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

XMake sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.XTurn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 145) in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0 .
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand
Carefully remove all deposits of road salt as
soon as possible when driving in winter.
Also, clean the insides of the wheels when
washing the underbody of the vehicle.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.XUse a soft car sponge for cleaning.XUse a gentle cleaning agent, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz approved car shampoo.XWash down the vehicle with a gentle water
jet.XDo not point the water jet directly at the air
inlets.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
it thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not allow the cleaning agent to dry on
the paintwork.
Power washers
GWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
Care289Maintenance and careZ

cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care
If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
! Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable
materials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g.
wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs performed
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
290CareMaintenance and care

Cleaning the windowsGWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
XClean the inside and outside of the
windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windshield and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals
and pollen may under certain
circumstances prevent water from draining
away. This can lead to corrosion damage
and damage to electronic components.
Cleaning the wiper blades
GWARNING
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, switch off the windshield wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button repeatedly until all
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster have
gone out. The windshield wipers could
otherwise move and injure you.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
graphite coating could be damaged. This
could cause wiper noise.XFold the wiper arms away from the
windshield.XCarefully clean the wiper blades with a
damp cloth.XFold the windshield wipers back again
before switching on the ignition.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
Cleaning the exterior lighting
XClean the plastic lenses of the exterior
lights with a wet sponge and a mild cleaning
agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or
cleaning cloths.
! Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic light
lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or
cleaning cloths could scratch or damage
the plastic light lenses.
Cleaning the sensors
XClean sensors : of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.Care291Maintenance and careZ

! When cleaning the sensors with a power
washer, maintain a distance between the
vehicle and the nozzle of the power washer
of at least 11.8 in (30 cm). Information
about the correct distance is available from
the equipment manufacturer.
Cleaning the rear view cameraXUse clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
!
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the rear view camera with a power
washer.
Cleaning the exhaust tail pipes
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
tail pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in
winter and after washing.
! Do not clean the exhaust tail pipes with
alkaline-based cleaning agents, such as
wheel cleaner.
XClean the exhaust tail pipes with a chrome
care product tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Interior care
Cleaning the displayXBefore cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.XClean the display surface using a
commercially-available microfiber cloth
and TFT/LCD display cleaner.XDry the display surface using a dry
microfiber cloth.
! For cleaning, do not use any of the
following:
R alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household
cleaning agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to
irreparable damage to the display.
Cleaning the plastic trim
GWARNING
When cleaning the steering wheel boss and
dashboard, do not use cockpit sprays or
cleaning agents containing solvents. Cleaning
agents containing solvents cause the surface
to become porous, and as a result, plastic
parts may break away and be thrown around
the interior when an air bag is deployed, which
may result in severe injuries.
! Do not affix the following to plastic
surfaces:
R stickers
R films
R scented oil bottles or similar items
You can otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent
or sunscreen to come into contact with the
plastic trim. This maintains the high-quality
look of the surfaces.
292CareMaintenance and care

XWipe the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free
cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.XHeavy soiling: use car care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
The surface may change color temporarily.
Wait until the surface is dry again.
Cleaning the steering wheel and gear or
selector lever
XThoroughly wipe with a damp cloth or use
leather care agents that have been
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning genuine wood and trim
elements
XWipe the wooden trim and trim pieces with
a damp, lint-free cloth, e.g. a microfiber
cloth.XHeavy soiling: use car care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
! Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents
such as tar remover, wheel cleaners,
polishes or waxes. There is otherwise a risk
of damaging the surface.
! Do not use chrome polish on trim pieces.
The trim pieces have a chrome look but are
mostly made of anodized aluminum and
can lose their shine if chrome polish is
used. Use a damp, lint-free cloth instead
when cleaning the trim pieces.
If the chrome-plated trim pieces are very
dirty, you can use a chrome polish. If you
are unsure as to whether the trim pieces
are chrome-plated or not, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Cleaning the seat covers
! Do not use microfiber cloths to clean
genuine leather, artificial leather or
Alcantara® covers. If used often, these can
damage the cover.
! Observe the following when cleaning:
R clean genuine leather covers carefully
with a damp cloth and then wipe the
covers down with a dry cloth. Make sure
that the leather does not become
soaked. It may otherwise become rough
and cracked. Only use leather care
agents that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. You can
obtain these from a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
R clean artificial leather covers with a cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1%
detergent (e.g. dish washing liquid).
R clean cloth covers with a microfiber cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1%
detergent (e.g. dish washing liquid). Rub
carefully and always wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
Leave the seat to dry afterwards.
Cleaning results depend on the type of
dirt and how long it has been there.
R clean Alcantara® covers with a damp
cloth. Make sure you wipe entire seat
sections to avoid leaving visible lines.
i Note that regular care is essential to
ensure that the appearance and comfort of
the covers is retained over time.
Cleaning the seat beltsXUse clean, lukewarm water and soap
solution.
! Do not clean the seat belts using chemical
cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat belts
by warming them above 176 ‡ (80 †) or
placing them in direct sunlight.
GWARNING
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.
Care293Maintenance and careZ

