transmission MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

Contents
Control system .................................. 157
Multifunction display .................... 157
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 158
Menus .......................................... 160
Standard display menu ................ 164
AUDIO menu ................................ 165
NAV menu* .................................. 167
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 168
Distronic* menu........................... 168
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 169
Settings menu .............................. 170
Distance warning function* ......... 185
Trip computer menu..................... 185
TEL menu* ................................... 187
Automatic transmission ..................... 190
Gear selector lever ....................... 190
Shifting procedure ....................... 193
Transmission positions................. 194
Driving tips ................................... 197
Gear ranges ................................. 199
Automatic shift program .............. 200
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 201
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 202Good visibility ..................................... 203
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 203
Rear view mirrors .......................... 203
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors* ........................................ 204
Sun visors ..................................... 205
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 207
Rear window defroster .................. 207
Climate control ................................... 208
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 212
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 212
Setting the temperature................ 213
Adjusting air distribution............... 213
Adjusting air volume ..................... 214
Front defroster.............................. 214
Air recirculation mode .................. 216
Air conditioning............................. 219
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 219
Rear climate control*.................... 2203-zone automatic climate control* ..... 222
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 226
Operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic
mode ............................................ 227
Setting the temperature ............... 227
Adjusting air distribution .............. 228
Adjusting air volume ..................... 229
Front defroster ............................. 229
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 231
Air recirculation mode .................. 231
Air conditioning ............................ 233
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones........................ 234
Residual heat and ventilation........ 235
Rear automatic climate control
(second row) ................................. 236
Rear automatic climate control
(second and third row)* ................ 240
Power windows .................................. 241
Door windows ............................... 242
Hinged quarter windows* ............. 243
Synchronizing the door windows .. 244
Summer opening feature .............. 244
Convenience closing feature......... 245

Contents
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 349
Emission control .......................... 350
Coolant temperature .................... 350
At the gas station .............................. 352
Refueling ...................................... 352
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 354
Engine compartment ......................... 356
Hood ............................................ 356
Engine oil ..................................... 358
Transmission fluid level ................ 360
Coolant level ................................ 360
Windshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system* ....................................... 362
Tires and wheels ................................ 363
Important guidelines .................... 363
Tire care and maintenance........... 364
Direction of rotation ..................... 365
Loading the vehicle ...................... 366
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 371
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 373
Tire labeling.................................. 384
Load identification ....................... 388DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. 388
Maximum tire load ........................ 390
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 390
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 391
Tire ply material ............................ 393
Tire and loading terminology......... 393
Rotating tires ................................ 396
Winter driving ..................................... 398
Winter tires ................................... 398
Snow chains.................................. 399
Maintenance....................................... 400
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 400
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 402
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 402
Vehicle care........................................ 403
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 403
Practical hints.................................. 413
What to do if … ................................... 414
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 414
Lamp in center console ................ 425
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 427
Where will I find ...? ............................ 467
First aid kit.................................... 467
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 467
Spare wheel .................................. 471
Unlocking / locking in an emergency .. 474
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 474
Locking the vehicle ....................... 475
Fuel filler flap ................................ 475
Resetting activated head restraints.... 477
Vehicles without Rear Seat
Entertainment Package................. 477
Vehicles with Rear Seat
Entertainment Package*............... 478
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 479
Replacing bulbs .................................. 480
Bulbs............................................. 480
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 483
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 487

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

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer155

Main odometer157
9Tachometer with:
420
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

31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1COMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
2Climate control208
3-zone automatic climate
control*222
Rear window defroster207
3Seat heating*,
front passenger side139
4Seat ventilation*,
front passenger side
(Canada only)140
5Vehicle level control
switch*279
6Program mode selector
switch for automatic
transmission200
ItemPage
7Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp 77,
425
8Hazard warning flasher
switch150
9Alarm system indicator
lamp107
aParktronic system*
deactivation switch284
bElectronic Stability Program
(ESP®) switch
104
cSeat ventilation*,
driver’s side (Canada only)140
dSeat heating*, driver’s side139
eAdaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch277

40 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster remains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 414).
3Starting position
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal indica-
tor lamps unless activated) in the instrument
cluster come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps if activated)
will go out when the engine is running.
This indicates that the respective systems are
operational.
iIf the SmartKey does not belong to the
vehicle, the SmartKey can be turned in the
starter switch. However, the ignition does not
switch on and the engine does not start.
iWhen the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch and the automatic transmission is
in a position other thanP, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts toP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in
the starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(
page 503).

Get a jump start (page 511).
To prevent accelerated battery discharge or a
completely discharged battery, always remove
the SmartKey from the starter switch when the
engine is not in operation.

41 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a
removable KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
With the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
inserted and the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO present in the vehicle, press-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

without the brake pedal depressed
corresponds to the various starter
switch positions (
page 42)

with the brake pedal firmly depressed
will start the engine (
page 54)
If you wish or should there be a need to
insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in
the starter switch, the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button can be easily removed
by pulling it out of the starter switch.1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
2Starter switch
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
3USA only
4Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Insert KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 into starter switch 2 (if not
inserted already).
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
iThe KEYLESS-GO start/stop button does
not need to be removed from the starter switch
when you leave the vehicle. However, always
take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you
when you leave the vehicle. As long as the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle, the
vehicle’s electrical systems can be switched on
or the engine can be started using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.

53 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
PPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For information on how to operate the
gear selector lever, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 190).Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 66).
Gasoline engine:
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 40) and hold until
the engine starts.
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.

54 Getting started
Driving
Diesel engine:
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 40).
Preglow indicator lampqin the
instrument cluster comes on.
As soon as preglow indicator
lampq goes out, turn the SmartKey
in the starter switch to position3
(
page 40) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button is inserted in the starter
switch (
page 41).
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 66).
iIf the engine is at operating temperature,
preglow indicator lampqmay not stay on
and you can start the engine without preglowing.
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise
accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle.
iIf you wish to start the engine using the
SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO feature,
remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from
the starter switch (
page 41).

55 Getting started
Driving
Gasoline engine
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.Diesel engine
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
The engine preglows and starts if the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the
vehicle.Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better
detection of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO.
or
Remove KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from starter switch.
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.iIf the engine is at operating temperature,
the time the engine needs to preglow is reduced.