2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 reAR AC

391 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 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.


Snow chains should only be used on all
four wheels. With only two chains avail-
able, they should be mounted on the
rear wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized 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.
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.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel.iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 101) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.

398 OperationVehicle careHand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. 
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
!If you want the gear position to remain
inN (for example when the vehicle is
pulled through a car wash)


do not remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*


do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button*
and open the driver’s door
Otherwise, the transmission will shift
toP and lock the wheels, preventing
the vehicle from being pulled through a
car wash.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to0 (
page 59). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 400). This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure
that the mirrors are folded out. Other-
wise they may vibrate.

400 OperationVehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Fold wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the
sensor covers. Applying strong pres-
sure may damage the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on main-
taining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.!To prevent scratches, never apply
strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty
sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status
0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch or
pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!To clean the window interior, do not
use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or
cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the inside of the front, rear or
side windows with hard objects such as
an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.

401 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel* has
a protective layer on the inside. 
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.
Plastic and rubber parts

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
!Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, sol-
vents or cleaners containing solvents.
Do not touch the protective layer with
hard objects such as an ice scraper or
ring. Never apply strong force and only
use a soft, non-scratching cloth when
cleaning the rear part of the tilt/sliding
panel*.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage
the protective layer.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning. To do so,
please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
disks. !Do not use oil or wax on these parts.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

402 OperationVehicle careHard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel

Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.Headliner and rear window shelf

Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham-
poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts

Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.Wood trims

Dampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use damp
cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.
!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.
!The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry
the webbing at temperatures above
176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
!Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.

423 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible
cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front passenger airbag
enabled
see Operator’s Manual
Front passenger front
air bag is activated
while driving even
though a child, small
individual, or object
below the system’s
weight threshold is on
the front passenger
seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty.
Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the
seat may make the
system sense supple-
mental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front passen-
ger seat for the following:
Turn off the ignition (
page 38).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly secure
the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat and
make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat is empty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g. ob-
jects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the seat, head re-
straints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize such forces as
supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the front passenger seat
is of a heavier weight than actually present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and turn on the igni-
tion (
page 38).
(Continued on next page)

442 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
3rd brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light
emitting diodes have stopped
working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, left
Substitute bulb on
The left brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is
being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp, right
Substitute bulb on
The right brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is
being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Drive to workshop
Brake lamp illumination is de-
layed or lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The display for the lamps or the
system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp,
left
The left front fog lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglamp,
right
The right front fog lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear fog lamp
The rear fog lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

446 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Tail lamp, left
Substitute bulb on
The left tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. A substitute bulb is being
used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Tail lamp, right
Substitute bulb on
The right tail lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is
being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, rear left
Substitute bulb on
The left rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, rear right
Substitute bulb on
The right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, front left
Substitute bulb on
The left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, front right
Substitute bulb on
The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.