park assist MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Storage compartments ......................... 34
Door control panel................................ 36Getting started................................... 37
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 38
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 39
Starter switch positions .................. 39
Adjusting .............................................. 43
Seats .............................................. 43
Steering wheel ................................ 46
Mirrors ............................................ 48
Driving .................................................. 50
Fastening the seat belts ................. 50
Starting the engine ......................... 53
Parking brake ................................. 56
Driving off ....................................... 56
Switching on headlamps ................. 58
Turn signals .................................... 59
Windshield wipers ........................... 59
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 61
Problems while driving.................... 62
Parking and locking .............................. 64
Parking brake ................................. 65
Switching off headlamps................. 65
Turning off the engine..................... 66
Releasing seat belts........................ 67
Locking ........................................... 67

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

56 Getting started
Driving
Repeat the starting procedure
(
page 53). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 511).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center or call Roadside
Assistance.
Parking brake
1Release handle
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.
Shift the automatic transmission
toDorR (
page 192).
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Children could release
the parking brake, which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in motion.
iShifting from gear positionP to position R,
N, orD is only possible with the brake pedal
depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed,
the gear selector lever can be moved, but the
parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.


64 Getting started
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. In this case, it is important
to keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a
result of vehicle movement, before turning
off the engine and leaving the vehicle
always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.

198 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR can
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
The engine control system of this vehicle
electronically limits shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR to
very low speeds, i.e. approximately
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift between drive
positionD and reverse gearR, move the
gear selector lever past the resistance
point up or down.
Working on the vehicleHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.The hill start assist system is inactive

when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades

with the transmission in neutral
positionN

with the parking brake set

if the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and shift to park positionP.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away.
Warning!G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as a parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to park positionP.

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.

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.

281 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Permanent four-wheel drive (4MATIC)*
Your vehicle is equipped with permanent
four-wheel drive (4MATIC). Both, the front
and rear axles, are powered at all times
when the vehicle is being operated. The
4MATIC improves traction in conjunction
with the ESP
® (page 101) and the
Electronic Traction System (
page 103).
Parktronic* (Parking assist)
Warning!G
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insuffi-
cient traction:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents re-
sulting from excessive speed.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the parking brake
on a brake test dynamometer and such testing
should be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the 4MATIC is only achieved with winter
tires (
page 398) or snow chains as required.
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 408).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.

282 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during
parking maneuvers. It visually and audibly
indicates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and

release the parking brake
and

set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orNThe Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds, the Parktronic system turns on
again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sen-
sors in the front bumper and four sensors
in the rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 408).
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches).
The Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.

341 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 101).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 415).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 447).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position0or1) when test-
ing the parking brake on a brake test dynamom-
eter and such testing should be no longer than
10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.