MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV 2008 Owners Manual

Steering wheel
88 Steering wheel
Points to remember
Depending on the vehicle equipment, you can
adjust the steering wheel either manually or
electrically*. G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stationary and do not pull away
until the steering wheel adjustment mech-
anism is locked in position. You might oth-
erwise drive without the steering wheel
adjustment mechanism being locked in
position. As a result you could be distracted
from road and traffic conditions by an unex-
pected movement of the steering wheel
and thereby cause an accident.
The steerability of the vehicle is however
not affected.
When you adjust the steering wheel, make
sure that:
R the steering wheel can be reached with
your arms slightly bent
R you can move your legs freely
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly Adjusting the steering wheel man-
ually 1
Release handle
2 Steering column height
3 Steering column fore-and-aft adjustment
X Pull handle 1out completely.
The steering column is unlocked.
X Set the desired steering wheel position.
X Push handle 1in completely until it
engages fully.
The steering wheel is locked in position. Adjusting the steering wheel electri-
cally*
1
Steering column fore-and-aft adjustment
2 Steering column height
X Press the lever in direction of arrow 1or
2 until the steering wheel has moved into
the desired position.
You can find more information in:
R Easy-entry/exit feature (Y page 89)
R Storing settings (Y page 92)Controls
* optional
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Steering wheel
89Steering wheel heating*
1
To switch on the steering-wheel heating
2 To switch off the steering-wheel heating
3 Indicator lamp
X To switch on or off: make sure that the
key is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Turn the lever in direction of arrow 1or
2.
Indicator lamp 3comes on or goes out.
i The steering-wheel heating does not
switch off automatically. Easy-entry/exit feature*
The easy-entry/exit feature makes getting in
and out of your vehicle easier.
The steering wheel swings upwards when
you:
R remove the key from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door when the key is in
the ignition lock or in position 1.
The steering wheel is moved automatically to
the position previously set when the key is
inserted into the ignition lock with the driver's
door closed. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped when you activate the easy-entry/exit
feature.
If there is a risk of becoming trapped, stop
the adjustment procedure. To halt the pro-
cedure:
R press the steering-column adjustment
switch
R press one of the memory function posi-
tion buttons
The steering column stops moving immedi-
ately. Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could open the driver's door
and thereby unintentionally activate the
easy-entry feature and become trapped.
The most recent position of the steering
wheel is stored when you switch off the igni-
tion or when you store a memory position
(Y page 92).
You can activate and deactivate the easy-
entry/exit feature via the on-board computer
(Y page 135). Controls
* optional
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Mirrors
90 Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
X Adjust the rear-view mirror by hand so you
have a good overview of the traffic condi-
tions.
Rear-view mirror (manual anti-dazzle) 1
Anti-dazzle switch
X Anti-dazzle mode: flick anti-dazzle switch
1 forwards or back. Exterior mirrors
G
Risk of accident
The exterior mirrors reduce the size of the
image. Objects are actually closer than
they appear. You could misjudge the dis-
tance from vehicles driving behind and
cause an accident, e.g. when changing
lane. For this reason, make sure of the
actual distance from the vehicle driving
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
The convex exterior mirrors give a larger field
of vision.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior mir-
rors are heated automatically. Adjusting the exterior mirrors 1
Adjustment button
2 Right-hand exterior mirror
3 Left-hand exterior mirror
X Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Press button 2for the right-hand exterior
mirror or button 3for the left-hand exte-
rior mirror.
The indicator lamp in the corresponding
button lights up in red.
The indicator lamp goes out again after
some time. You can only adjust the selec-
ted mirror using adjustment button 1as
long as the indicator lamp is lit.
X Press adjustment button 1up, down, to
the right or to the left until the exterior mir- Controls
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Mirrors
91
ror is set in a way which provides you with
a good overview of traffic conditions.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
electrically* 1
To fold the exterior mirrors in or out
X Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button 1.
Both exterior mirrors fold in or out.
i If you are driving faster than 47 km/h, you
can no longer fold in the exterior mirrors.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are
always folded out fully while the vehicle is
in motion; otherwise, they may vibrate. Resetting the exterior mirrors If the battery has been disconnected or has
become discharged, the exterior mirrors
must be reset. Otherwise, they will not fold in
when you select the function "Fold in mirrors
when locking" in the on-board computer
(Y
page 135).
X Make sure that the key is in position 1in
the ignition lock.
X Briefly press button 1.
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out
automatically* If the "Fold in mirrors when locking" function
is activated in the on-board computer
(Y
page 135):
R The exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the out-
side.
