tow MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV 2008 Owner's Guide

Driving sys
tems 149
of its narrow width. The distance to the vehi-
cle in front will be too short. Speedtronic
Speedtronic brakes automatically so that you
do not exceed the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1,2or 3in good time. By
doing so you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. If
you need additional braking, depress the
brake pedal repeatedly rather than continu-
ously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
You can set a variable or permanent limit
speed:
R variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
R permanent for long-term speed restric-
tions, e.g. for driving on winter tyres
(Y page 151) G
Risk of accident
Speedtronic is only an aid designed to
assist driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Variable Speedtronic With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control, Distronic* and variable
Speedtronic.The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Cruise control or Distronic* is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running. 1
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
2 LIM indicator lamp
3 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
4 To store the current speed or a lower
speed Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 150
5
To switch between cruise control or Dis-
tronic* and variable Speedtronic
6 To deactivate variable Speedtronic
Selecting variable Speedtronic X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp 2is on.
If it is on, variable Speedtronic is already
selected.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow 5.
LIM indicator lamp 2in the cruise control
lever lights up. Variable Speedtronic is
selected. G
Risk of accident
If there is a change of drivers, advise the
new driver of the limit speed stored.
Only use Speedtronic when you do not have
to accelerate suddenly to a speed higher
than the stored limit speed allows. You
could otherwise cause an accident.
You can only exceed the limit speed stored
if you deactivate variable Speedtronic:
R using the cruise control lever.
R by depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown). It is not possible to deactivate variable
Speedtronic by braking.
G
Risk of injury
Variable Speedtronic brakes automatically
in order to avoid exceeding the set speed.
As it does so, the brake pedal is depressed.
Do not place your foot under the brake
pedal as it could become trapped.
Storing the current speed You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running.
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever up
1 or down 4to the pressure point.
The current speed is stored and shown in
the multi-function display.
The LIM indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
Risk of accident
Only select a stored speed if you know what
that speed is and whether it is suitable for
the current driving and traffic situation. Otherwise, sudden braking could endanger
you or others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 3.
Making adjustments in 1 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up 1for a higher speed or
down 4for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is
set. Press the cruise control lever, up 1
for a higher speed or down 4for a lower
speed.
Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up 1for a
higher speed or down 4for a lower speed.
or
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired
speed is set. Press the cruise control lever, Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 156Side view
Top view
Front sensors
Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 120 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. Parktronic
does not detect such objects when they are
in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill could cause Parktronic
to malfunction.
Minimum distance Centre Approximately 20 cm
Corners Approximately 15 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays light up and a tone sounds.
If the distance falls below the minimum clear-
ance, it may no longer be shown.Warning displays The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
roof trim at the rear.
Front area warning display
1
Left-hand side of the vehicle
2 Right-hand side of the vehicle
3 Indicator segments
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. Parktronic is operational if yellow
indicator segments 3light up. Controls
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Driving sys
tems 157
The automatic transmission position deter-
mines which warning display is active: Automatic trans-
mission position Warning display
D Front area activated
R
or N Rear and front areas
activated
P No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance to the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approxi-
mately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. You have reached the minimum dis-
tance. Deactivating/activating Parktronic 1
To deactivate/activate Parktronic
2 Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp 2is on, Parktronic is deac-
tivated.
Trailer towing* Parktronic is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
! Remove the detachable trailer coupling if
it is no longer required. Parktronic meas-
ures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling. Reversing camera*
The reversing camera is an optical aid. It
shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND APS display. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The reversing camera is located in the handle
strip of the boot lid. 1
Reversing camera
View through the camera The area behind the vehicle is displayed in a
mirrored fashion, as in the rear-view mirror. Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
183
Opening
X
To open manually: press the switch in the
direction of arrow 1or3 until the roller
sunblinds have moved to the desired posi-
tion.
X To open fully: briefly press the switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 1or3.
X To stop: press or pull the switch in any
direction.
Closing
X Pull the switch in the direction of
arrow 2until the roller sunblinds have
moved to the desired position.
Resetting the panorama sliding sunroof
and the roller sunblinds Reset the panorama sliding sunroof and the
roller sunblinds if the panorama sliding sun-
roof does not open smoothly, or if the battery
has been disconnected or discharged.
X
Make sure that the key is in position 0in
the ignition lock.
X Remove the fuse for the panorama sliding
sunroof in the main fuse box
(Y page 334). i
The fuse allocation chart can be found in
the vehicle tool kit (Y page 252).
X Reinsert the fuse.
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Close the roller sunblinds fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Open the roller sunblinds fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Raise the panorama sliding sunroof fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Close the panorama sliding sunroof fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Check that the panorama sliding sunroof
can be opened fully again (Y page 181).
X If this is not the case, consult a qualified
specialist workshop. Loading and stowing
Cup holder
G
Risk of injury
Keep the cup holder closed while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise, vehicle occu-
pants could be injured by objects being
thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Only use the cup holders for containers of
a suitable size and which have lids. Other-
wise, the drinks could spill.
