2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 Owner's Manual

288 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Basic settings (R 63 AMG only)
There are two settings from which to
choose:

Raised level, for driving on rough roads

Highway level, for driving on paved
roads in fair or better condition
For information on ADS settings AUTO,
SPORT, or COMF, see “Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)*” (
page 286).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
iThe third available level is the highspeed
level that is set automatically.
iThe vehicle will be lowered by
0.87 in (22 mm) after the engine is turned off.
From the raised level, the vehicle will not be not
lowered after the engine is turned off.
When the engine is started, the previously
selected setting is selected again.
iObey local speed limits. Use prudent driving
speeds appropriate to prevailing conditions.
ADS AUTOADS SPORTADS COMF
Raised level+ 1.69 in (+ 43 mm)+ 1.69 in (+ 43 mm)+ 1.69 in (+ 43 mm)
Highway level+/- 0- 0.28 in (- 7 mm)+ 0.20 in (+ 5 mm)
Highspeed level+/- 0- 0.28 in (- 7 mm)+/- 0

289 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Raised level
Only choose the raised level when the road
conditions permit. Otherwise:

Fuel consumption may increase.

Handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable.
Start the engine (page 54).The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp2 is off:
Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:When the raised level is reached, indicator
lamp2 comes on continuously and the
following message appears in the multi-
function display:
iYou can select the raised level at vehicle
speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h). At a higher
vehicle speed, the message
n
Level selection not permitted
appears in the multifunction display.
iThe messages can be cleared by pressing
buttonæ orç on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel.

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.

292 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 414).Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no
longer be indicated by the system.
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches).
The Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
Centerapprox. 8 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 6 in (15 cm)

293 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the sensors and
an obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is located in the rear
overhead control panel.
Front area warning indicator
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicatorsEach warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is ready when the yellow readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The current transmission position deter-
mines which warning indicator will be
activated.As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
seventh distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionP or the
parking brake is set.

Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionD, P, or
the parking brake is set.
Transmission
positionWarning indicator
DFront area activated
R or NFront and rear area
activated
PNeither activated

294 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the
upper part of the center console.
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp
Switching off
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.Switching on
Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 39).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 414).
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 39).

295 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear view camera*
Warning!G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are

very close to the rear bumper

under the rear bumper

above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.
Warning!G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Warning!G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if

the tailgate is open

it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy

it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark

the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light

the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)

there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated
garage from the cold (lens condensa-
tion)

the camera lens is dirty or covered

the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and set-
ting of the camera checked by a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
contact a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.