Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 497
Preparing the vehicle.................... 497
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 498
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 505
Battery ............................................... 506
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and reconnecting
the battery.................................... 508
Charging the battery .................... 513
Jump starting ..................................... 514
Towing the vehicle ............................. 517
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 518
Stranded vehicle .......................... 519
Fuses ................................................. 520
Fuse box in engine
compartment................................ 521
Fuse box in cargo compartment ... 521
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 522
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 522
Technical data................................. 523
Parts service ...................................... 524
Warranty coverage............................. 525
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 525
Identification labels ........................... 526
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 528
R 320 CDI .................................... 528
R 350 ........................................... 528
R 500 ........................................... 528
R 63 AMG..................................... 529
Engine................................................ 530
Rims and tires.................................... 532
Same size tires ............................. 533
Spare wheel (collapsible tire) ....... 534
Electrical system ............................... 535
Main Dimensions ............................... 536
Weights.............................................. 537Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 538
Capacities .................................... 538
Engine oils ................................... 540
Engine oil additives ...................... 540
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 540
Brake fluid.................................... 541
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine) .......................... 541
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine) .......................... 542
Fuel requirements ........................ 542
Coolants ...................................... 543
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning* system......... 546
Index................................................. 547
420 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP®, EBP, and 4-ETS
are also switched off (see messages in multi-
function display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 433).
Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again and
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and
the battery checked.
442 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPunavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® was deactivated because
of insufficient power supply. The
charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
®
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ESP® is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
If 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 been
completed yet.The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
513 Practical hints
Battery
Connect the positive lead to the posi-
tive terminal and fasten it’s cover
(
page 512).
Connect the negative lead to the nega-
tive terminal (
page 512).
Charging the battery
If the battery is discharged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start contacts
located in the engine compartment
(
page 515).
Charge the battery in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to disconnection):
Set the clock (page 181).
Vehicles with COMAND system with naviga-
tion module*: Time and date are set auto-
matically.
Synchronize the door windows
(
page 254).
Synchronize the power tilt/sliding sunroof*
(
page 260).
Synchronize the power tilt/sliding panel*
(
page 264).
Synchronize the power folding exterior rear
view mirrors* (
page 214).
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
548 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 232
Air conditioning, Cooling 243
Air conditioning refrigerant 540
Air distribution 238
Air recirculation mode 240
Air vents, Front 232, 238
Air vents, Rear 245, 249
Air volume 239
Control panel, Front 234
Control panel, Rear 245
Deactivating system 236
Defogging 240
Defrosting 239
Maximum cooling, MAX COOL 240
Rear passenger compartment 245
Residual heat utilization (REST) 244
Automatic headlamp mode 147
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 154
Automatic locking when driving 130
Automatic shift program 206Automatic transmission 197
Accelerator position 203
Automatic shift program 206
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 211
Gear ranges 205
Gear selector lever 54, 197
Gear shifting malfunctions 211
Hill start assist system 204
Kickdown 203
Kickdown, manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only) 211
Manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only) 209
Program mode selector switch 206
Shifting procedure 200
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 207
Transmission fluid level 370
Transmission positions 201
Automatic transmission fluid see ATF
AUX-socket 311B
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 136
Seat, Multicontour* 136
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 463–468
Replacing bulbs 484
Bar 401
BAS 102
Lamps in instrument cluster 420
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 112, 116
Checking battery condition 115, 120
Battery, Vehicle 506
Charging 513
Disconnecting and connecting 508
Jump starting 514
Removing and installing 508
Bead 401