MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class 2012 W251 Owner's Manual

R-ClassOperator's Manual

Symbols
Registered trademarks:
R BabySmart™ is a registered trademark of
the Siemens Automotive Corp.
R Bluetooth ®
is a registered trademark of the
Bluetooth SIG Inc.
R DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
R Dolby and MLP are registered trademarks
of Dolby Laboratories.
R ESP ®
and PRE-SAFE ®
are registered
trademarks of Daimler AG.
R HomeLink ®
is a registered trademark of
Prince, a Johnson Controls Company.
R iPod ®
and iTunes ®
are registered
trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the
USA and in other countries.
R Logic 7 ®
is a registered trademark of
Harman International Industries,
Incorporated.
R Microsoft ®
is a registered trademark of the
Microsoft Corporation in the USA and in
other countries.
R SIRIUS and associated brands are
registered trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio
Inc.
R HD Radio and associated brands are
registered trademarks of the iBiquity
Digital Corporation.
R Windows Media ®
is a registered trademark
of the Microsoft Corporation in the USA and
in other countries.
R Gracenote ®
is a registered trademark of
Gracenote, Inc.
R ZagatSurvey ®
and associated brands are
registered trademarks of Zagat.
In this Operator's Manual, you will find the
following symbols:GWARNING
Warning notes draw your attention to hazards
that endanger your health or life, or the health
or life of others.
! These warning notes draw your attention
to hazards that could cause damage to your
vehicle.
i This symbol indicates useful instructions
or further information that could be helpful
to you.XThis symbol designates an
instruction you must follow.XSeveral consecutive symbols
indicate an instruction with several
steps.Y PageThis symbol tells you where you
can find further information on a
topic.YYThis symbol indicates a warning or
an instruction that is continued on
the next page.DisplayThis font indicates a display
message in the multifunction
display/COMAND display.
Parts of the software in the vehicle are
subject to copyright according to ©
2005
The FreeType Project
http://www.freetype.org. All rights
reserved.

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
Therefore, you cannot base any claims on the
illustrations or text content in this Operator's
Manual.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Brief Instructions 1
R Service Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. When you sell the vehicle, always pass
the documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company1 Canada only.2515845582
É2515845582.ËÍ

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 21At a glance ........................................... 27Safety ................................................... 37Opening/closing ................................. 71Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....95Lights and windshield wipers ..........113Climate control ................................. 129Driving and parking ..........................143On-board computer and displays ....197Stowing and features .......................247Maintenance and care ......................281Breakdown assistance .....................295Wheels and tires ............................... 321Technical data ................................... 351
Contents3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 268
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) .... 66
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 214
Function/notes ................................ 65
Important safety notes ....................65
Warning lamp ................................. 240
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 135
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 181
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 358
Adjusting the armrest (2nd row of
seats) .................................................. 102
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ..... 181
Air bags Display message ............................ 220
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 42
Important safety notes ....................40
Safety guidelines ............................. 39
Side impact air bag ..........................42
Window curtain air bag ....................43
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) .............. 228
AIRMATIC (display message) ............ 229
AIRMATIC package ............................ 180
Air pressure see Tire pressure
Air vents
Important safety notes ..................141
Rear ............................................... 142
Setting ........................................... 141
Setting the center air vents ...........141
Setting the side air vents ...............141
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock Braking System
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........69
Ashtray ............................................... 265
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................69
Function ........................................... 69
Switching off the alarm ....................69
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 203
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 225
see Lights
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 115
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............154
Changing gear ............................... 152
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................150
Display message ............................ 234
Driving tips .................................... 153
Emergency running mode ..............156
Kickdown ....................................... 153
Problem (malfunction) ...................156
Program selector button ................153
Pulling away ................................... 147
Shift ranges ................................... 154
Starting the engine ........................146
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......153
Trailer towing ................................. 153
Transmission position display ........151
Transmission positions ..................152
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 1564Index

B
Back support see Lumbar support
Backup lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 123
Display message ............................ 224
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 65
Basic settings see Settings
Battery (key)
Checking .......................................... 76
Battery (SmartKey)
Important safety notes ....................76
Replacing ......................................... 76
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 312
Display message ............................ 227
Important safety notes ..................310
Jump starting ................................. 313
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................210
Display message ............................ 230
Notes/function .............................. 189
Trailer towing ................................. 191
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 161
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 357
Brake Assist System see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 217
Notes ............................................. 359
Brake fluid level ................................ 286
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 223
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 65
BAS .................................................. 65
Brake fluid (notes) .........................359
Display message ............................ 214
Driving tips .................................... 166
Important safety notes ..................166
Maintenance .................................. 167
Parking brake ........................ 164, 168
Warning lamp ................................. 239Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................22
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 294
Car wash ........................................ 288
Display ........................................... 292
Exterior lights ................................ 291
Gear or selector lever ....................293
Matte finish ................................... 290
Notes ............................................. 287
Paint .............................................. 290
Plastic trim .................................... 292
Power washer ................................ 289
Rear view camera .......................... 292
Roof lining ...................................... 294
Seat belt ........................................ 293
Seat cover ..................................... 293
Sensors ......................................... 291
Steering wheel ............................... 293
Tail pipes ....................................... 292
Trim pieces .................................... 293
Washing by hand ........................... 289
Wheels ........................................... 289
Windows ........................................ 291
Wiper blades .................................. 291
Wooden trim .................................. 293
Cargo compartment cover
Extending ....................................... 260
Notes/how to use .........................258
Cargo compartment enlargement
Full ................................................. 253
Important safety notes ..................253
Partial ............................................ 253
Index5