Cup holders should not be used for hot
drinks. Otherwise, you may scald yourself. Controls
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Loading and stowing
184
Cup holder in the centre console
1
Cover
2 Chrome catch
X To open: briefly press chrome catch 2in
the direction of the arrow.
Cover 1swings upwards. 1
Cover
2 To secure the drink container
3 Retainer
4 Release button
5 To release the retainer
X To secure a drink container (driver's
side): place a drink container in the left-
hand cup holder.
X Press release button 4in the direction of
arrow 5.
X Guide retainer 3onto the drink container
in the direction of arrow 2.
X To release a drink container (driver's
side): press release button 4in the direc-
tion of arrow 5.
Retainer 3automatically snaps back into
its original position. X
To close: make sure that there is no drink
container in the cup holder.
X Fold cover 1downwards until it engages.
Cup holder for the 2nd row of seats
below the centre air vents* !
Close the cup holder if you are not using
it and before folding down the 2nd row of
seats.
i Vehicles with a centre console for the 2nd
row of seats* and a short wheelbase do not
have a cup holder below the centre air
vents.
Opening the cup holder 1
Cover Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
185
X
Open cover 1and fold it down to the stop
in the direction of the arrow. 1
Cover
2 Cup holder
X Pull cup holder 2out to the stop in the
direction of the arrow.
X Place a drink container in cup holder 2
from above.
Closing the cup holder
X Make sure that there is no drink container
in the cup holder.
X Push cup holder 2forwards into the stow-
age compartment until it engages. X
Fold cover 1upwards until it engages in
the first position.
X Swing cover 1forwards until it engages in
the second position.
Cup holder in front of the armrest of
the 2nd row of seats* 1
Cup holder Cup holder in the side trim of the third
row of seats 1
Cup holder Roof rack system*
G
Risk of accident and injury
An incorrectly secured roof rack, ski rack
or load could become detached from the
vehicle. These objects may be thrown
around and can injure you or others or
cause an accident. Follow the roof rack/ski
rack manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and special instructions for use.
The roof load raises the vehicle's centre of
gravity, thereby affecting vehicle handling.
You must always observe the maximum Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
186 roof load of 100 kg. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to the prevailing road, traffic and
weather conditions and drive with particu-
lar care if the roof is laden.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof rack systems which have
been tested and approved for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles. This helps to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof rack in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
make sure that you can:
R raise the sliding/tilting sunroof* fully
R open the panorama sliding sunroof* fully
R open the tailgate fully 1
Covers
X Fold covers 1upwards.
X Only secure the roof rack to the anchorage
points under covers 1.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Luggage net
G
Risk of injury
Only place lightweight objects in the lug-
gage net. Do not use it to transport heavy,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. The luggage
net cannot secure the objects sufficiently
in the event of an accident.
Luggage net in the front-passenger
footwell 1
Luggage net Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
187
Luggage net behind the front seats
1
Luggage net Loading guidelines
G
Risk of injury
Secure and position the load as described
in the loading guidelines.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could
be injured by the load being thrown around
in the event of sharp braking, a sudden
change in direction or an accident. This also
applies to seats which have been removed.
You will find further information in the
"Securing a load" section. Even if you follow all the loading guidelines,
the load will increase the risk of injury in the
event of an accident.
G
Risk of poisoning
Keep the tailgate closed when the engine is
running. Otherwise, you could be poisoned
by exhaust fumes entering the vehicle.
The handling characteristics of a laden vehi-
cle are dependent on the distribution of the
load within the vehicle. You should therefore
load your vehicle as shown in the illustrations. Load distribution
Observe the following notes when transport-
ing a load:
R
When transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight Controls
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Loading and stowing
188or the permissible axle loads for the vehicle
(including occupants).
R Position heavy loads as far forwards and as
low down in the luggage compartment as
possible.
R The load must not protrude above the
upper edge of the backrests.
R Always place the load against the front or
rear seat backrests. Make sure that the
backrests and the seats are securely
locked into place.
R Secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant load restraints. Pad sharp
edges for protection.
i Load restraints are available at any quali-
fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre. Securing a load
Lashing eyelets* G
Risk of injury
Distribute the load on the lashing eyelets
evenly.
Otherwise, vehicle occupants could be
injured by objects being thrown around if
you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Please observe the loading guidelines.
Observe the following points or guidelines
when securing loads:
R Secure the load using the lashing eyelets.
R Do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load as these are only intended as an anti-
slip protection for light loads.
R Do not route lashing materials across sharp
edges or corners.
R Pad sharp edges for protection. 2nd row of seats*
There is one lashing eyelet in the footwell
behind the driver’s seat and one in the foot-
well behind the front-passenger seat.
1
Lashing eyelet in the rear footwell Controls
* optional
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