327 Controls in detail
Useful features
Compass
Calling up the compass
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the
AIRMATIC/Compass
menu
appears in the multifunction display.
The compass displays the direction
into which the vehicle is currently trav-
eling:
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or
NW.
Example for compass display on vehicles
equipped with AIRMATIC*
To make sure the display is correct, the
compass must be set to the proper geo-
graphic zone (
page 186). It may also be
necessary to calibrate the compass
(
page 187).
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
iIf your vehicle is not equipped with
AIRMATIC*, the multifunction display
will show the compass only.
iThe presence of buildings, bridges,
power lines and large antenna masts
can influence the displayed values.
Metallic or magnetic objects in or on
the vehicle can influence the accuracy
of the compass.iIf the compass is not calibrated or its
function is impaired by outside influ-
ences, the message
Compass - - -
appears in the multifunction display.
347 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system (R 500 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
The standard display (
page 168) should
appear in the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message appears in the multifunction
display:
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the indicator:
Engine oil level ok
Add 1.0 qt. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
1.0 liter
)
Add 1.5 qts. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
1.5 liters
)
Add 2.0 qts. to reach max. oil
level(Canada:
2.0 liters
)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see (
page 523).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 521) and
(
page 523).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2
in the starter switch, the following
message will appear:
Switch ignition on
to check engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
348 OperationEngine compartmentIf you see the message:Observe waiting period
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture, wait 30 minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.
If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at operating temperature, the following
message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 437).Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (R 350 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle also must
have been stationary for at least
5 minutes with the engine turned off
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
366 OperationTires and wheels
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.Run Flat Indicator (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.
The Run Flat Indicator may function in a re-
stricted manner or with a delay if:
snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle
winter road conditions prevail
you are driving on a loose surface (e.g.
sand or gravel)
you are driving in a very sporty manner
(involving rapid acceleration or high
speeds in curves)
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation
pressure with the tire gauge.
Warning!
G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire pressure Check tires
,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
der-inflated. You should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper tire inflation pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the
spare, should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.
368 OperationTires and wheels
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 168).
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pressure now OK?
If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
reactivated
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure
values for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or
Wait until the messageTire pressure now OK?disappears.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)
iThe T
ire P
ressure M
onitoring S
ystem
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination
low tire pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale in the instrument cluster
(
page 24). Depending on how the
telltale illuminates, it indicates a low
tire pressure condition or a malfunction
in the TPMS system itself:
If the telltale illuminates continu-
ously, one or more of your tires is
significantly underinflated. There is
no malfunction in the TPMS.
If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds
and then stays illuminated, the
TPMS system itself is not operating
properly.
371 Operation
Tires and wheels
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(page 168).
Press thej or kbutton repeat-
edly until you see the following
message:Tire pressure monitor
active
Reactivation possible:
R-button
Press the reset button (
page 158).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Check current
tire pressure?
Press the æbutton.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pressure monitor
reactivatedThe TPMS will now monitor the tire in-
flation pressure values of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press the çbutton.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure Moni-
toring System* (Advanced TPMS*),
(Canada only)
iReactivate the TPMS after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the infla-
tion pressure recommended for the
vehicle operating condition. Tire pres-
sure should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Observe the recommended tire
inflation pressure on the placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 357).
Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 364) or for vehicle
loads less than the maximum loaded
vehicle condition (
page 364). If such
information is provided, it can be found
on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
iThe Advanced T
ire P
ressure M
onitoring
S
ystem* (Advanced TPMS*) is
equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in
the instrument cluster (
page 24). De-
pending on how the telltale illuminates,
it indicates a low tire pressure condi-
tion or a malfunction in the TPMS sys-
tem itself:
If the telltale illuminates continu-
ously, one or more of your tires is
significantly underinflated. There is
no malfunction in the TPMS.
If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds
and then stays illuminated, the
TPMS system itself is not operating
properly.
372 OperationTires and wheelsThe TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display. The present inflation
pressures are displayed only after a few
minutes’ travel time.
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
Press thej or kbutton until
the current inflation pressures for each
tire appear in the multifunction display.iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
Usually the readings issued by the con-
trol system are more precise.
iWhen the message
Tire pressure
displayed only after driving a few
minutes
appears in the multifunction
display, the individual inflation pres-
sure values are matched with the tires.
The individual values are displayed af-
ter a few minutes driving.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
iWith a spare wheel without wheel sen-
sor mounted, the system may still indi-
cate the tire inflation pressure of the
removed wheel for some minutes. If
this happens, keep in mind that the in-
dicated value where the spare wheel is
mounted does not reflect the actual
spare tire inflation pressure.Warning!
G
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust tire inflation pressure according to
the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or, if
available, the supplemental tire pressure in-
formation on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care-
fully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers.
374 OperationTires and wheelsReactivating Advanced TPMS*
The TPMS must be reactivated when you
have adjusted the tire inflation pressure to
a new level (e.g. because of different load
or driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 357) or, if avail-
able, the supplemental tire pressure
information on the inside of the fuel
filler flap (
page 342), make sure the
tire inflation pressure of all four tires is
correct.
Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(page 168).
Press thej or kbutton repeat-
edly until you see the current inflation
pressures for each tire appear in the
display or the following message
appears in the multifunction display:Tire pressure displayed
only after driving
a few minutes
Press the reset button (
page 158).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Check current
tire pressure?
Press the æbutton.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pressure monitor
reactivatedThe TPMS will now monitor the tire in-
flation pressure values of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press the çbutton.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
iReactivate the TPMS after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the infla-
tion pressure recommended for the
vehicle operating condition. Tire pres-
sure should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Observe the recommended tire
inflation pressure on the placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 357).
Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 364) or for vehicle
loads less than the maximum loaded
vehicle condition (
page 364). If such
information is provided, it can be found
on the inside of the fuel filler flap.