R The exterior mirrors fold out again auto-
matically as soon as you unlock the vehicle
and then open the driver's or front-
passenger door.
i If you have activated this function and fold
in the exterior mirrors using button 1, they
will not be folded out automatically. You can then only fold out the exterior mirrors
using button 1. Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors*
The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror
on the driver's side automatically go into anti-
dazzle mode if the ignition is switched on and
incident light from headlamps strikes the sen-
sor in the rear-view mirror.
The mirrors do not go into anti-dazzle mode if
reverse gear is engaged or the interior lighting
is switched on. G
Risk of accident
If incident light from headlamps cannot
strike the sensor in the rear-view mirror, for
instance if the safety net is fitted, the mir-
ror's automatic anti-dazzle function will not
work.
Incident light could then dazzle you. This
may distract you from the traffic conditions,
and you may thereby cause an accident. In
this case, adjust the rear-view mirror man-
ually. Controls
* optional
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Memory functions*
92 Memory functions*
Storing settings
You can store up to three different settings
using the memory button.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
R position of the seat, backrest and head
restraint
R driver's side: steering-wheel position
R driver's side: position of the exterior mir-
rors on the driver's and front-passenger
sides G
Risk of injury
The memory function can still be used when
the key has been removed. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised
in the vehicle. They could otherwise
become trapped when moving the seat or
the steering wheel. G
Risk of accident
Only use the memory function on the
driver’s side when the vehicle is stationary.
You could otherwise be distracted from the
traffic conditions by the steering wheel and seat moving of their own accord, and cause
an accident.
M
Memory button
1, 2, 3 Storage position switches
X Adjust the seat ( Ypage 77).
X On the driver's side, also adjust the steer-
ing wheel (Y page 88) and the mirrors
(Y page 90).
X Press the Mmemory button.
X Press one of storage position switches 1,
2 or 3within three seconds.
The settings are stored in the selected pre-
set position. A tone sounds when the set-
tings have been completed. Calling up a stored setting
G
Risk of accident
Only use the memory function on the
driver’s side when the vehicle is stationary.
You could otherwise be distracted from the
traffic conditions by the steering wheel and
seat moving of their own accord, and cause
an accident.
X Press and hold the relevant storage posi-
tion switch 1,2or 3until the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are in the stored posi-
tion.
i The setting procedure is interrupted as
soon as you release the storage position
switch. Controls
* optional
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Memory functions*
93Passenger side exterior mirror park-
ing position
To make it easier to park, you can set and
store the front-passenger side exterior mirror
position in such a way that you can see the
rear wheel on that side as soon as you engage
reverse gear.
Adjusting and storing the exterior mir-
ror parking position 1
Adjustment button
2 Exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side
3 Exterior mirror on the driver's side X
Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
that the key is in position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press button 2for the exterior mirror on
the front-passenger side.
X Engage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the preset parking position.
X Use adjustment button 1to adjust the
exterior mirror to a position which allows
you to see the rear wheel and the kerb.
The parking position is stored.
i When you shift the automatic transmis-
sion into another gear, the exterior mirror
on the front-passenger side returns to the
driving position.
Calling up a stored parking position set-
ting X
With the key in position 2in the ignition
lock and with exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side activated, engage reverse
gear.
Exterior mirror on the front-passenger
moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves back to its original position: R
as soon as you exceed a speed of
10 km/h
R about ten seconds after you have disen-
gaged reverse gear
R if you press button 3for the exterior mir-
ror on the driver's side Controls
* optional
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Seat belts
94 Seat belts
Wearing seat belts
Seat belts are the most effective means of
restraining the movement of vehicle occu-
pants in the event of an accident. This
reduces the risk of vehicle occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle interior. G
Risk of injury
A seat belt which is not worn correctly, or
which has not been engaged in the seat belt
buckle correctly, cannot perform its inten-
ded protective function. Under certain cir-
cumstances this could cause severe or
even fatal injuries.
Make sure that all occupants – in particular,
pregnant women – wear their seat belt cor-
rectly at all times.
R The seat belt must pass closely over your
body and must not be twisted. You
should therefore avoid wearing bulky
clothing (e.g. a winter coat). The shoulder
belt section must be routed across the
middle of your shoulder – on no account
across your neck or under your arm – and
pulled tight against your upper body. The
lap belt must always pass across your lap
as low down as possible, i.e. over your hip joints – not across your abdomen. If
necessary, push down the belt strap
slightly and then retighten it in the roll-up
direction.
R Do not route the belt strap across sharp
or fragile objects, especially if these are
located on or in your clothing, e.g. spec-
tacles, pencils, keys, etc. The seat belt
strap could be damaged and tear in an
accident and you or other vehicle occu-
pants could be injured.
