2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 engine

290 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Highway level
Close all doors and the tailgate.
Start the engine (page 54).
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lampIf indicator lamp2 is on:
Press switch1 (page 289).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:When the highway level is reached, indica-
tor lamp2 goes out and the following
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play:
!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
underbody. Always make sure the vehicle has
sufficient ground clearance before adjusting it
to a lower level.
iThe messages can be cleared by pressing
buttonæ orç on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel.
iThe vehicle level is set to highway level auto-
matically when the vehicle speed is exceeding
25 mph (40 km/h).

291 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during
parking maneuvers. It visually and audibly
indicates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and

release the parking brake
and

set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orNThe Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds, the Parktronic system turns on
again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sen-
sors in the front bumper and four sensors
in the rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumper
Warning!G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(
page 414).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

320 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing ashtray insert
Grip ashtray insert 2 on the sides and
pull it out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Insert ashtray insert 2 and push down
until the ball catch engages.
Close ashtray cover plate 1.Rear seat ashtray (second row)
Opening the ashtray
1Ashtray cover
2Ashtray insert
Open ashtray cover 1 (page 312).
Press ashtray cover 1 down in
direction of arrow as far as it will go.Removing ashtray insert
Open ashtray cover 1.
Press ashtray cover 1 down in
direction of arrow as far as it will go.
1Ashtray cover
2Ashtray insert
Push on ashtray insert 2 and pull it
out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Insert ashtray insert 2 into opening.
Push down ashtray insert 2 until it
engages.
Close ashtray cover 1.
Warning!G
Remove ashtray insert only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Set auto-
matic transmission toP. With the automatic
transmission set toP, turn off the engine.
iVehicles with rear center console*
(
page 323) are not equipped with an ashtray
in front of the second-row seats.
!Close the ashtray when not in use and be-
fore folding the second-row seats.

321 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter*
Switch on the ignition (page 39).1Cover plate
2Cigarette lighter
Open cover plate1 (page 319).
Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Take out cigarette lighter2.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do injure themselves or start a fire with
the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!The lighter socket can accommodate 12V
DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum of
85 W) designed for use with the standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, however,
that connecting accessories to the lighter socket
(for example extensive connecting and discon-
necting, or using plugs that do not fit properly)
can damage the lighter socket. With the socket
damaged, the lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) position, or the
lighter may pop out too early with the lighter not
hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the
12V power outlets (
page 322) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
!The cigarette lighter is not designed for use
with the electric air pump (
page 501). Use a
power outlet (
page 322) for electric air pump
operation.
iIf the engine is off, and the cigarette lighter
is being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.

322 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outletsPower outlets are located

in the additional storage compartment
in front center console (
page 322)

in the second-row footwell
(
page 323)

on the right-hand side of the cargo
compartment (
page 323)Power outlet in front center console
1Cover plate
2Power outlet cover
Open cover plate1 (page 312).
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Pull out cover 2 and insert electrical
plug (cigarette lighter type).
!If you use all power outlets in the vehicle,
make sure that the maximum current drawn
does not exceed 55 A.
iThe power outlets can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 240 W.
If the engine is off and the power outlets are
being used extensively, the vehicle battery may
become discharged.
iYou can use the power outlets in the cargo
compartment or in the second seat row even if
the ignition is switched off.
An emergency shut-off feature ensures that the
vehicle’s electrical voltage does not fall below a
minimum level. If the voltage drops to this mini-
mum level, the power outlets are automatically
switched off. This ensures that enough power
remains to start the engine.
iIf your vehicle is equipped with a smoking
package*, the storage compartment contains an
ashtray with cigarette lighter (
page 319)
instead.

327 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an
approved external antenna. Refer to the
radio transmitter operation instructions
regarding use of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone
using the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND system (see separate operat-
ing instructions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 160)

Voice Control* (see separate operating
instructions)
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system,
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle.
A driver’s attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we
recommend that you pull over to a safe loca-
tion and stop before placing or taking a
telephone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND system
1 if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be
installed in the front center armrest, see
separate installation instructions for the mobile
phone cradle. These mobile phone cradles can
be obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for
instructions on how to use the mobile phone.

338 Controls in detail
Useful features
Programming the integrated remote
control
Step 1:
Switch on the ignition (page 39).Step 2:
If you have previously programmed a
signal transmitter button and wish to
retain its programming, proceed to
step 3.
If you are programming the integrated
remote control for the first time,
press and hold the two outer signal
transmitter buttons2 and4 and
release them only when indicator
lamp1 begins to flash after approxi-
mately 20 seconds (do not hold the
button for longer than 30 seconds).
This procedure erases any previous
settings for all three channels and ini-
tializes the memory.
If you later wish to program a second
and/or third hand-held transmitter to
the remaining two signal transmitter
buttons, do not repeat this step and
begin directly with step 3.Warning!G
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent po-
tential harm or damage. When programming
a garage door opener, the door moves up or
down. When programming a gate operator,
the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control
with any garage door opener that lacks
safety stop and reverse features as required
by U.S. federal safety standards (this
includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982).
A garage door that cannot detect an object
– signaling the door to stop and reverse –
does not meet current U.S. federal safety
standards.
When programming a garage door opener,
park the vehicle outside the garage.
Do not run the engine while programming
the integrated remote control. Inhalation of
exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All
exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide
(CO), and inhaling it can cause unconscious-
ness and possible death.

345 Operation
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care