2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV ABS

Driving sys
tems 140 Driving systems
Overview of driving systems
The vehicle's driving systems are described
on the following pages:
R Cruise control, Distronic* and Speedtronic,
which are used to control the speed of the
vehicle
R The rear axle level control*, which regu-
lates the vehicle level at the rear axle
R AIRMATIC package*, consisting of level
control* for individual adjustment of
ground clearance and ADS* (Adaptive
Damping System), for individual adjust-
ment of suspension tuning
R 4*MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive), for
optimum traction
R Parktronic*, which assists you in parking
and manoeuvring
R Reversing camera*, which assists you
when parking and manoeuvring
The ABS, BAS, ESP ®
, EBV vehicle safety sys-
tems and the distance warning system* are
described in the "Safety" section
(Y page 58). Cruise control
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must
select shift range 1,2or 3in good time. By
doing so you will make use of the braking
effect of the engine, which relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
Risk of accident
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to
assist driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time.
G
Risk of accident
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do
not allow you to maintain a constant
speed (e.g. heavy traffic or winding
roads). You could otherwise cause an
accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerat-
ing could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
fog, heavy rain or snow
Cruise control lever You can operate cruise control and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Cruise control is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected. Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
191
X
Fold backrest 3forwards into a horizontal
position.
Enlarging the luggage compartment
fully G
Risk of injury
Folding down the seats in the 2nd row of
seats, in combination with folding the seats
in the 3rd row of seats, serves the purpose
of fully enlarging the luggage compartment.
Vehicle occupants in the 3rd row of seats
must not use the folded-down seats of the
2nd row of seats as a footrest.
Vehicle occupants in the 3rd row of seats
must not use the folded-down seats of the
2nd row of seats as a table or stowage
space, e. g. for drinks or items of luggage.
Otherwise:
R they could suffer serious or fatal head
injuries
R they or others could be injured by objects
being thrown around:
if you brake suddenly, change direction
abruptly or have an accident. Make absolutely sure that you adhere to the
specified folding order when fully enlarging
the luggage compartment.
Folding the middle seat in the 2nd row of
seats
!
On vehicles with a short wheelbase, the
head restraint must be removed before the
centre seat is folded. You could otherwise
damage the head restraint or the centre
console. X
Fold the centre seat to the armrest position
(Y page 81). Armrest position
1
Seat release loop
2 Seat
X Pull release loop 1in the direction of the
arrow and hold it securely.
The seat is released and folds up.
X Press seat 2further down until the front
of the seat engages in the luggage com-
partment floor position. Controls
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Loading and stowing
1931
Backrest release handle
2 Retainer for the seat belt
3 Backrest
X Clamp the seat belt behind retainer 2.
X Pull release handle 1of backrest 3
upwards in the direction of the arrow.
Backrest 3is released.
X Fold backrest 3slowly forwards.
Seat cushion 7(3rd row of seats) is
released and moves automatically to a ver-
tical position. 3
Backrest (3rd row of seats)
4 Recess (on backrest in 2nd row of seats)
5 Guide pin (on backrest in 3rd row of seats)
6 Backrest (2nd row of seats)
7 Seat cushion (3rd row of seats)
8 Loop
i Loop 8can be used to pull the backrests
of the 3rd row of seats upright when the
seats are moved into the original position
(Y page 81).
X After it has been moved to a vertical posi-
tion automatically, fold seat cushion 7
further forwards until it reaches a horizon-
tal position. Make sure that guide pin 5of seat cushion
7(3rd row of seats) catches
fully in recess 4of backrest 6.
X Fold backrest 3forwards into a horizontal
position.
Moving the seats back into the driving
position G
Risk of injury
Ensure that the seats are locked and the
backrests are in the upright position before
driving.
The outer seats in the 2nd row are only
locked if the lock verification indicator is
folded in and the indicator area is barely
visible.
If the backrests are not locked, they could
fold forwards in case of sudden braking, a
sudden change of direction or an accident.
This means that they cannot provide the
intended level of restraint, and could cause
additional serious or even fatal injury.
Make absolutely sure that you reset the seats
to the driving position in the specified order.
Resetting seats in the 3rd row of seats
! Make absolutely sure that you reset the
seats to the driving position in the specified Controls
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Tyres and wheels
224
X
Add windscreen washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. G
Risk of fire
Windscreen washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when windscreen washer
concentrate is being handled.
Use
R a windscreen washer fluid additive
such as MB Summerwash to prevent
smearing (for temperatures above freez-
ing).
R a windscreen washer fluid additive with
antifreeze properties such as MB Winter-
wash (if there is a risk of frost).
X Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a con-
tainer beforehand. Adapt the mixing ratio
to the outside temperatures.
! Only use windscreen washer fluid which
is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuit-
able windscreen washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lamp lenses of the head-
lamps.
X To open: pull cap1upwards by the tab.
