sport mode MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

206 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch
(R 63 AMG only)
M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 209)
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode
!Never change the program mode when the
automatic transmission is out of park positionP.
This could result in a change of driving character-
istics for which you may not be prepared.
iThe last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

207 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort driving
(R 63 AMG: standard driving):

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectSfor standard driving
(R 63 AMG: sporty driving):

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.
Steering wheel gearshift control
With drive positionD selected and driving
in program modeC or S, you can limit or
extend the gear range.
If your vehicle is equipped with manual
shift programM, you can use the steering
wheel gearshift control to manually shift
the gears.
1Left shift button: limiting gear range or
downshift (in program modeM)
2Right shift button: extending gear
range or upshift (in program modeM)
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the steering wheel gearshift control
when driving in program modeC or S.
iR63AMG:
For information on using the steering wheel gear-
shift control in program modeM, see “Manual
shift program (R 63 AMG only)” (
page 209).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control buttons when the transmission
in positionP,N orR.

209 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Manual shift program (R 63 AMG only)
In addition to the automatic shift
programC orS, your vehicle is equipped
with the manual shift programM.
In the manual program modeM,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by manually upshifting or downshift-
ing using the steering wheel gearshift
control buttons to the left and right of the
steering wheel (
page 207).
Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
page 206).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the
M for manual pro-
gram modeM appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually with
drive positionD selected. You can upshift
or downshift through the gears in succes-
sion.
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 206) and “Steering wheel gearshift con-
trol” (
page 207).
iThe manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.

355 Operation
Driving instructions
Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 405).
Standing water
To prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine com-
partment if you must drive through
standing water, keep in mind that

the maximum depth of the water may
not exceed 10 in (25 cm)

you must drive slowly
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.
iVehicles with AIRMATIC*
(except R 63 AMG):
If you have selected the raised level
(
page 289) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is
12 in (30 cm).
iR63AMG with AIRMATIC*:
If you have selected the highway level
(
page 289) with the ADS in SPORT mode
(
page 286) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is
7.5 in (19 cm).
If you have selected the raised level
(
page 289) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is 9 in (23 cm).

406 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 532).

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o a d v i s e y o u o n t h i s
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 534).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive, use
snow chains on rear wheels only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is not
permissible with the spare wheel.
!Vehicles with Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)*: When driving with snow chains,
do not select SPORT mode (
page 286).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 104) be-
fore setting the vehicle in motion. This will im-
prove the vehicle’s traction.

532 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressures is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 376). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 381)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 382). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for more
information.

551 Index
D
Date display, Setting 181
Daytime running lamp mode 148
Setting 183
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 225, 240
Defrosting, Front 224, 239
Defrosting, Rear 217
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 185
Interior lighting 186
Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel engine
Bleeding fuel system 505
Preglow indicator lamp 29
Diesel fuel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 63
With starting 57
Digital speedometer 159, 167
Dimensions, Vehicle 536
Direction of rotation (tires) 375Displays
Digital speedometer 159, 167
Distronic* 174, 274
Maintenance service indicator
message 407
Messages in the multifunction
display 433–471
Multifunction display 159
Outside temperature 158, 159, 167
Selecting 180
Showing malfunctions 175
Symbol messages 451
Text messages 435
Vehicle status message memory 174
Vehicle system settings,
Control system 163, 165, 176
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 191
Distance warning function* 191Distronic* 271
Activating 277
Cleaning system sensor 414
Control system 276
Deactivating 280
Distance warning function* 284
Driving hints 282
Messages in the multifunction
display 437
Warning and indicator lamps 274
Door
Entry lamps 155
Locking, In an emergency 479
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 112
Messages in the multifunction
display 460
Opening from the inside 122
Opening from the outside 113
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 336
Unlocking, Mechanical key 478