2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 suspension

269 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 265).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5seconds.
AIRMATIC*
AIRMATIC lets you set a suspension tuning
and automatically optimizes your vehicle’s
damping behavior and regulates the
vehicle level. The system consists of two
components:

Suspension tuning:
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(page 269)


Vehicle level control* (
page 270)Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
The fine tuning of the damping is depen-
dent on:


road surface conditions


your driving style


your personal settings
The ADS switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1ADS switch
2Indicator lamp for SPORT setting
3Indicator lamp for COMF setting
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.

270 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following settings are available:

AUTO (for normal driving situations)
Indicator lamps2 and3 are off.


SPORT (for sporty driving)
Indicator lamp2 comes on.


COMF (for comfort driving)
Indicator lamp3 comes on.

Start the engine (
page 53).

Press ADS switch1 repeatedly until
the desired suspension tuning is
reached.Vehicle level control*
The vehicle level control automatically
regulates the ride height to


reduce fuel consumption


improve driving safety
The vehicle begins adjusting to the set
vehicle level as soon as the doors or tail-
gate are


unlocked
or


opened or closed with the vehicle
unlocked
For major changes in vehicle level, the
engine must be running.
iThe setting is stored when you turn off
the engine.
iChanges to the vehicle level should be
made while the vehicle is moving. The
vehicle will then reach the set level as
fast as possible.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you lower
the vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs
could become wedged into or under the
vehicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door or
the tailgate is opened and will continue after
the door is closed again.Warning!
G
Adapt your speed and driving to possible
changed driving behavior of the vehicle after
changing the vehicle level. The ESP
® cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed. The ESP
® cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.

271 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Basic settings
There are two setting from which to
choose:

Raised level, for driving on rough roads


Highway level, for driving on paved
roads in fair or better conditionCompared to the highway level, the vehicle
level changes by


+ 1.97 in (+ 50 mm) in raised level


+/- 0 in (+ 0 mm) in highway level


- 0.78 in (- 20 mm) in highspeed level
The vehicle lowers to highspeed level auto-
matically when


the vehicles speed exceeds
70 mph (112 km/h)


the vehicles speed is between
60 mph (96 km/h) and
70 mph (112 km/h) for longer than 20
seconds
!Keep in mind that in rough or uneven
roads, adjusting the vehicle to a lower
level may cause the vehicle underbody
to come in contact with the road and
result in damage to the vehicle under-
body. Always make sure the vehicle
has sufficient ground clearance before
adjusting it to a lower level.!Before jacking up the vehicle with
equipment that lifts one or more of the
wheels completely off the ground,
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.!Please also note the information in the
section on towing (
page 499).
iThe activation threshold is defined by
the set suspension tuning
(page 269).
iThe high-speed level is not available
when towing a trailer.iThe third available level is the
highspeed level that is set automatical-
ly.
iObey local speed limits. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

499 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with the SmartKey in starter
switch turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 101),
tow-away alarm (
page 107) and the
automatic central locking
(
page 130).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicles with all wheels on the ground.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the automatic transmis-
sion must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km / h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position1). Otherwise, the
4-ETS may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control.

501 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolts
The front towing eye is located behind a
cover on the passenger side below the
front bumper.
1Towing eye cover
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged, the automatic transmission
will remain locked in positionP and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 487) and “Jump starting”
(
page 496).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the ignition in position2
(page 38), the vehicle doors lock if
the left front wheel is turning at a speed
of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 130).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 107).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never
attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod
to vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.