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

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

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

Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 208
Emergency lighting ........................119
Manual control ............................... 119
Overview ........................................ 118
Reading lamp ................................. 118
see Interior lighting
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 296
Using ............................................. 305
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 313
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............88
Display message ............................ 236
Locking ............................................ 73
Start/Stop button .......................... 145
Starting the engine ........................147
Unlocking ......................................... 73
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 145
SmartKey ....................................... 145
Kickdown ........................................... 153
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Language (on-board computer) ........ 206
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 58
Level control (display message) ...... 229
License plate lamp Changing bulbs .............................. 124
Display message ............................ 223
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Activating/deactivating the
exterior lighting delayed switch-
off .................................................. 207
Activating/deactivating the
interior lighting delayed switch-off . 208
Automatic headlamp mode ............115
Display message ............................ 222
Driving abroad ............................... 114
Fog lamps ...................................... 116
Hazard warning lamps ...................117
High beam flasher .......................... 117
High-beam headlamps ...................117
Light switch ................................... 114
Low-beam headlamps ....................115
Parking lamps ................................ 114
Rear fog lamp ................................ 116
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 206
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................115
Switching the surround lighting
on/off (on-board computer) ..........207
Turn signals ................................... 117
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 225
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 171
DISTRONIC .................................... 175
Loading guidelines ............................ 248
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 80
Emergency locking ........................... 81
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 80
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 208
Low-beam headlamps Changing bulbs .............................. 121
Display message ............................ 222Index11

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:ABS240;The lamp lights up briefly,
but has no function.=Brakes (USA only)239?ESP ®241ADistance warning signal245On vehicles without
DISTRONIC, the lamp lights
up briefly but has no
function.BBrakes (Canada only)239CTire pressure monitor (USA
only)
245
FunctionPageDTurn signal117EESP ®
OFF241FSeat belt238GDiesel engine: preglow146HSRS243ILow-beam headlamps115JCheck Engine (Canada
only)
244
KCheck Engine (USA only)244LHigh-beam headlamps117MReserve fuel24430Instrument clusterAt a glance

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).
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations.
Information about driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border again.
Light switch
Operation1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3$Lights off/daytime running lamps4ÃAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting6 LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps7RVehicles without front fog lamps:
rear fog lamp7 NVehicles with front fog lamps: front
fog lamp8 RVehicles with front fog lamps: rear
fog lamp
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch ( Y page 117).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
114Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press
the light switch in to the stop.
Low-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.XTo switch off the low-beam
headlamps: turn the light switch to $.
Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps in Canada
The "daytime running lamps" function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch and the L indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster light up.
If the light switch is set to $ or à , you
cannot activate the high-beam headlamps.
Turn the light switch to L when driving at
night. You can switch on the high-beam
headlamps in this position.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a driving position to N or P, the low-beam
headlamps go out after three minutes.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you turn the light switch
to T , the parking lamps and the low-beam
headlamps are switched on.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.XTo activate the daytime running
lamps: activate the daytime running lamps
function in the on-board computer
( Y page 206).XTurn the light switch to $ or à .
With the engine running: the low-beam
headlamps are switched on. The T
indicator lamp on the light switch and the
L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster light up.
It is only possible to activate the high-beam
headlamps if the brightness of the ambient
light is at a low level.
However, the high-beam flasher can always
be used.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to T or L , the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode
XTo switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
running lamps 10
or the low-beam
headlamps are switched on or off
automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the L indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.GWARNING
If the light switch is set to Ã, the low-beam
headlamps will not come on automatically if
it is foggy. This could endanger you and
10 Only if daytime running lamps have been activated via the on-board computer.Exterior lighting115Lights and windshield wipersZ

XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
light switch in as far as it will go.
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
light switch in as far as it will go.
The yellow R indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated ten times while the lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 124). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0.
Combination switch
Turn signals
:High-beam headlamps;Right turn signal=High-beam flasher?Left turn signalXTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.High-beam headlampsXTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.XTo switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher
XTo switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.XPull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =.
Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed down severely from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes
to a halt.
Exterior lighting117Lights and windshield wipersZ

GDANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change Xenon bulbs yourself, but have
them replaced 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 an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y page 120). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.GWARNING
Bulbs and lamps can be very hot. You should
therefore allow them to cool down before you
change them. Otherwise, you could be burned
if you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could damage the bulbs, for
example, and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and can
explode when you change them, particularly
if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend.
Halogen headlamps
:High-beam headlamp: H7 55 W;Parking lamp/standing lamp: W 5 W BV=Turn signal lamp: WY 5 W?Low-beam headlamp: H7 55 WASide marker lamp: WY 5 W120Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers

Bi-Xenon headlamps
:Side marker lamp: WY 5 W;Turn signal lamp: WY 5 W=Parking lamp/standing lamp: W 5 W BV
Tail lamp
:Backup lamp: W 16 W
License plate lamp
:License plate lamp: C 5 WChanging the front bulbs
Removing and installing the cover in the
front wheel arch
You must remove the cover from the front
wheel housing before you can change the
front bulbs.
XTo remove: switch off the lights.XTurn the front wheels inwards.XTurn rotary catch : 90° counter-
clockwise.XPull away the cover and lift it off.XTo install: re-insert the cover.XTurn rotary catch : 90° clockwise.
Low-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps)
XRemove the cover in the front wheel arch
( Y page 121).XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.Replacing bulbs121Lights and windshield wipersZ

XPress the W or X button to select
km or miles as the unit of measurement for
distance.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the language
The Language: function allows you to select
the language for the instrument cluster.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress the & button to select submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument cluster submenu.XPress & to select Language .XPress the W or X button to select the
desired language.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the status line display
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress the & button to select submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument cluster submenu.XPress & to select Status line
display .XPress W or X to select the display in
the status line: speed ( Speed) or outside
temperature ( Outside temp. ).
The selected display now appears
constantly in the lower multifunction
display. When you scroll through the
Standard display menu (Y page 202), you
will see the display you have not selected.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Time/date
This submenu is only available on vehicles
with no navigation module. To set the time
and the date for vehicles with a navigation
module, see the separate operating
instructions.
In the Time/date submenu, you can set the
time and date.XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings... menu.XPress the & button to select submenus.XPress the W or X button to select the
Time/date submenu.XTo set the time: press & to select
Clock Set Hour or Clock Set
Minute(s) .
or
XTo set the date: press & to select
Date Set Day , Date Set Month or Date
Set Year .XPress W or X to set a value.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Lights
Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Daytime Running
Lights function and the light switch is in the
$ or à position, the daytime running
lamps are automatically switched on when
the engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the low-beam headlamps
R the parking lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamps
On vehicles with daytime running lamps, the
factory setting is On
XSwitch off the engine.XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress the & button to select submenus.206Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays