MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

250 Controls in detail
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Fully opening (Express-open) and
closing (Express-close)
To fully open or close the tilt/sliding
sunroof, move the sunroof switch past
the resistance point in the required
direction1or2 (
page 249) and
release.
The tilt/sliding sunroof opens or closes
completely.
Stopping the power tilt/sliding sunroof
during Express-open
Move the sunroof switch in any
direction.
The movement of the tilt/sliding
sunroof stops.
Synchronizing
The tilt/sliding sunroof must be
synchronized

after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged

after a malfunction

if the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
smoothly
iIf the movement of the tilt/sliding sunroof is
blocked during the closing procedure, the
tilt/sliding sunroof will stop and reopen slightly.
Warning!G
If the tilt/sliding sunroof encounters an
obstruction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you are closing the tilt/sliding
sunroof by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof
switch past the resistance point, or by
pressing and holding button‹on the
SmartKey, by pressing and holding the lock
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*) on the
door handle, the automatic reversal function
will not operate.
The opening/closing procedure of the
tilt/sliding sunroof can be immediately
halted by releasing the switch or, if the
switch was moved past the resistance point
and released, by moving the switch in any
direction.
!If the tilt/sliding sunroof cannot be closed
or synchronized, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
Roadside Assistance (
page 325).

251 Controls in detail
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Switch off the ignition (page 40) and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Switch off the ignition (page 41).
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position 0,
same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch).
The driver’s door then can be
closed again.
Remove the fuse for the tilt/sliding
sunroof from the fuse box
(
page 518).
Reinsert the fuse in the fuse box.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Press and hold the sunroof switch in
direction of arrow3 (
page 249) un-
til the tilt/sliding sunroof is fully raised
at the rear.
Hold the sunroof switch in direction of
arrow3 for approximately 1 second.
Open the tilt/sliding sunroof using the
Express-open feature (
page 250).
If the tilt/sliding sunroof opens com-
pletely, it is synchronized.
If the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
completely:
Repeat the above steps.
iFor information on which fuse box contains
the fuse for the power tilt/sliding sunroof, see
the fuse chart provided with the vehicle tool kit
(
page 469).

252 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Roller sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel
The tilt/sliding panel and the front and
rear roller sunblinds are opened and
closed electrically. The switch for the
tilt/sliding panel and the roller sunblinds is
located on the overhead control panel.
The roller sunblinds only operate with the
tilt/sliding panel closed. The front and rear
roller sunblind cannot be operated individ-
ually.
Roof panel switch
1Open roller sunblinds
2Close roller sunblinds
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
To open or close the roller sunblinds,
move the roof panel switch to the resis-
tance point in the required direction of
arrow1 or2.
Release the roof panel switch when
the roller sunblinds have reached the
desired position.Fully opening the roller sunblinds
(Express-open)
Move the roof panel switch past the re-
sistance point in direction of arrow1
and release.
The roller sunblinds opens completely.
Stopping the roller sunblinds during
Express-operation
Move the roof panel switch in any
direction.Warning!G
When closing the roller sunblinds, make
sure that no one is in danger of being injured
by the closing procedure. The closing of the
roller sunblinds can be immediately halted
by releasing the switch.

253 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Opening and closing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Warning!G
When opening or closing the tilt/sliding
panel, make sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the opening or
closing procedure.
The opening procedure of the tilt/sliding
panel can be immediately halted by releas-
ing the switch or, if the switch was moved
past the resistance point and released, by
moving the switch in any direction.
The closing procedure of the tilt/sliding
panel can be immediately halted by releas-
ing the switch.
The panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel is made out of glass. In the event of
an accident, the glass may shatter. This may
result in an opening in the roof.
In a vehicle rollover, occupants not wearing
their seat belts or not wearing them properly
may be thrown out of the opening. Such an
opening also presents a potential for injury
for occupants wearing their seat belts
properly as entire body parts or portions of
them may protrude from the passenger
compartment.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!To avoid damaging the seals, do not trans-
port any objects with sharp edges which can
stick out of the tilt/sliding panel.
Do not open the tilt/sliding panel if there is
snow or ice on the roof, as this could result in
malfunctions.
!Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the tilt/sliding panel when leaving the
vehicle. If water enters the vehicle interior,
vehicle electronics could be damaged which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iWhen the tilt/sliding panel is open,
resonance noises may result in addition to the
usual wind noises. They are caused by minimal
pressure changes in the passenger compart-
ment. To reduce or eliminate theses noises,
change the position of the tilt/sliding panel or
open a door window slightly.
iYou can also open or close the tilt/sliding
panel using the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO*
function, see “Summer opening feature”
(
page 244) and “Convenience closing
feature” (
page 245).
iThe tilt/sliding panel may also open when
using the air recirculation button: on the
control panel of the climate control
(
page 210) or automatic climate control*
(
page 224).

