281 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following
distance for Distronic by varying the time
setting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Us-
ing this time setting and the current speed
of your vehicle, Distronic calculates and
sets the required following distance to the
preceding vehicle. The set distance will be
shown in the multifunction display
(
page 276).
The distance setting switch for the time
setting is located on the cruise control
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column.
1Distance setting switch
2To decrease distance
3To increase distance
Warning!G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h)
by operation of the system. At that time the
driver must apply the brakes in order to
reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to
astop.
!Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the Distronic. However, the
automatic transmission should not be set toN
while driving except to coast when the vehicle is
in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the Distronic. After a brief accelera-
tion (e.g. for passing), the Distronic will resume
the last set speed.
Warning!G
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving recom-
mendations for safe following distance.
354 Operation
Driving instructions
R320 CDI, R350, R500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
R350, R500 (with Sport Package*)
R350, R500 (with AMG rims*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km/h)
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).R63AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
R 63 AMG with increased top speed*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
171 mph (275 km/h).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
shift the automatic transmission to
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
iFor information on speed ratings for winter
tires, see “Winter tires” (
page 405).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on the tire sidewall, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 403).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 406).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
436 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSunavailable
See Operator’s ManualIf the yellow ESP® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes
out.
The self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise
control and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperativeThe cruise control is malfunctioning.Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Cruise
control––– mphYou have attempted to set a
speed while driving below
20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 266).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 105).
The automatic transmission is set to
position P, R, or N.Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 197).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.Release the parking brake (page 57).
550 Index
Climate control 218
Air conditioning, Cooling 228
Air conditioning refrigerant 540
Air distribution 223
Air recirculation mode 226
Air vents, Front 218, 224
Air vents, Rear 230
Air volume 224
Control panel, Front 220
Control panel, Rear 230
Deactivating system 222
Defogging 225
Defrosting 224
Rear passenger compartment 229
Residual heat utilization (REST) 229
Clock 26, 181
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 401
Collapsible tire 475, 534
Collapsible wheel chock 475
Combination switch 59, 60, 62, 150
Compass 342
Control system 186
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 357Control system 159
Multifunction display 159
Multifunction steering wheel 160
Resetting to factory default 176
Control system menus 162
AIRMATIC*/Compass 174
AMG Menu 168
AUDIO 171
Distance warning function* 191
Distronic* 174
Navi* 173
Settings 176
Standard display 166
TEL* 193
Trip computer 191
Vehicle status message memory 174
Control system submenus 163, 165
Comfort* 189
Instrument cluster 179
Lighting 183
Time/Date 181
Vehicle 186Coolant 370, 539, 543
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 543
Capacities 539
Checking coolant level 370
Messages in the multifunction
display 455–457
Temperature 359
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 151
Fog lamps, Front 149
Messages in the multifunction
display 464
Replacing bulbs 484, 485
Cruise control 266
Activating 267
Messages in the multifunction
display 436
Cup holders 316
Front center console 316
Rear center console 318
Curb weight 401
552 Index
Door control panel 36
Door handle 36
Door windows see Power windows
DOT 396, 401
Drinking and driving 347
Driving 51
Abroad 356
Hydroplaning 352
In winter 354, 405
Instructions 51, 347
Problems 63
Safety systems 100
Systems 266
Through standing water 355
With Distronic* 282
Driving off 58
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 106
ABS 100
BAS 102
EBP 105
ESP
®102Driving systems 266
AIRMATIC* 285
Cruise control 266
Distronic* 271
Parktronic* 291
Rear view camera* 295
Driving tips 203
Kickdown 203
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 132
Control system 190
EBP 105
Indicator and warning lamps 422
Electric air pump 502
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 535
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency calls
Tele Aid* 331Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 514
First aid kit 472
Flat tire 497
Fuses 520
Hazard warning flasher 152
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 420–428
Roadside Assistance 12, 333
Towing the vehicle 517
Emergency operation
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 478
Power tilt/sliding sunroof,
Manual operation* 481
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 336
Tailgate, Opening from the
inside 123
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 211
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
559 Index
display messages
Microphone, Hands-free 33
Mirrors
Adjusting 48
Auto-dimming* 213
Exterior rear view mirrors 49
Interior rear view mirror 48, 212
Mobile phone see Telephone*
MON 542
Multicontour seats* 136
Multifunction display 159
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Selecting language 179
Standard display 163
Multifunction display
messages 433–471
ABS 435, 442
AIRMATIC* 470–471
Brake fluid 454
Brake pads 452Coolant 455–457
Cruise control 436
Doors 460
EBP 453
Engine coolant 455–457
Engine oil 366, 367, 458
ESP
®436, 441, 442
Fog lamps, Front* 464
Fog lamps, Rear 466
Front passenger front air
bag 445–448
Fuel cap 460
Gear selector lever 443
Headlamps 463–468
Hood 460
Key, SmartKey 462
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 461, 462
Lamps 465
Lamps, exterior 463
Low tire pressure 449
Parking brake 443, 453
Parking lamps 466SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 461
SRS 444
Tele Aid* 469
Telephone* 469
Windshield washer fluid 469
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 160
Button operation 160
N
Navigation system* 173
See separate COMAND system operat-
ing instructions
Net, Parcel 315
Net, Partition* 308
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 197, 201
New vehicle, Break-in period 346
Night security illumination 149, 185
Normal occupant weight 402
Number, Vehicle Identification
(VIN) 526, 527
563 Index
Seats 132
Adjusting 43
Easy entry/exit feature 132
Heating* 142
Memory function* 144
Multicontour seat* 136
Ventilation* 143
Securing cargo 299
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
Lamps in the instrument cluster 420
OCS 93
Tele Aid* 331
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see Maintenance, Service
indicator 409
Service life
Tires 374
Vehicle battery 506
Service, Parts 524
Service see Maintenance
Service system see FSS PLUS
(Canada vehicles) or
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)Settings
AIRMATIC* 285
Clock 181
Comfort functions* 189
Control system menus 162, 164
Control system submenus 163, 165,
177
Date 181, 182
Distance warning function* 191
Factory, SmartKey 113
Factory, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 119
Individual, Vehicle 176
Instrument cluster 179
Language, multifunction display 180
Lighting 183
Memory function* 144
Resetting all, Control system 176
Selective, SmartKey 114
Selective, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 119
Time 181
Vehicle level control* 286
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 206Shifting, Automatic transmission 197
Side impact air bags 78
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 413
Messages in the multifunction
display 466
Replacing bulbs 484, 485
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 403
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey 112
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 116
Snow chains 406
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare fuses 472
Spare wheel 475, 534
Inflating 501
Mounting 498
Wheel bolts 472, 500
Speed settings
Cruise control 270
Distronic* 277
Speedometer 27
Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation