... 203 Power folding exterior rear view mirrors* ........................................ 204 Sun visors ..................................... 205 Rear door window sunshade* ....... 207 Rear window defroster .................. 207 Climate control ................................... 208 Deactivating the climate control system .......................................... 212 Operating the climate control system in automatic mode............ 212 Setting the temperature................ 213 Adjusting air distribution............... 213 Adjusting air volume ..................... 214 Front defroster .............................. 214 Air recirculation mode .................. 216 Air conditioning............................. 219 Residual heat and ventilation ........ 219 Rear climate control*.................... 220 3-zone automatic climate control* ..... 222 Deactivating the automatic climate control system ................. 226 Operating the automatic climate control system in automatic mode ............................................ 227 Setting the temperature ............... 227 Adjusting air distribution .............. 228 Adjusting air volume ..................... 229 Front defroster ............................. 229 Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 231 Air recirculation mode .................. 231 Air conditioning ............................ 233 Using driver-side settings for all temperature zones........................ 234 Residual heat and ventilation........ 235 Rear automatic climate control (second row) ................................. 236 Rear automatic climate control (second and third row)* ................ 240 Power windows .................................. 241 Door windows ............................... 242 Hinged quarter windows* ............. 243 Synchronizing the door windows .. 244 Summer opening feature .............. 244 Convenience closing feature......... 245

Contents Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 248 Opening and closing ..................... 248 Synchronizing ............................... 250 Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 252 Roller sunblinds for the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel ........................... 252 Opening and closing the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel ........................... 253 Synchronizing the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 255 Driving systems ................................. 257 Cruise control ............................... 257 Distronic* (Canada only) .............. 262 Distance warning function* (Canada only) ............................... 275 AIRMATIC* ................................... 276 Permanent four-wheel drive (4MATIC)* .................................... 281 Parktronic* (Parking assist) ......... 281 Rear view camera* ....................... 285 Loading .............................................. 288 Roof rack*.................................... 288 Loading instructions..................... 289 Cargo tie-down rings .................... 290 Hooks........................................... 291 Expanding cargo compartment .... 292 Cargo compartment cover blind... 299 Cargo net* ................................... 301 Useful features .................................. 304 Storage compartments ................ 304 Parcel nets ................................... 307 Cup holders.................................. 308 Ashtrays ....................................... 311 Cigarette lighter ........................... 313 Power outlets ............................... 314 Rear center console* ................... 315 Heated steering wheel* ............... 318 Telephone* .................................. 319 Tele Aid* ...................................... 322 Garage door opener ..................... 329 Compass ...................................... 334 Floormats ..................................... 335 Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 336 Operation ......................................... 337 The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ........ 338 Driving instructions ........................... 339 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 339 Drinking and driving ..................... 339 Pedals .......................................... 339 Power assistance ......................... 340 Brakes.......................................... 340 Driving off .................................... 342 Parking......................................... 343 Tires ............................................. 343 Hydroplaning................................ 344 Tire traction ................................. 344 Tire speed rating .......................... 345 Winter driving instructions ........... 346 Standing water ............................. 347 Passenger compartment .............. 347 Driving abroad ............................. 348 Control and operation of radio transmitters ................................. 348 Catalytic converter (gasoline engine) .......................... 349

Contents Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) .............................. 349 Emission control .......................... 350 Coolant temperature .................... 350 At the gas station .............................. 352 Refueling ...................................... 352 Check regularly and before a long trip........................................ 354 Engine compartment ......................... 356 Hood ............................................ 356 Engine oil ..................................... 358 Transmission fluid level ................ 360 Coolant level ................................ 360 Windshield/rear window washer system and headlamp cleaning system* ....................................... 362 Tires and wheels ................................ 363 Important guidelines .................... 363 Tire care and maintenance........... 364 Direction of rotation ..................... 365 Loading the vehicle ...................... 366 Recommended tire inflation pressure ....................................... 371 Checking tire inflation pressure ... 373 Tire labeling.................................. 384 Load identification ....................... 388 DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) .............................................. 388 Maximum tire load ........................ 390 Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 390 Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 391 Tire ply material ............................ 393 Tire and loading terminology......... 393 Rotating tires ................................ 396 Winter driving ..................................... 398 Winter tires ................................... 398 Snow chains.................................. 399 Maintenance....................................... 400 Maintenance service indicator message ....................................... 400 Calling up the maintenance service indicator display ............... 402 Resetting the maintenance service indicator ........................... 402 Vehicle care........................................ 403 Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 403 Practical hints .................................. 413 What to do if … ................................... 414 Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 414 Lamp in center console ................ 425 Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display .................... 427 Where will I find ...? ............................ 467 First aid kit.................................... 467 Vehicle tool kit .............................. 467 Spare wheel .................................. 471 Unlocking/locking in an emergency.. 474 Unlocking the vehicle ................... 474 Locking the vehicle ....................... 475 Fuel filler flap ................................ 475 Resetting activated head restraints.... 477 Vehicles without Rear Seat Entertainment Package................. 477 Vehicles with Rear Seat Entertainment Package*............... 478 Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 479 Replacing bulbs .................................. 480 Bulbs............................................. 480 Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 483 Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 487

Contents Replacing wiper blades ...................... 489 Front wiper blades ....................... 489 Rear wiper blade .......................... 490 Flat tire .............................................. 492 Preparing the vehicle.................... 492 Mounting the spare wheel ............ 493 Bleeding the fuel system (diesel engine only) ............................ 502 Battery ............................................... 503 Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and reconnecting the battery.................................... 505 Charging the battery .................... 510 Jump starting ..................................... 511 Towing the vehicle ............................. 513 Installing towing eye bolt.............. 515 Stranded vehicle .......................... 517 Fuses ................................................. 518 Fuse box in engine compartment . 519 Fuse box in cargo compartment... 519 Fuse box in passenger compartment................................ 520 Emergency engine shut-down ...... 520 Technical data ................................. 521 Parts service ...................................... 522 Warranty coverage............................. 523 Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet ..................... 523 Identification labels ........................... 524 Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 526 R 320 CDI 4MATIC ....................... 526 R 350, R 350 4MATIC, R 550 4MATIC .............................. 526 Engine................................................ 527 Rims and tires.................................... 529 Same size tires ............................. 530 Spare wheel ................................. 532 Electrical system ............................... 533 Main Dimensions ............................... 534 Weights.............................................. 535 Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 536 Capacities .................................... 536 Engine oils ................................... 538 Engine oil additives ...................... 538 Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 538 Brake fluid.................................... 539 Premium unleaded gasoline (gasoline engine) .......................... 539 Fuel requirements ........................ 540 Gasoline additives (gasoline engine) .......................... 540 Coolants ...................................... 541 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*......... 544 Index................................................. 545

9 Product information  Introduction Product information Please observe the following in your own best interest: We recommend using Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and special suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in indi- vidual cases an official approval or authori- zation by governmental or other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center where you will receive comprehen- sive information, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.

2008 Mercedes-Benz R320 R350 V251 Owners Manual

You're Reading a Preview

Recently Viewed