R Only one person should use each seat
belt at any one time. Children must never
travel sitting on the lap of other occu-
pants. It would not be possible to restrain
the child in the event of a sudden change
in direction, braking or an accident. This
could result in severe or even fatal inju-
ries to the child and other occupants.
R Persons less than 1.50 m tall cannot
wear the seat belts correctly. For this
reason, secure persons less than 1.50 m
tall in specially designed, suitable
restraint systems.
R Children less than 1.50 m tall or under
12 years of age cannot wear the seat
belts properly. Therefore, always secure
these children in suitable child restraint systems on suitable vehicle seats. You
can find more information under "Chil-
dren in the vehicle" in the "Safety" sec-
tion of the Owner's Manual. Follow the
manufacturer's installation instructions
when fitting the child restraint system.
R Do not secure any objects with a seat belt
if the seat belt is also being used by one
of the vehicle's occupants. G
Risk of injury
The seat belt does not offer the intended
level of protection unless the backrest is
almost vertical. Under certain circumstan-
ces this could cause severe or even fatal
injuries.
Before starting a journey, make sure that
the seat is properly adjusted and that the
backrest is almost vertical. G
Risk of injury
A dirty or damaged seat belt or a seat belt
that has been subjected to a load in an
accident or modified no longer offers the
intended level of protection. Under certain
circumstances this could cause severe or
even fatal injuries. Controls
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Seat belts
95For this reason, check regularly that the
seat belts are not damaged or dirty.
Always have damaged seat belts or seat
belts that have been subjected to a load in
an accident replaced at a qualified special-
ist workshop. Choose a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary special-
ist knowledge and tools for the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat belts which
have been approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle.
1
Belt sash guide
2 Belt tongue
3 Buckle
4 Release button Routing the belt X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Y page 77).
X Pull the belt smoothly through belt sash
guide 1.
X Route the belt over the centre of the shoul-
der without twisting it.
X Engage belt tongue 2into buckle 3.
X If necessary, adjust the belt to the appro-
priate height (Y page 96).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the belt to tighten the belt across
your body.
Routing the belt X
Press release button 4and guide belt
tongue 2back towards belt sash guide
1. Controls
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Seat belts
96 Belt warning for driver and front
passenger
The < seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster reminds you that all occupants
should fasten their seat belts. The belt warning lamp may light up continuously
or it may flash. Additionally, there may be a
warning tone.
The < seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the front passenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver or the front passenger is
already secured, the lamp lights up for six seconds after the engine
has been started. The lamp then goes out if both the driver and the
front passenger have fastened their seat belt.
i Further information about the belt warning lamp (Y page 281). Belt height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and front-passenger seat.
Adjust the belt to a height that allows it to be
routed across the middle of your shoulder. 1
Release catch
X To raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various posi-
tions.
X To lower: press and hold release button
1.
X Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Let go of release button 1and make sure
that the belt sash guide has engaged. Correct driver's seat position
1
Steering wheel
2 Seat belt
3 Seat G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehi-
cle is stationary. You will otherwise be dis- Controls
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Lights
97tracted from the road and traffic conditions
and you could lose control of the vehicle as
a result of the seat moving. This could
cause an accident.
G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stationary and do not pull away
until the steering wheel adjustment mech-
anism is locked in position. You might oth-
erwise drive without the steering wheel
adjustment mechanism being locked in
position. As a result you could be distracted
from road and traffic conditions by an unex-
pected movement of the steering wheel
and thereby cause an accident.
The steerability of the vehicle is however
not affected.
X Check whether seat 3and the head
restraint are adjusted properly
(Y page 77).
Make sure that:
R you are as far away from the driver's front
airbag as possible
R you are sitting in a normal upright posi-
tion
R you can fasten the seat belt properly R
you have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position
R you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported
R you can depress the pedals properly
R you have adjusted the head restraint so
that the back of your head is supported
at eye level by the central area of the
head restraint
X Check whether steering wheel 1is adjus-
ted properly (Y page 88).
Make sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent
R you can move your legs freely
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly
X Check whether you have fastened seat belt
2 properly (Y page 94).
It should:
R fit snugly across your body
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder
R routed in your pelvic area across the hip
joints Lights
Light switch
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you drive with the lights switched
on even during the daytime. In some coun-
tries, daytime operation of headlamps varies
due to legal and voluntary requirements. In
these countries, the dipped-beam headlamps
are automatically switched on when the
engine is started.
i If you drive in countries in which traffic
drives on the opposite side of the road to
the country where the vehicle is registered,
oncoming traffic may be dazzled by the
asymmetrical dipped-beam headlamps.
Have the headlamps changed to symmet-
rical dipped beam when driving in these
countries. You can obtain information
about this from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre. Controls
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