cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2008 W251 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2008, Model line: R320, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2008 W251Pages: 569
Page 7 of 569
Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 248
Opening and closing ..................... 248
Synchronizing ............................... 250
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 252
Roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 252
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 253
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 255
Driving systems ................................. 257
Cruise control............................... 257
Distronic* (Canada only) .............. 262
Distance warning function*
(Canada only) ............................... 275
AIRMATIC* ................................... 276
Permanent four-wheel drive
(4MATIC)* .................................... 281
Parktronic* (Parking assist) ......... 281
Rear view camera* ....................... 285Loading .............................................. 288
Roof rack*.................................... 288
Loading instructions..................... 289
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 290
Hooks........................................... 291
Expanding cargo compartment .... 292
Cargo compartment cover blind... 299
Cargo net* ................................... 301
Useful features .................................. 304
Storage compartments ................ 304
Parcel nets ................................... 307
Cup holders.................................. 308
Ashtrays ....................................... 311
Cigarette lighter ........................... 313
Power outlets ............................... 314
Rear center console* ................... 315
Heated steering wheel* ............... 318
Telephone* .................................. 319
Tele Aid* ...................................... 322
Garage door opener ..................... 329
Compass ...................................... 334
Floormats ..................................... 335
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 336
Operation......................................... 337
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 338
Driving instructions ........................... 339
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 339
Drinking and driving ..................... 339
Pedals .......................................... 339
Power assistance ......................... 340
Brakes.......................................... 340
Driving off .................................... 342
Parking......................................... 343
Tires ............................................. 343
Hydroplaning................................ 344
Tire traction ................................. 344
Tire speed rating .......................... 345
Winter driving instructions ........... 346
Standing water............................. 347
Passenger compartment .............. 347
Driving abroad ............................. 348
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 348
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 349
Page 26 of 569
25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever258
2Instrument cluster26
3Multifunction steering
wheel30
4Horn
5Steering wheel gearshift
buttons201
6Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission53
7Front Parktronic* warning
indicators283
8Overhead control panel33
9Glove box release
Glove box lock304
305
ItemPage
aGlove box
CD changer*
AUX-socket304
304
304
bCenter console31
cPower outlet314
dStarter switch39
eSteering wheel adjustment,
manual46
fSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical*47
Heated steering wheel*318
gHood lock release356
hParking brake release56
ItemPage
jParking brake pedal65
kDoor control panel36
lExterior lamp switch143
mCombination switch
High beam58
Turn signals59
Windshield wipers59
Rear window wiper61
Page 30 of 569
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer155
Main odometer157
9Tachometer with:
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp70,
424
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
USA only417
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
Canada only417
ItemPage
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp147
qPreglow indicator
lamp153
aFuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp424
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side352
1Vehicles with diesel engine only.
ItemPage
bMultifunction display with:
Outside temperature
indicator or digital
speedometer (depending
on selected setting in the
control system)157,
175
Transmission position
indicator194
Gear range indicator199
Program mode indicator200
Distance warning function
indicator* (Canada only)275
Rear window wiper
indicator61
Set speed for
Cruise control
Distronic*
(Canada only)
259
268
Page 105 of 569
104 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:
when driving with snow chains
in deep snow
in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®
the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle
the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip
the Electronic Traction System will still
apply the brake to a spinning wheel
the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking
you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic* system
the cruise control or the Distronic*
system switch off if currently activatedThe ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press ESP®
switch1.
The ESP
®warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.
Page 258 of 569
257 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:
Cruise control (page 257) and
Distronic* (
page 262), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.
Distance warning function*
(
page 275) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacles or slower moving vehicles
that you are closing in on too quickly.
AIRMATIC* (page 276) adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and controls the vehicle
level.
Parktronic* (page 281) and rear view
camera* (
page 285), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 99).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.
The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.
Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Page 259 of 569
258 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resuming to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control when
the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:
when you brake
when you have set the parking brake
when the automatic transmission is set
to positionP, R, or N
if the ESP® is switched off
if the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses automatically when
the cruise control engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for
the vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedo-
meter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.
Page 260 of 569
259 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2 (
page 258).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
status indicator of the multifunction
display:
USA only:
Cruise XXX Miles
Canada only:
Ñ
XXX Km/h
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 258).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s
braking system. In addition, on longer downhill
grades the automatic transmission will down-
shift automatically.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off
automatically when
you step on the brake pedal
you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control switches off automatically and
an acoustic warning will sound when
the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
the ESP® is in operation
the ESP® is switched off with the ESP®
switch (
page 104)
the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction (
page 435)
you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
Page 261 of 569
260 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the set speed in two
ways.Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up to
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 258).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in in-
crements of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
!Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the cruise control.
However, the automatic transmission should not
be set toN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will
resume the last speed set.
Warning!G
If you increase the set vehicle speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious
injury to you and others.
iThe set speed value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever to the resistance point.
Page 262 of 569
261 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up
past the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 258).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in
increments of 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h).Setting a lower speed
You can reduce the set speed in two ways.Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down to the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 258).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in in-
crements of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
iThe set speed value is increased in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time
you lift the cruise control lever past the
resistance point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
Warning!G
If you decrease the set vehicle speed, keep
in mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Decrease the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious
injury to you and others.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
iThe set speed value is decreased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down to the resis-
tance point.
Page 263 of 569
262 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in
direction of arrow2.
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in
increments of 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 258).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or, if no speed is stored, it
will set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds.
Distronic* (Canada only)
The Distronic is available on the
R5504MATIC only.
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases the driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
while traveling on expressways and other
major roadways.
If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at your
preset following distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as standard cruise control
(
page 257).
iThe set speed value is decreased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down past the
resistance point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
decelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.