2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV height

Seat belts
95For this reason, check regularly that the
seat belts are not damaged or dirty.
Always have damaged seat belts or seat
belts that have been subjected to a load in
an accident replaced at a qualified special-
ist workshop. Choose a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary special-
ist knowledge and tools for the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use seat belts which
have been approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle.
1
Belt sash guide
2 Belt tongue
3 Buckle
4 Release button Routing the belt X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Y page 77).
X Pull the belt smoothly through belt sash
guide 1.
X Route the belt over the centre of the shoul-
der without twisting it.
X Engage belt tongue 2into buckle 3.
X If necessary, adjust the belt to the appro-
priate height (Y page 96).
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the belt to tighten the belt across
your body.
Routing the belt X
Press release button 4and guide belt
tongue 2back towards belt sash guide
1. Controls
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 95 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Seat belts
96 Belt warning for driver and front
passenger
The < seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster reminds you that all occupants
should fasten their seat belts. The belt warning lamp may light up continuously
or it may flash. Additionally, there may be a
warning tone.
The < seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the front passenger have fastened their seat
belt.
For certain countries only: regardless of
whether the driver or the front passenger is
already secured, the lamp lights up for six seconds after the engine
has been started. The lamp then goes out if both the driver and the
front passenger have fastened their seat belt.
i Further information about the belt warning lamp (Y page 281). Belt height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and front-passenger seat.
Adjust the belt to a height that allows it to be
routed across the middle of your shoulder. 1
Release catch
X To raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various posi-
tions.
X To lower: press and hold release button
1.
X Slide the belt sash guide downwards.
X Let go of release button 1and make sure
that the belt sash guide has engaged. Correct driver's seat position
1
Steering wheel
2 Seat belt
3 Seat G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehi-
cle is stationary. You will otherwise be dis- Controls
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 96Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Engine compartment
221Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The electronic ignition system uses high
voltage. For this reason, you must never
touch components of the ignition system
(ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug con-
nector or test socket) when:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on and the engine
is being cranked by hand
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
The electronic injection control uses high
voltage. Therefore, never touch fuel injec-
tion system components when:
R the engine is running
R the engine is being started
R the ignition is switched on
X Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off. G
Risk of injury
The windscreen wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the bonnet is open, you or others
could be injured by the wiper rods. Make sure that the windscreen wipers are
switched off and that the key has been
pulled out of the ignition lock before open-
ing the bonnet.
The bonnet release lever is located in the
driver's footwell. 1
Bonnet release lever
X Pull bonnet release lever 1.
The bonnet is released.
! Make sure that the windscreen wipers
are not folded out away from the wind-
screen. You can otherwise damage the
windscreen wipers or the bonnet. The handle for opening the bonnet is located
above the radiator grille.
2
Bonnet catch handle
X Reach into the gap, pull bonnet catch han-
dle 2up and lift the bonnet.
Closing G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped as you close the bonnet.
X Lower the bonnet and let it fall from a
height of approximately 20 cm.
X Check that the bonnet has engaged prop-
erly. Operation
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 221 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Trailer towing*
240Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. In this
case, you should use a trailer with a height-
adjustable drawbar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 60).
In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
! A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients you
must select the shift range 1,2or 3in good
time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, Distronic* or Speedtronic.
This uses the braking effect of the engine and
you will not have to brake to such an extent
to maintain the same speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely. Driving tips
R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Operation
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 240 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Where will I find...?
252 Vehicle tool kit, jack, TIREFIT kit and
emergency spare wheel*
The vehicle tool kit, jack, TIREFIT kit and
emergency spare wheel* are in the stowage
compartment under the luggage compart-
ment floor. G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed.
You must use stands if you are carrying out
work on the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip and level surface. Do not use
wooden blocks or similar objects as a jack
underlay. Otherwise, the jack will not be
able to achieve its load-bearing capacity
due to the restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while a
wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured. X
Open the tailgate.
X Open the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 250).
! If the luggage compartment cover* is fit-
ted, roll it open fully.
Only for luggage compartment covers* fit-
ted behind the 3rd row of seats:
Fold forwards the section of the luggage
compartment cover* that is still protrud-
ing. Otherwise the strap of the retaining
hook may damage the luggage compart-
ment cover*.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit i
Depending on the date of production of
the vehicle, the appearance and stowage
location of the jack and of the other tools
may differ from those illustrated. Example
1
Ball coupling of the trailer tow hitch*
2 Folding wheel chock
3 Jack, ratchet ring spanner
4 TIREFIT kit 30
5 Electric air pump 30
6 Fuse allocation chart
7 Wheel wrench
8 Towing eye
9 Centring pin
Vehicles with an emergency spare
wheel* i
Depending on the date of production of
the vehicle, the appearance and stowage
30 Not on vehicles with MOExtended run-flat system. Practical advice
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 252Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Flat tyre
318
Raising the vehicle G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise the vehi-
cle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed.
If you intend to work under the vehicle, it
must be placed on stands.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar items as jacking supports.
Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while
the wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured. G
Risk of accident
If you fail to position the jack correctly, the
vehicle may: R
slip off the jack
R injure you or others
R be damaged
It is thus important to ensure that the jack
is positioned correctly in the respective
jacking points. Before positioning the jack,
remove any dirt that may have collected in
the jacking points. 1
Wheel wrench
X Using wheel wrench 1, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
The jacking points for the jack are located
behind the wheel housings of the front wheels and in front of the wheel housings of the rear
wheels (arrows). 1
Jacking point
2 Jack
3 Ratchet ring spanner
X Position jack 2at jacking point 1. Practical advice
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 318Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Vehicle weights
350 Vehicle dimensions
Short wheelbase Long wheelbase
Vehicle length (ECE) 4,938 mm 5,173 mm
Vehicle width with mirrors folded
out 2,168 mm 2,168 mm
Vehicle height
1,661 mm/1,664 mm
51 1,663 mm / 1,666 mm
51Wheelbase 2,980 mm 3,215 mm
51
For R 500 4MATIC. Technical data
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 350 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Vehicle weights
351Tailgate opening dimensions
1
Max. headroom
2 Tailgate opening height Vehicle level
52 1
1 2
2 191 cm 204 cm
!
In vehicles with the AIRMATIC package*,
the tailgate opening dimensions may vary
depending on the selected basic setting
and current vehicle level.
Therefore, make sure that there is suffi-
cient clearance above the tailgate. Vehicle weights
The unladen weight includes the driver (68 kg), luggage (7 kg) and all fluids (fuel tank 90% full). Items of optional equipment increase the
unladen weight and reduce the maximum payload. Specific weight specifications can be found on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 340). Short wheelbase R 280 R 350 R 350 4MATIC R 500 4MATIC
Unladen weight (in accordance with EC
directive) 2,130 kg 2,130 kg 2,180 kg 2,220 kg
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight 2,790 kg 2,790 kg 2,840 kg 2,880 kg
Maximum permissible front axle load 1,370 kg 1,370 kg 1,370 kg 1,370 kg
52
Values are rounded off and valid for unladen vehicles with basic equipment. Technical data
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 351 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight