2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R320CDI cruise control

Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 258
Opening and closing ..................... 258
Synchronizing ............................... 260
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 261
Roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 261
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 262
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding
panel ............................................ 264
Driving systems ................................. 266
Cruise control............................... 266
Distronic*..................................... 271
Distance warning function*.......... 284
AIRMATIC* ................................... 285
Parktronic* (Parking assist) ......... 291
Rear view camera* ....................... 295Loading .............................................. 297
Roof rack*.................................... 297
Loading instructions..................... 298
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 299
Hooks........................................... 300
Expanding cargo compartment .... 301
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 306
Partition net* ............................... 308
Useful features .................................. 311
Storage compartments ................ 311
Parcel nets ................................... 315
Cup holders.................................. 316
Ashtrays* ..................................... 319
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 321
Power outlets ............................... 322
Rear center console* ................... 323
Heated steering wheel* ............... 326
Telephone* .................................. 327
Tele Aid* ...................................... 330
Garage door opener* ................... 337
Compass ...................................... 342
Floormats ..................................... 343
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 351
Parking......................................... 351
Tires ............................................. 352
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 353
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 354
Standing water............................. 355
Passenger compartment .............. 356
Driving abroad ............................. 356
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 357
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) .......................... 357

25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever267
2Instrument cluster26
3Multifunction steering
wheel30
4Horn
5Steering wheel gearshift
buttons207
6Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission54
7Front Parktronic* warning
indicators293
8Overhead control panel33
9Glove box release
Glove box lock311
312
ItemPage
aGlove box
CD changer*
AUX-socket311
311
311
bCenter console31
cStarter switch39
dSteering wheel adjustment,
manual46
eSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical*47
Heated steering wheel*326
fHood lock release364
gParking brake release57
hParking brake pedal66
ItemPage
jDoor control panel36
kHeadlamp washer switch*212
lExterior lamp switch146
mCombination switch

Turn signals60

High beam59

Windshield wipers60

Rear window wiper62

104 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off the ESP®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the 4-ETS will still apply the brake to a
spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic* system

the cruise control or the Distronic*
system switch off if currently activatedThe ESP
® switch is located on the upper
part of the center console.
1ESP
® switch
With the engine running, press ESP®
switch1.
The ESP
®warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
!Switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lamp v in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.

266 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 266) and
Distronic* (
page 271), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Distance warning function*
(
page 284) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacles or slower moving vehicles
that you are closing in on too quickly.

AIRMATIC* (page 285) adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and controls the vehicle
level.

Parktronic* (page 291) and rear view
camera* (
page 295), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 100).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.

267 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resuming to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control when
the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:

when you brake

when you have set the parking brake

when the automatic transmission is set
to positionP, R, or N

if the ESP® is switched off

if the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses automatically when
the cruise control engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for
the vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedo-
meter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.

268 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2 (
page 267).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 267).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s
braking system. In addition, on longer downhill
grades the automatic transmission will down-
shift automatically.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off
automatically when

you step on the brake pedal

you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control switches off automatically and
an acoustic warning will sound when

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)

the ESP® is in operation

the ESP® is switched off with the ESP®
switch (
page 104)

the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction (
page 441)

you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.

269 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the set speed in two
ways.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up to
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 267).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in in-
crements of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
!Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the cruise control.
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 cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
iThe set speed value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever to the resistance point.
Warning!G
You can increase the vehicle speed in
5 mph (Canada 10 km/h) increments.
When using this feature, keep in mind that it
may take a brief moment until the vehicle
has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions permit.
Otherwise, sudden and unexpected acceler-
ation of the vehicle could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
iThe set speed value is increased in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time
you lift the cruise control lever past the
resistance point.

270 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up
past the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 267).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in
increments of 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h).
Setting a lower speed
You can reduce the set speed in two ways.Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down to the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 267).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in in-
crements of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
iThe set speed value is decreased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down to the resis-
tance point.
Warning!G
You can decrease the vehicle set speed in
5 mph (Canada 10 km/h) increments. When
using this feature, keep in mind that it may
take a brief moment until the vehicle has
reached the set speed.
Decelerate the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions permit.
Otherwise, sudden and unexpected deceler-
ation of the vehicle could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
iThe set speed value is decreased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down past the
resistance point.