engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 User Guide

451 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Check engine oil
level at next refueling.
appears while
the engine is running and at operating tem-
perature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved engine oil.
For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck engine oil level
at next refueling.The engine oil level is too low.Check the engine oil level (page 358).
!The engine oil level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

536 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterR 320 CDI 4MATIC9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
R 3501, R 350 4MATIC
1USA only.
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
R 550 4MATIC2
2Canada only.
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
Automatic transmission9.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case0.53 US qt (0.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Front axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil

538 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA
only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Engine oil additives
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Air conditioning systemR-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant
oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system*8.0 US qt (7.6 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 544).
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or chang-
ing of oil and oil filter at change intervals longer
than those called for by the Maintenance System
will result in engine or emission control system
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen-
dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to do
so will result in engine or emission control
system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending
oil additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.

539 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional
information.Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine)
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere. Under extremely strenuous
operating conditions, this moisture content
can lead to the formation of bubbles in the
system, thus reducing the system’s
efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with gasoline and the in-
halation of gasoline vapors are damaging to
your health.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gasoline must
be used. If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available and low octane fuel is used, follow
these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially filled with
unleaded regular gasoline and fill up with
premium unleaded gasoline as soon as
possible.

Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation.

Do not exceed an engine speed of 3 000 rpm
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such
as two persons and no luggage.

Do not exceed2/3of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain.

540 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel requirements
Gasoline engine
Only use premium unleaded fuel.

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an
average of both the Research Octane
Number (RON) and the Motor Octane
Number (MON): (RON+MON) /2.
This is also known as the ANTI-KNOCK
INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Diesel engine
Only use commercially available vehicular
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL
FUEL (15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM).
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is
offered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.
Gasoline additives (gasoline engine)
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation

Unstable idle

Knocking/pinging

Misfire

Power loss
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine.
The fuel system and engine will otherwise be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

541 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA
only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
costs and may be harmful to the engine
operation.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection

Freeze protection

Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and
corrosion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel
additives other than those tested and approved
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

551 Index
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 358, 538
Adding 359, 538
Additives 538
Changing 359, 538
Checking level 358
Consumption 358
Filler neck 359
Recommended engine oils and
filters 538
ESP
®101
Messages in the multifunction
display 435–436
Warning lamp 27, 419
ETD 85
Safety guidelines 74
ETS/4-ETS 103
Extending cargo compartment 292
Exterior rear view mirrors 48, 203
Power folding* 204
Synchronizing 204F
Fastening the seat belts 50
Filler neck, Engine oil 359
First aid kit 467
Flat tire 492
Collapsible tire 471, 498, 532
Jacking up the vehicle 493
Lowering the vehicle 501
Mounting the spare wheel 498
Preparing the vehicle 493
Spare wheel 471, 498, 532
Floormats 335
Fluids
Automatic transmission
fluid 360, 536
Brake fluid 355, 536, 539
Capacities 536
Engine coolant 355, 360, 537, 541
Engine oil 358, 536, 538
Power steering fluid 536
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 362, 538Fog lamp, Front see Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps*
Fog lamp, Rear 147
Messages in the multifunction
display 458
Replacing bulbs 480
Fog lamps 146
4MATIC see Permanent four-wheel
drive 281
Front air bags 75
Front defroster 214, 229
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front
air bag 75, 77, 82, 425
Front passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp 31, 75, 77, 82, 425
Front seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 515

558 Index
Odometer 155, 157
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 201
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 407
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 401
Overhead control panel 33
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 349
P
Paintwork code 524
Paintwork, Cleaning 404
Panic alarm 98
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 252
Cleaning 410
Convenience closing feature 245
Opening/closing 253
Roller sunblinds 252
Stopping 253
Summer opening feature 244
Synchronizing 255Parcel nets 307
Parking 64, 343
Parking brake 56, 65
Lamps, Indicator and warning 415
Messages in the multifunction
display 446
Releasing 56
Parking lamps 481
Messages in the multifunction
display 458
Replacing bulbs 480
Parktronic* (Parking assist) 281
Cleaning system sensors 408
Minimum distance 283
Range 282
Sensor cover 408
Switching on/off 284
System malfunction 285
System sensors 282
Warning indicators 283
Parts service 522
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lampPassenger compartment 347
Fuse box 520
Interior lighting 150
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 339
Permanent four-wheel drive 281
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning 410
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 526
Positions (Memory function*) see
Seats 142
Power assistance 340
Power outlets 314
Power seats see Seats
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 248
Convenience closing feature 245
Opening/closing 248
Stopping 245
Summer opening feature 244
Synchronizing 250
Power washer 404

563 Index
Technical data 538
Air conditioning refrigerant 538
Brake fluid 537, 539
Coolant 537, 541
Dimensions, Vehicle 534
Electrical system 533
Engine 527
Engine oil 536, 538
Engine oil additives 538
Fuel requirements 540
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 536
Gasoline additives 540
Premium unleaded gasoline 539
Rims 529
Tires 529
Weights 535
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 538, 544
Tele Aid* 322
Call priority 328
Emergency calls 323
Hands-free microphone 33
Information 326
Initiating an emergency call
manually 324Messages in the multifunction
display 461
Remote door unlock 328
Roadside Assistance 325
SOS button 324
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 329
System self-check 323
Telephone* 319
Answering a call 188
Changing mobile phone cradle 321
Dialing a number from the phone
book 188
Ending a call 188
Hands-free microphone 33
Inserting in cradle 320
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 321
Messages in the multifunction
display 461
Operation 187
Phone book* 188
Redialing 189
Rejecting an incoming call 188
Removing from cradle 321Temperature
Coolant 164
Display mode, Status indicator 175
Interior temperature, setting see Cli-
mate control or Automatic climate
control (3-zone)*
Outside temperature 165
Sensor, Interior temperature 225
Sensor, Outside temperature 155
Tether attachment points
Children in the vehicle 87
3-zone automatic climate control* 222
Ticket holder 309
Tie-down rings 290
Tightening torque, Wheel bolts 501
Tilt/sliding panel* see Panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel*
Tilt/sliding sunroof* see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof*
Time 176
TIN 388, 395
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 367
Terminology 393
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure