ignition MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2To dim instrument cluster
illumination154
3Reset button for:

Resetting trip odometer

Resetting all settings
155
171
4To brighten instrument
cluster illumination154
5KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
6Clock176
ItemPage
7Speedometer with:
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp414
’Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp1
lDistance warning
lamp2262,
414
1Lamp without function. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is
running.
2Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates when the ignition is on.
It should go out when the engine is running.
ItemPage
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only415
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only415
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
419
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale,
USA only422
Low tire pressure
telltale*, Canada only422

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.

42 Getting started
Unlocking
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or Position 2)
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
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).For information on starting the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 54).
For more information on KEYLESS-GO, see
“SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 113).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once more, the ignition (position2) is
switched on

twice more, the power supply is again
switched off
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once more, the power supply
is again switched off.
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.

44 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
1 Head restraint height (vehicles with
memory function)*
2Seat cushion tilt
3Seat height
4Seat backrest tilt
5 Seat fore and aft adjustment
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats
whenever possible. Regardless of seating
position, children 12 years old and under
must be seated and properly secured in an
appropriate infant or toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. For additional informa-
tion, see “Children in the vehicle”
(
page 87).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
!When moving the seats, make sure there are
no items in the footwell or behind the seats;
otherwise you could damage the seats.
!When the second-row seats are folded
forward, e.g. for cargo compartment expansion
(
page 292), the front seats may not be moved
to the rearmost position. Otherwise you could
damage the front and second-row seats.
!When adjusting the seat backrest tilt and
head restraint height, make sure the sun visor is
folded up (
page 205). If the head restraint is in
the uppermost position, it could hit and damage
the sun visor.
iVehicles without memory function*:
The seats can be adjusted within 5 minutes after
either front door has been opened. The counter
resets each time

you open or close a front door

you insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch

you remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch

you switch the ignition on or off
iThe memory function* (page 141) lets
you store the settings for the seat position
together with the settings for the steering wheel
and the exterior rear view mirrors.

49 Getting started
Adjusting
The buttons are located on the driver’s
door control panel.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Adjustment button
3Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Press button1 for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or
button3for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.
The indicator lamp on the respective
button comes on for approximately
15 seconds.
Push adjustment button2up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.
For more information, see “Rear view
mirrors” (
page 203).
iIf you do not make adjustments to the
selected exterior rear view mirror within
15 seconds, the indicator lamp goes out. You will
then have to select the desired exterior rear view
mirror again before any adjustments can be
made. Adjustments can only be made with the
indicator lamp for the respective exterior rear
view mirror button illuminated.
!If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly
pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly
pushed rearward (hit from the front), reposition
it by applying firm pressure until it snaps into
place. The mirror housing is then properly
positioned and you can adjust the mirror in the
usual manner.
!Vehicles with power folding exterior rear
view mirrors*:
If an exterior rear view mirror housing is forcibly
pushed forward (hit from the rear) or forcibly
pushed rearward (hit from the front) press fold
button1 (
page 205) to fold mirrors in, then
press fold button1 (
page 205) again to fold
mirrors out. Do not force mirrors by hand as this
may damage the adjustment mechanism.
The mirror housing is then properly positioned
and you can adjust the mirror in the usual man-
ner.
Please make sure both rear view mirrors are
folded out before driving off.
iThe memory function* (page 141) lets
you store the settings for the exterior rear view
mirrors together with the setting for the steering
wheel and the seat positions.
At low ambient temperatures, the exterior rear
view mirrors will be heated automatically.

58 Getting started
Driving
Switching on headlamps
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 143).
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch
1 Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
The low beam headlamps come on.
High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1.
The high beam headlamps and the
highbeam indicator lampA in the
instrument cluster come on
(
page 29).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Combination switch” (
page 147).

59 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampLorK in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ment.Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
iTo signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press combination switch only
to point of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three times.

62 Getting started
Driving
6Rear window wiper indicator
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Activating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position3.
In the lower multifunction display you
will see indicator6, indicating that
the rear window wiper is activated.Deactivating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position4 (
page 61).
Indicator6 for the rear window wiper
is cleared from the lower multifunction
display, indicating that the rear window
wiper is deactivated.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Turn and hold rear window wiper
switch 1 in position 2 or 5
(
page 61) until the rear window is
clean.
The rear window wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 362).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged
(gasoline engine only).

The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it
(gasoline engine only).
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
iThe rear window wiper engages auto-
matically when the automatic transmission is
shifted to positionR with the windshield wipers
switched on.

70 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint
systems of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are

Seat belts (page 82)

Child restraints (page 92)

Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CH
ildren (LATCH) (page 91)
Additional protection provide

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
with

Air bags (page 72)

Air bag control unit (with crash
sensors)

Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) for seat belts (
page 85)

Active head restraints (page 86)Air bag system components with

Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp (
page 81)

Front passenger seat with Occupant
C
lassification System (OCS)
(
page 77)
Although independent systems, their
protective functions work in conjunction
with each other.The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates early detection of malfunctions.
The 1indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 26) comes on when the
ignition is switched on and goes out no
later than a few seconds after the engine
was started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness if the 1indicator lamp is not
lit when the engine is running.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if the 1indicator lamp:

fails to go out no later than approxi-
mately 4 seconds after the engine was
started

does not come on at all

comes on after the engine was started
or while driving
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and restraint
systems for infants and children, see “Children
in the vehicle” (
page 87).

99 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)

EBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 26) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another vehicle too closely
The driving systems described in this sec-
tion cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness driving systems described in this section is
only achieved with winter tires (
page 398) or
snow chains as required.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.