sport mode MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 Owner's Manual

200 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 drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort 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:

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.
!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.
iR 320 CDI 4MATIC only:
To help avoid overloading the torque converter,
the vehicle starts out in first gear, regardless of
the selected program mode.

399 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 529).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
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 532).
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.!Vehicles with Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)*: When driving with snow chains,
do not select SPORT mode (
page 276) as this
could result in damage to the vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is
not permissible with the spare wheel.
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 104)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This will
improve the vehicle’s traction.

529 Technical data
Rims and tires
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
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 366). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 372)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 372). 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. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for more information.

530 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC
R 3501
R 350 4MATIC
R 320 CDI 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 350 (Sport Package*)1
R 350 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 550 4MATIC2
R 550 4MATIC (Sport Package*)2
Rims (light alloy)8 J x 18 H28Jx19H2
Wheel offset2.64 in (67 mm)2.64 in (67 mm)
All-season tires3255/55 R18 105H M+S255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Winter tires3,4255/55 R18 105H M+S.255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
1USA only.2Canada only.3Radial-ply tires4Not available as factory equipment.

531 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 350 (Sport Package*)1
R 350 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 550 4MATIC (Sport Package*)2
R 320 CDI 4MATIC*
R350*1
R350 4MATIC*
R550 4MATIC*2
AMG rims (light alloy)8.5Jx19H28.5Jx20H2
Wheel offset2.52 in (64 mm)2.36 in (60 mm)
All-season tires1255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S –
Summer tires3 –265/45 ZR20 104Y
Winter tires3,4255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S. –
1USA only.2Canada only.3Radial-ply tires4Not available as factory equipment.

549 Index
D
Date display, Setting 176
Daytime running lamp mode 145
Setting 177
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 216, 230
Defrosting, Front 214, 229
Defrosting, Rear 207
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 179
Interior lighting 180
Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel engine
Bleeding fuel system 502
Preglow indicator lamp 29
Diesel fuel see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving 62
With starting 55
Digital speedometer 157, 165
Dimensions, Vehicle 534
Direction of rotation (tires) 365Displays
Digital speedometer 157, 165
Distronic* (Canada only) 168, 265
Maintenance service indicator
message 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 427–466
Multifunction display 157
Outside temperature 155, 157, 165
Selecting 175
Showing malfunctions 169
Symbol messages 444
Text messages 429
Vehicle status message memory 169
Vehicle system settings, Control
system 161, 163, 170
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 185
Distance warning function* (Canada
only) 185Distronic* (Canada only) 262
Activating 268
Cleaning system sensor 407
Control system 267
Deactivating 271
Distance warning function* 275
Driving hints 273
Messages in the multifunction
display 431
Warning and indicator lamps 265
Door
Entry lamps 153
Locking, In an emergency 475
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 113
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 110
Messages in the multifunction
display 452
Opening from the inside 118
Opening from the outside 112
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 328
Unlocking, Mechanical key 474
Door control panel 36
Door handle 36
Door windows see Power windows
DOT 388, 394