2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV towing

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
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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,V ersion: 2.10.6
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Driving sys
tems 143Distronic*
i Distronic is only available for certain
countries.
Distronic regulates the speed and automati-
cally maintains the distance to the vehicle in
front. 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 over-
heating and wearing too quickly. G
Risk of accident
The brake pedal is retracted when Distronic
brakes. Do not restrict the movement of the
pedal in any way.
R Do not put any objects in the footwell.
R Ensure that floor mats and carpets are
fixed securely.
R Do not place your foot under the brake
pedal as it could become trapped.
You could otherwise cause an accident and
injure yourself and others. 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. G
Risk of accident
Distronic is only an aid designed to assist
driving. The driver remains fully responsible
for the vehicle's distance to other vehicles,
the vehicle's speed and braking in good
time.
Distronic does not react to:
R pedestrians
R stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. sta-
tionary or parked vehicles
R oncoming and crossing traffic
Distronic may not detect narrow vehicles
driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line. Therefore,
always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when Distronic is activated. Other-
wise, you may fail to recognise danger in
time, could cause an accident and injure
yourself and others.
If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front,
Distronic causes your vehicle to brake and maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in
front that you have set. G
Risk of accident
Distronic cannot take account of road and
traffic conditions. Deactivate, or do not
activate, Distronic if it does not detect the
vehicle in front, or if it no longer detects it.
This is especially the case:
R before corners
R on filter lanes
R when changing to a lane with faster mov-
ing traffic
R in complex driving situations or where
the lanes are diverted, e.g. at motorway/
roadway construction sites
Otherwise, Distronic maintains the current
speed or accelerates to the set speed.
Distronic cannot take account of weather
conditions. Deactivate, or do not activate,
Distronic:
R if the roads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip Controls
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
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Driving sys
tems 149
of its narrow width. The distance to the vehi-
cle in front will be too short. Speedtronic
Speedtronic brakes automatically so that you
do not exceed 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. If
you need additional braking, depress the
brake pedal repeatedly rather than continu-
ously. 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. 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.
You can set a variable or permanent limit
speed:
R variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
R permanent for long-term speed restric-
tions, e.g. for driving on winter tyres
(Y page 151) G
Risk of accident
Speedtronic is only an aid designed to
assist driving. You are responsible for the
vehicle's speed and for braking in good
time.
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed
stored.
Variable Speedtronic With the cruise control lever, you can operate
cruise control, Distronic* and variable
Speedtronic.The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Cruise control or Distronic* is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit
the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while
the engine is running. 1
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
2 LIM indicator lamp
3 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
4 To store the current speed or a lower
speed Controls
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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,V ersion: 2.10.6
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Driving sys
tems 157
The automatic transmission position deter-
mines which warning display is active: Automatic trans-
mission position Warning display
D Front area activated
R
or N Rear and front areas
activated
P No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance to the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approxi-
mately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. You have reached the minimum dis-
tance. Deactivating/activating Parktronic 1
To deactivate/activate Parktronic
2 Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp 2is on, Parktronic is deac-
tivated.
Trailer towing* Parktronic is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
! Remove the detachable trailer coupling if
it is no longer required. Parktronic meas-
ures the minimum detection range to an
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-
pling. Reversing camera*
The reversing camera is an optical aid. It
shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND APS display. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The reversing camera is located in the handle
strip of the boot lid. 1
Reversing camera
View through the camera The area behind the vehicle is displayed in a
mirrored fashion, as in the rear-view mirror. Controls
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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,V ersion: 2.10.6
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Loading and stowing
183
Opening
X
To open manually: press the switch in the
direction of arrow 1or3 until the roller
sunblinds have moved to the desired posi-
tion.
X To open fully: briefly press the switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 1or3.
X To stop: press or pull the switch in any
direction.
Closing
X Pull the switch in the direction of
arrow 2until the roller sunblinds have
moved to the desired position.