Cargo compartment floor ................. 296
Cargo net Attaching ....................................... 261
Important safety information .........260
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 257
Car wash (care) ................................. 288
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 203
Cell phone see Mobile phone
Center console
2nd row of seats ............................ 251
Lower section .................................. 33
Upper section .................................. 32
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 208
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........72
Changing bulbs
High-beam headlamps ...................122
Important safety notes ..................119
License plate lighting .....................124
Low-beam headlamps ....................121
Overview of bulb types ..................120
Parking lamps ................................ 122
Removing/replacing the cover
(front wheel arch) .......................... 121
Reversing lamps ............................ 123
Side marker lamps .........................123
Standing lamps (front) ...................122
Turn signals (front) ......................... 122
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................63
Rear doors ....................................... 63
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 56
Restraint systems ............................ 56
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX ) child seat
anchors ............................................ 58
Special seat belt retractor ...............58
Top Tether ....................................... 60
Cigarette lighter ................................ 266
Classification system for
occupants (OCS) Faults ............................................... 48
Operation ......................................... 44
System self-test ............................... 47Climate control
Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 132
Controlling automatically ...............136
Cooling with air dehumidification ..135
Defrosting the windshield ..............138
Demisting the windows .................. 139
Dual-zone automatic climate
control ........................................... 131
Important safety notes ..................130
Indicator lamp ................................ 136
Notes on using automatic climate
control ................................... 131, 134
Overview of systems ......................130
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 136
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 139
Rear control panel .........................132
Refrigerant ..................................... 359
Setting the air distribution .............138
Setting the airflow .........................138
Setting the air vents ......................141
Setting the temperature ................137
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 140
Switching on/off ........................... 134
Switching residual heat on/off ......140
Switching the MONO function on/
off .................................................. 138
Switching the rear window
heating on/off ............................... 139
Clock (on-board computer) ............... 206
Cockpit Overview .......................................... 28
see Instrument cluster
Collapsible spare wheel
Inflating ......................................... 307
see Emergency spare wheel
COMAND
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch .......................... 117
Compass Calling up ....................................... 278
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 210
Convenience closing feature .............. 88
Convenience opening feature ............ 876Index

Coolant (engine)Checking the level .........................285
Display message ............................ 225
Notes ............................................. 359
Temperature gauge ........................ 202
Cooling
see Climate control
Crash-responsive emergency
lighting ............................................... 119
Cruise control Cruise control lever .......................171
Deactivating ................................... 172
Display message ............................ 230
Driving system ............................... 170
Function/notes ............................. 170
Important safety notes ..................170
LIM indicator lamp .........................171
Setting a speed .............................. 172
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 171
Cup holder
Center console .............................. 263
Important safety notes ..................262
second row of seats ....................... 263
Second row of seats (armrest) .......264
third row of seats ........................... 264
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 24
Customer Relations Department ....... 24
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Date (on-board computer) ................ 206
Daytime running lamp mode see Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 224
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 206
Switching on/off (switch) ..............115
DEF
Adding ........................................... 161
Display message ............................ 228
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board
computer) ...................................... 207
Interior lighting .............................. 208
Diesel particle filter .......................... 166
Digital speedometer Displaying ...................................... 202
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) ...................................... 205
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 292
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....213
Driving systems ............................. 229
Engine ............................................ 225
General notes ................................ 213
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........213
Key ................................................ 236
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 236
Lights ............................................. 222
Safety systems .............................. 214
Service interval display ..................287
Tires ............................................... 231
Vehicle ........................................... 234
Distance recorder ............................. 202
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 245
Distance warning function
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 210
Notes ............................................... 68
DISTRONIC
Deactivating ................................... 178
Display message ............................ 230
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 178
Driving tips .................................... 179
Important safety notes ..................173
Notes/function .............................. 173
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 177
Warning lamp ................................. 245
Door
Central locking/unlocking (key) ......72
Control panel ................................... 35
Important safety notes ....................79Index7

DoorsAutomatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 208
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 80
Display message ............................ 235
Emergency locking ........................... 81
Emergency unlocking .......................81
Opening (from inside) ......................80
Drinking and driving ......................... 165
Drinks holder see Cup holders
Drive program (automatic) ............... 154
Driver's door see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................287
Symmetrical low beam ..................114
Driving on flooded roads .................. 168
Driving safety systems 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) ...66
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......65
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............65
Distance warning system
(vehicles with DISTRONIC) ...............68
Electronic brake force distribution ...68
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 66
Important safety information ...........64
Overview .......................................... 64
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 189
Cruise control ................................ 170
Display message ............................ 229
DISTRONIC .................................... 173
Level control .................................. 181
PARKTRONIC ................................. 184
Rear axle level control ...................180
Rear view camera .......................... 187
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................153
Brakes ........................................... 166
Break-in period .............................. 144
DISTRONIC .................................... 179
Downhill gradient ........................... 166
Drinking and driving .......................165Driving abroad ............................... 114
Driving on flooded roads ................168
Driving on wet roads ......................168
Exhaust check ............................... 166
Fuel ................................................ 165
General .......................................... 165
Hydroplaning ................................. 168
Icy road surfaces ........................... 170
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 167
Pedals ............................................ 165
Snow chains .......................... 169, 325
Symmetrical low beam ..................114
Towing a trailer .............................. 191
Wet road surface ........................... 167
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 203
E
EASY-ENTRY feature 3rd row of seats ............................. 103
Activating/deactivating .................209
Function/notes ............................. 108
EASY-EXIT feature
3rd row of seats ............................. 103
Crash-responsive ........................... 109
Function/notes ............................. 108
Switching on/off ........................... 209
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 216
Function/notes ................................ 68
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Brake force Distribution
see EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 81
Fuel filler flap ................................. 158
Vehicle ............................................. 81
8Index