ContentsLoading .............................................. 279
Roof rack* .................................... 279
Loading instructions ..................... 280
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 281
Hooks ........................................... 282
Expanding cargo compartment .... 283
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 288
Partition net* ............................... 290
Useful features .................................. 294
Storage compartments................. 294
Parcel nets ................................... 298
Cup holders .................................. 299
Ashtrays* ..................................... 302
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 305
Power outlets ............................... 306
Rear center console* ................... 308
Telephone*................................... 310
Tele Aid* ...................................... 311
Garage door opener* ................... 320
Compass ...................................... 327
Floormats* ................................... 328
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 328
Operation......................................... 329
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 330
Driving instructions............................ 331
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 331
Drinking and driving ..................... 331
Pedals .......................................... 331
Power assistance ......................... 331
Brakes .......................................... 332
Driving off .................................... 333
Parking ......................................... 334
Tires ............................................. 334
Hydroplaning ................................ 335
Tire traction.................................. 335
Tire speed rating .......................... 336
Winter driving instructions ........... 337
Standing water ............................. 338
Passenger compartment .............. 338
Driving abroad.............................. 339
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 339
Catalytic converter ....................... 340
Emission control .......................... 340
Coolant temperature .................... 341At the gas station .............................. 342
Refueling ...................................... 342
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 343
Engine compartment ......................... 345
Hood ............................................ 345
Engine oil ..................................... 346
Transmission fluid level................ 350
Coolant level ................................ 351
Windshield / rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system* ....................................... 352
Tires and wheels................................ 353
Important guidelines .................... 353
Tire care and maintenance........... 354
Direction of rotation..................... 356
Loading the vehicle ...................... 356
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 363
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 365
Tire labeling ................................. 375
Load identification ....................... 380
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 380
Maximum tire load ....................... 382
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 382
165 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Airmatic/
Compass
Vehicle status message
memory
(page 168)
(page 170)
(page 172)
(page 172)
(page 173)
Commands/submenusTrip- and main odometer
Selecting radio station
Show route guidance
instructions, current
direction traveled
Airmatic*
Calling up vehicle malfunction,
warning and system status
messages stored in memory
Checking tire inflation pressure*
Selecting satellite ra-
dio station* (USA only)
Compass
Checking coolant temperature
Operating CD player
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperatureCalling up maintenance service
indicatorChecking engine oil leveliThe headings used in the menus table
are designed to facilitate navigation
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the
control system displays. The first func-
tion displayed in each menu will auto-
matically show you which part of the
system you are in.
168 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until the
standard display appears.
You can select the functions in the
standard display menu with
buttonkorj.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
Function
Page
Checking tire inflation pressure*
371
Checking coolant temperature
168
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature
169
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
393
Checking engine oil level
(R 500 only)
347
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
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.
538 IndexCatalytic converter 340
CD player
Operating 171
CD-changer* 294
Center console 29
Lower part 30
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 414
Upper part 29
Central locking
Automatic 130
Switch 131
Switching on/off (control
system) 188
Unlocking from inside 131
Central locking switch 131
Certification label 510
Changing
SmartKey setting 189
Charging
Vehicle battery 495
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 407, 408Checking
Coolant level 351
Oil level 346
Tire inflate pressure 344
Vehicle lighting 344
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Advanced TPMS*) 371
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) 368
Child safety 82
Air bags 72
Infant and child restraint systems 78,
82
LATCH child seat mounts 92
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 303
Cigarette lighter* 305Cleaning
Headlamps 208
Headliner 402
Light alloy wheels 401
Plastic and rubber parts 402
Steering wheel 402
Windows 400
Windshield 60
Cleaning tires 355
Climate control 216
Adjusting 222
Adjusting air volume 222
deactivating 220
Front defroster 223
Rear passenger compartment 228
Setting the temperature 222
Clock 180
Closing
Glove box 294
Hood 346
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof 260
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 462
Side windows 249
Tailgate 124, 128, 129
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 255
Windows 248
542 IndexEngine malfunction indicator lamp 407,
433
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (Cana-
da only) 27
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (USA
only) 27
Engine number 530
Engine oil 346, 523
Adding 349
Additives 523
Checking level 346
Consumption 346
Display messages 437–438
Messages in display 347, 437–438
Viscosity 530
ESP
®
25, 99, 530
Switching off 101
Switching on 102
Warning lamp 409
ETD 530
Safety guidelines 74
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 80
Extending cargo compartment 283
Exterior mirrors
Folding 211Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 48
Power folding* 211
Synchronizing 211
F
Fastening the seat belts 50
First aid kit 454
Flat tire 478
Lowering the vehicle 485
Preparing the vehicle 479
Spare wheel 457
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS
PLUS) 530
Floormats* 328
Fluid level
Automatic transmission 350
Fog lamp, rear
Switching on 151
Fog lamps, front*
Messages in display 442
Replacing bulbs 466
Switching on 151
Folding
Exterior mirrors 2114-ETS 102
Front air bags 75
Front defroster 223, 238
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 147
Front lamps
Messages in display 442
Replacing bulbs 466, 468
Front seats
Head restraints 44
Front towing eye 501
Front wiper blades
Installing 476, 477
Removing 475
FSS PLUS (Flexible Service System
PLUS) 530
Fuel 343
Additives 525
Fuel reserve warning lamp 409
Gasoline additives 525
Premium unleaded gasoline 343,
524
Requirements 524
Fuel additives 525
Fuel cap
Message in display 439