suspension MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS FAMILY TOURER 2013 Owners Manual

Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC may detect vehicles that are
crossing your lane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC at, for example, a traffic light with
crossing traffic, could cause your vehicle to
pull away at the wrong time.
Rea
raxle level control
Rear axle level control regulates the vehicle
level at the rear axle. The benefit of this is that
the vehicle level at the rear axle is kept
constant regardless of the load.
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 193). AIRMATIC package
General notes AIRMATIC enables a suspension tuning
setting to be selected and regulates the
damping behavior and level of your vehicle.
The system comprises two components:
These are ADS (Y
page 183) and the level
control (Y page 183).
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
(Y page 193).
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ADS is continuously electronically-controlled.
It adapts the damping characteristics to suit
the current operating conditions. The
damping is controlled for each wheel individually. This improves driving safety and
tire comfort.
This depends on:
R
your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Start the engine.
X Press button :repeatedly until the
desired setting is selected.
You can choose between the following ADS
settings:
R AUTO for normal driving situations;
indicator lamps ;and =are off.
R SPORT for sporty driving; indicator
lamp ;is on.
R COMF for a more comfortable ride;
indicator lamp =is on.
Level control Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Make sure no one is near the wheel housing
or under the vehicle when you lower the
vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs could
become wedged into or under the vehicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate closed.
Lowering is interrupted if a door or the tailgate Driving systems
183Driving and parking
Z

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 Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 24).Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is arisk of accident.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part (designation, manufacturer, model). G
WARNING
Af lat tire severely impairs the driving,
steering and braking characteristics of the
vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Tires without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with aflat tire.
R immediately replace the flat tire with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tires with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and
warning notices on MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Ben zorare not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist
workshop and inquire about:
R
suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for yourv ehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(Y page 339).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar
(Y page 323)
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap (Y page 161)
R in the "Tire pressure" section
R under "Tire pressure" (Y page 316) Operation
Information on driving
If the vehicle is heavily laden, chec kthe tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tires are damaged. If you
suspect that a tire is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to check the wheels and tires for
damage. Hidden tire damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tires
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. 312
OperationWheels and tires

Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
The TWR specifies the maximu
mpermissible
weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow
hitch can support.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle. Changing
awheel Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 299) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a fla ttire. Instructions for
driving with MOExtended tires in the eventof
a flat tire are also provided there.
Vehicle with emergency spare wheel: in
the event of a flat tire, the emergency spare
wheel is mounted as described under
"Mounting a wheel" ( Ypage 335). Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impai rthe driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of
accident. Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting awheel" section
(Y page 335).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3000 to 6000 miles (5000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear requires
this. Do not change the direction of wheel
rotation.
Cleant he contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tire pressure loss
warning system or the tire pressure monitor. Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation. 334
Changing
awheelWheels and tires

Vehicle data
General notes
Please note thatf or the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a result
of:
-Tires
- Load
- Condition of the suspension
- Optional equipment
R the vehicle length specified includes the
front license plate adapter. Dimensions and weights
Model :
Opening
height ;
Max.
Headroom All models
80.5 in -
80.6 in
(2044 mm) -
(2047 mm) 74.7 in -
74.8 in
(1898 mm) -
(1901 mm) All models
Vehicle length
203.3 in (5163 mm)
Wheelbase
126.6 in (3215 mm)
Turning radius
41.3 ft (12.60 m) All models
Ground clearance
5.2 in (131 mm)
Maximum roof
load
220 lb (100 kg)
R3
50
BlueEFFICIENCY Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors
86.0 in (2183 mm)
Vehicle height
65.5 in (1663 mm)
R3
50 BlueTEC Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors
85.9 in (2182 mm)
Vehicle height
65.6 in (1666 mm) Vehicle data
357Technical data Z