Page 167 of 570

166 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard 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.
Press buttonkorj to select 
the functions in the standard display 
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Checking tire inflation pressure382
Checking coolant temperature166
Calling up digital speedometer or 
outside temperature167
Calling up maintenance service 
indicator409
Checking engine oil level 
(R 500 only)366
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have 
leaked into the engine compartment to 
catch fire. You could be seriously 
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns which can occur 
just by opening the hood. Stay away 
from the engine if you see or hear steam 
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from 
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of 
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle 
until the engine has cooled down. 
     
        
        Page 360 of 570

359 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant 
temperature may rise to approximately 
248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated 
with the coolant temperature above 
248°F (120°C). Doing so may cause seri-
ous engine damage which is not covered 
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to 
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon 
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas 
(such as a garage) which are not properly 
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas 
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, 
have the cause determined and corrected 
immediately. If you must drive under these 
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have 
leaked into the engine compartment to 
catch fire. You could be seriously 
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the engine hood. Stay away 
from the engine if you see or hear steam 
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until the 
engine has cooled down. 
     
        
        Page 411 of 570

410 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to main-
tain the value of your vehicle. The best way 
to protect your vehicle from harmful envi-
ronmental influences is to wash it and use 
protective treatments regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your 
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the vehicle 
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by 
extreme and varying climatic conditions, 
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of 
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to 
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust 
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to 
time for stone chipping or other damage. 
Any damage should be repaired as soon as 
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody 
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody 
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body 
cavities which will last for the lifetime of 
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is 
neither necessary nor recommended by 
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. 
Some are poisonous, others are flammable. 
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s 
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and 
keep them out of reach of children. 
     
        
        Page 457 of 570

456 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operation conditions and 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature in the 
multifunction display (
page 166).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center 
immediately.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated can 
cause some fluids which may have leaked 
into the engine compartment to catch fire. 
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause 
serious burns and can occur just by opening 
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine 
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle 
and do not stand near the vehicle until the 
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with the 
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C). 
Doing so may cause serious damage which is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 539 of 570

538 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective 
lubricants must match. Therefore use only 
products tested and approved by 
Mercedes Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved 
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at 
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of 
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterR320CDI
R350
R500
R63AMG9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
10.1 US qt (9.6 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission9.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case0.53 US qt (0.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Front axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil 
     
        
        Page 554 of 570

553 Index
Emission control 358
Information label 527
System warranties 10
Vacuum routing diagram label 527
Engine
Belt layout 528
Break-in recommendations 346
Cleaning 412
Compartment 364
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 423
Maximum engine speed 157, 530
Number 527
Starting 54
Tachometer 29, 157
Technical data 530
Turning off 67
Engine coolant see CoolantEngine oil 366, 540
Adding 369, 540
Additives 540
Changing 369, 540
Checking level 366
Checking level, Control system 366
Checking level, Dipstick 368
Consumption 366
Filler neck 369
Messages in the multifunction 
display 366, 367, 458
Recommended engine oils and 
filters 540
ESP
®102
Messages in the multifunction 
display 441–442
Warning lamp 27, 425
ETD 82
Safety guidelines 76
Extending cargo compartment 301
Exterior rear view mirrors 48, 212
Power folding* 214
Synchronizing 214F
Fastening the seat belts 51
Filler neck, Engine oil 369
First aid kit 472
Flat tire 497
Collapsible tire 475, 500, 534
Jacking up the vehicle 498
Lowering the vehicle 503
Mounting the spare wheel 500
Preparing the vehicle 498
Spare wheel 475, 500, 534
Floormats 343
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 370, 
538
Brake fluid 362, 538, 541
Capacities 538
Engine coolant 362, 370, 539, 543
Engine oil 366, 538, 540
Power steering fluid 538
Windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning* system 372, 539