Resetting the panorama sliding sunroof
and the roller sunblinds Reset the panorama sliding sunroof and the
roller sunblinds if the panorama sliding sun-
roof does not open smoothly, or if the battery
has been disconnected or discharged.
X
Make sure that the key is in position 0in
the ignition lock.
X Remove the fuse for the panorama sliding
sunroof in the main fuse box
(Y page 334). i
The fuse allocation chart can be found in
the vehicle tool kit (Y page 252).
X Reinsert the fuse.
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Close the roller sunblinds fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Open the roller sunblinds fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Raise the panorama sliding sunroof fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Close the panorama sliding sunroof fully.
X Keep the switch pressed for an additional
second.
X Check that the panorama sliding sunroof
can be opened fully again (Y page 181).
X If this is not the case, consult a qualified
specialist workshop. Loading and stowing
Cup holder
G
Risk of injury
Keep the cup holder closed while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise, vehicle occu-
pants could be injured by objects being
thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
Only use the cup holders for containers of
a suitable size and which have lids. Other-
wise, the drinks could spill.
Cup holders should not be used for hot
drinks. Otherwise, you may scald yourself. Controls
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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Loading and stowing
184
Cup holder in the centre console
1
Cover
2 Chrome catch
X To open: briefly press chrome catch 2in
the direction of the arrow.
Cover 1swings upwards. 1
Cover
2 To secure the drink container
3 Retainer
4 Release button
5 To release the retainer
X To secure a drink container (driver's
side): place a drink container in the left-
hand cup holder.
X Press release button 4in the direction of
arrow 5.
X Guide retainer 3onto the drink container
in the direction of arrow 2.
X To release a drink container (driver's
side): press release button 4in the direc-
tion of arrow 5.
Retainer 3automatically snaps back into
its original position. X
To close: make sure that there is no drink
container in the cup holder.
X Fold cover 1downwards until it engages.
Cup holder for the 2nd row of seats
below the centre air vents* !
Close the cup holder if you are not using
it and before folding down the 2nd row of
seats.
i Vehicles with a centre console for the 2nd
row of seats* and a short wheelbase do not
have a cup holder below the centre air
vents.
Opening the cup holder 1
Cover Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
185
X
Open cover 1and fold it down to the stop
in the direction of the arrow. 1
Cover
2 Cup holder
X Pull cup holder 2out to the stop in the
direction of the arrow.
X Place a drink container in cup holder 2
from above.
Closing the cup holder
X Make sure that there is no drink container
in the cup holder.
X Push cup holder 2forwards into the stow-
age compartment until it engages. X
Fold cover 1upwards until it engages in
the first position.
X Swing cover 1forwards until it engages in
the second position.
Cup holder in front of the armrest of
the 2nd row of seats* 1
Cup holder Cup holder in the side trim of the third
row of seats 1
Cup holder Roof rack system*
G
Risk of accident and injury
An incorrectly secured roof rack, ski rack
or load could become detached from the
vehicle. These objects may be thrown
around and can injure you or others or
cause an accident. Follow the roof rack/ski
rack manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and special instructions for use.
The roof load raises the vehicle's centre of
gravity, thereby affecting vehicle handling.
You must always observe the maximum Controls
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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Loading and stowing
186 roof load of 100 kg. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to the prevailing road, traffic and
weather conditions and drive with particu-
lar care if the roof is laden.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use roof rack systems which have
been tested and approved for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles. This helps to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Position the load on the roof rack in such a
way that the vehicle will not sustain dam-
age even when it is in motion.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
make sure that you can:
R raise the sliding/tilting sunroof* fully
R open the panorama sliding sunroof* fully
R open the tailgate fully 1
Covers
X Fold covers 1upwards.
X Only secure the roof rack to the anchorage
points under covers 1.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Luggage net
G
Risk of injury
Only place lightweight objects in the lug-
gage net. Do not use it to transport heavy,
sharp-edged or fragile objects. The luggage
net cannot secure the objects sufficiently
in the event of an accident.
Luggage net in the front-passenger
footwell 1
Luggage net Controls
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
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Version: 2.10.6
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