254 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
The tilt/sliding panel is opened and closed
electrically. The switch for the tilt/sliding
panel is on the overhead control panel.
The tilt/sliding panel only operates with
the roller sunblinds opened.
Roof panel switch
1Push back to slide roof panel open
2Push forward to slide roof panel closed
3Push up to raise roof panel
4Pull down to lower roof panelOpening
Pull and hold the roof panel switch to
resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 254).
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the
desired position.
Closing
Press and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 254).
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the
desired position.Raising
You can raise the tilt/sliding panel at the
rear for better ventilation of the vehicle
interior.
Press and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 (
page 254).
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the
desired position.
Lowering
Pull and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow4 (
page 254)
until the tilt/sliding panel has lowered
and closed completely.

255 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Fully opening (Express-open) the
panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel
Pull the roof panel switch past the
resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 254) and release.
The tilt/sliding panel opens com-
pletely.
Stopping the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel during Express-open
Move the roof panel switch in any
direction.
The tilt/sliding panel will stop in its
current position.Synchronizing the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel
The tilt/sliding panel and its roller
sunblinds must be synchronized

after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged

after a malfunction

if the tilt/sliding panel does not open
smoothly
Switch off the ignition (page 40) and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Switch off the ignition (page 41).
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position 0,
same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch).
The driver’s door then can be
closed again.
Remove the fuse for the tilt/sliding
panel from the fuse box (
page 518).
!Do not attempt to open or close the
tilt/sliding panel before the tilt/sliding panel is
properly synchronized. The tilt/sliding panel
could otherwise lock-up in the open position.
If the tilt/sliding panel cannot be closed or
synchronized, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
Roadside Assistance (
page 325).
iFor information on which fuse box contains
the fuse for the power tilt/sliding panel, see the
fuse chart provided with the vehicle tool kit
(
page 469).

256 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Reinsert the fuse in the fuse box.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Push and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 254)
until the roller sunblinds are fully
closed.
Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 254) for
approximately 1 second.
Pull and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 (
page 254)
until the roller sunblinds are fully
opened.
Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 (
page 254) for
approximately 1 second.
Press and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 (
page 254)
until the tilt/sliding panel is fully raised
at the rear.
Push and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 254)
until the tilt/sliding panel is fully
closed.
Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 254) for
approximately 1 second.
Open the tilt/sliding panel using the
Express-open feature (
page 255).
If the tilt/sliding panel opens
completely, the roof is synchronized.
If the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
completely:
Repeat the above steps.


257 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 257) and
Distronic* (
page 262), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Distance warning function*
(
page 275) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacles or slower moving vehicles
that you are closing in on too quickly.

AIRMATIC* (page 276) adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and controls the vehicle
level.

Parktronic* (page 281) and rear view
camera* (
page 285), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 99).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.

258 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resuming to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control when
the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:

when you brake

when you have set the parking brake

when the automatic transmission is set
to positionP, R, or N

if the ESP® is switched off

if the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses automatically when
the cruise control engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for
the vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedo-
meter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.

259 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2 (
page 258).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
status indicator of the multifunction
display:

USA only:
Cruise XXX Miles

Canada only:
Ñ
XXX Km/h
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 258).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s
braking system. In addition, on longer downhill
grades the automatic transmission will down-
shift automatically.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off
automatically when

you step on the brake pedal

you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control switches off automatically and
an acoustic warning will sound when

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)

the ESP® is in operation

the ESP® is switched off with the ESP®
switch (
page 104)

the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction (
page 435)

you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.