X To close: press cap 1onto the filler neck
until it clicks into place. Tyres and wheels
Points to remember
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle. These tyres have been specially adap-
ted for use with the control systems, such
as ABS or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(with run-flat characteristics)*
*Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
should only be used on wheels that have
been specifically approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
If you use other tyres and wheels,
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept any respon-
sibility for damage that may result from
this. Further information about tyres,
wheels and approved combinations can be
obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
If you use tyres other than those tested and
recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles, characteristics such as handling, vehi-
cle noise emissions and fuel consumption may be adversely affected. In addition, the
wheels may come into contact with the
body or axle components when heavily loa-
ded or when driving with snow chains. This
could result in damage to the tyres or the
vehicle.
! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be detec-
ted on retreaded tyres. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle
safety if retreaded tyres are fitted. Do not
fit used tyres if you have no information
about their previous usage. G
Risk of accident
If wheels or tyres other than those which
have been tested are fitted:
R the brakes or chassis components could
be damaged
R wheel and tyre clearances can no longer
be guaranteed
This could cause an accident.
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted, nor is the use of
spacer plates or brake dust shields. This inva- Operation
* optional
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Winter driving
231Winter driving
Points to remember
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, at the onset of winter. Winter tyres
In temperatures below +7 °C, always use all-
weather tyres or winter tyres and always use
winter tyres in wintry road conditions.
Only winter tyres displaying the snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide optimum grip in wintry road conditions.
Only these tyres will allow the ABS and ESP
driving systems to function optimally in win-
ter, as these tyres have been designed spe-
cifically for driving on snow.
Use winter tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics. G
Risk of accident
Winter tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced immediately. They
are no longer suitable for winter use, can
no longer provide sufficient grip. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and cause an accident.
Always observe the maximum permitted
speed specified for the winter tyres you have
fitted. If you fit winter tyres which have a
lower maximum permitted speed than that of
the vehicle, affix an appropriate warning sign
in the driver's field of vision. This can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent Speedtronic 28
to the maxi-
mum permissible speed for the winter tyres
(Y page 151).
Once you have fitted the winter tyres:
X Check the tyre pressures (Y page 226).
X Restart the tyre pressure moni-
tor* (Y page 228). G
Risk of accident
If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with
winter tyres, bear in mind that driving sta-
bility will be impaired owing to unstable
cornering characteristics caused by the dif-
ferent tyres. You should therefore adapt
your driving style and drive carefully. Have the spare wheel* replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. In particular, work
relevant to safety or on safety-related sys-
tems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Snow chains
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains which
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
! Information about the use of snow chain-
compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable
for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only
permissible with these tyres.
! Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package*: do
not drive in ADS SPORTmode when driving
with snow chains fitted.
If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
28 Only available for certain countries. Operation
* optional
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Display
messages 256 Text messages
G
Risk of accident and injury
The operating safety of your vehicle could be compromised if service work is carried out improperly. You could lose control of the vehicle,
thereby causing an accident. Safety systems may also not be able to protect you or others as intended.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose.
In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
120 km/h Maximum speed
exceeded The maximum speed has been excee-
ded
31
. X
Drive more slowly. ABS ABS, ESP unavaila-
ble See Owner's
Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
and therefore also PRE-
SAFE ®
are temporarily unavailable. It is
possible that self diagnosis is not yet com-
plete.
BAS has also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Carefully drive a short distance at a speed
above 20 km/h.
If the display message disappears, ABS and
ESP ®
are available again. 31
Only for certain countries. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 257Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
ABS ABS, ESP unavaila-
ble See Owner's
Manual G
Risk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
and therefore also PRE-
SAFE ®
are unavailable due to undervolt-
age. BAS has also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. ABS ABS, ESP inopera-
tive See Owner's
Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
and therefore also PRE-SAFE ®
are
unavailable due to a malfunction. BAS has
also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. DISTRONIC - - - km/h
An activation condition for Distronic
*is
not fulfilled. X
If conditions permit, drive faster than
30 km/h and store the speed (Y page 143).
or
X Check the activation conditions for Dis-
tronic* (Y page 143). DISTRONIC Override
Distronic* is no longer controlling the
speed of the vehicle. X
Ease off the accelerator pedal. DISTRONIC inoperative
Distronic* is faulty or the display has
failed. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
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Display
messages 266 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
3 EBV, ABS, ESP inop-
erative See Own-
er's Manual
G
Risk of accident
EBV, ABS, ESP ®
and therefore also PRE-
SAFE ®
are unavailable due to a malfunc-
tion. BAS has also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. 3 Check brake fluid
level
G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir. X
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Consult the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rec-
tify the malfunction. ! Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake
applied. X
Release the parking brake. 1 Restraint sys.
malfunction Con-
sult workshop
G
Risk of injury
The restraint systems are faulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. ] Clean fuel filter There is water in the fuel filter. The water
must be drained off
32
. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 32
Only for certain countries. Practical advi
ce
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