Cleaning the headliner and carpetsXRoof lining: use soft brushes or dry
shampoo if it is particularly dirty.XCarpets: use carpet and textile cleaners
that have been approved and
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.294CareMaintenance and care

Useful information ............................296
Where will I find...? ...........................296
Flat tire .............................................. 299
Battery ............................................... 310
Jump-starting .................................... 313
Towing and tow-starting ..................315
Fuses .................................................. 317295Breakdown assistance

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 24).
Where will I find...?
First-aid kit
The first-aid kit can be found under the trunk
floor in the vehicle tool kit stowage tray.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
location of the first-aid kit may differ slightly
from that shown in the example illustration.
XOpen the tailgate.XLift the trunk floor up ( Y page 296).
Example: vehicles with BlueTEC
XRemove first-aid kit :.
i
Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace the
contents if necessary, and replace missing
contents.
Vehicle tool kit
Notes
The vehicle tool kit can be found in the
stowage well under the cargo compartment
floor.
i Vehicles are not equipped with the tools
needed to change a wheel when they leave
the factory, e.g. jack or lug wrench.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Some tools for changing a wheel are
specific to the vehicle. To obtain tools
approved for your vehicle, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Folding the cargo compartment floor up
XPress release handle ; in the direction of
the arrow.XLift cargo compartment floor : up by
release handle ;.XFold out hook = on the underside of the
cargo compartment floor.296Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance

XAttach hook = to upper seal ? in the
cargo compartment.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
XLift the trunk floor up ( Y page 296).:Lug wrench;Towing eye=Alignment bolt?JackAFolding wheel chockBFuse allocation chartCRatchet wrench
Vehicles with a collapsible spare wheel
XLift the trunk floor up ( Y page 296).:Lug wrench;Tire inflation compressor=Instructions on the installation position of
the vehicle tool kit holder?Fuse allocation chartAAlignment boltBFolding wheel chockCTowing eyeDWheel boltsEStowage wellFRatchet wrenchGJack
Collapsible spare wheel
Removing the collapsible spare wheel
The collapsible spare wheel can be found in
the stowage well under the trunk floor.
XLift the trunk floor up ( Y page 296).XRemove the jack from the tool holder
( Y page 296).Where will I find...?297Breakdown assistance

XTurn retaining screw : counter-clockwise
and out of tool holder = and remove it.
i
If retaining screw : does not come out
immediately, turn tool holder = slightly
counter-clockwise.
Retaining screw : can then be unscrewed
with ease.
XTurn tool holder = approximately 180°, so
that the tire inflation compressor points
backwards.XRemove tool holder = from collapsible
spare wheel ;.XRemove collapsible spare wheel ; from
the emergency spare wheel well.
For further information on changing a wheel
and mounting the spare wheel, see
( Y page 299).
Stowing a used collapsible spare wheel
Take the following steps to stow a used
collapsible spare wheel. It will otherwise not
fit in the spare wheel well. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you have this work carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Only place the collapsible spare wheel in
the vehicle when it is dry. Otherwise,
moisture may get into the vehicle.
XUnscrew the valve cap from the valve.XIf possible, unscrew the valve insert from
the valve and release the air.
i Fully deflating the tire can take a few
minutes.
XScrew the valve insert back into the valve.XScrew the valve cap back on.
In the spare wheel well, there are two
guides : to keep the collapsible spare wheel
in place.
XLay collapsible spare wheel ; in the
emergency spare wheel well.
i Make sure that collapsible spare
wheel ; is positioned on guides :
precisely.
XLay the tool holder in collapsible spare
wheel ; so that the electric air pump is
pointing towards the tailgate (Y page 296).XTurn the tool holder approximately 180°,
so that the electric air pump points
forwards.
The tool holder should now be positioned
in accordance with the instructions on the
installation position.XTurn the retainer screw on the collapsible
spare wheel clockwise into the tool holder
as far as it will go.XStow the jack in the vehicle tool kit.298Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance