2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV tailgate

Loading and stowing
190 Enlarging the luggage compartment
To enlarge the luggage compartment, the rear
bench seats of the 2nd and 3rd rows of seats
can be folded forwards separately. You can
enlarge the luggage compartment partially
(Y page 190) or fully ( Ypage 191). G
Risk of injury
Do not carry heavy or hard objects inside
the vehicle or in the luggage compartment
unless they are secured.
Otherwise, you and other vehicle occu-
pants could be injured by objects being
thrown around the vehicle in the event of
sharp braking, a sudden change in direction
or an accident.
When using the luggage compartment
enlargement feature, you must always fully
fold down the respective backrests and
attach the safety net. G
Risk of poisoning
Always drive with the tailgate closed.
Exhaust fumes could otherwise enter the
vehicle interior.
! If you want to fold the outer seats down
in the 2nd row of seats, the front seats must
not be in the rearmost position. Otherwise, you could damage the front seats and the
2nd row outer seats.
! Close the cup holder* before folding
down the 2nd row of seats. You could oth-
erwise damage the seats or cup holder.
Enlarging the luggage compartment
partially Folding the seats in the 3rd row forwards
X
Move the head restraint of the correspond-
ing seat down fully ( Ypage 83). 1
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 1is released and moves
automatically to a vertical position. 1
Seat cushion
2 Loop
3 Backrest
i Loop 2can 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). Controls
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Features
215
X
Use æ orç on the multi-function
steering wheel to select the Vehiclesub-
menu.
X Keep pressing jork until the Com-
pass setting Zone message appears.
The selection marker highlights the current
setting. X
Use æ orç to set the geographical
location.
Calibrating the compass You will only see this function if Audio 20 is
installed in your vehicle.
In order to calibrate the compass correctly,
observe the following points:
R find a suitable place where you can drive
the vehicle a full circle.
R calibrate the compass in the open and not
in the vicinity of steel constructions or high-
voltage transmission lines. R
switch off electric consumers, e.g.
Thermati c/multi-zone Thermotronic*,
windscreen wipers or rear window heating.
R close all doors and the tailgate.
X Start the engine.
X Use æ orç on the multi-function
steering wheel to select the Vehiclesub-
menu.
X Keep pressing jork until the Com-
pass calibration message appears.
The selection marker highlights switched
off . X
Use æ orç to select Start.
In the multi-function display, you will see
the Compass calibration active
Please drive a full circle message.
X Drive the vehicle a full circle at approxi-
mately 5 – 10 km/h.
When calibration is completed, you will see
the following message in the multi-function display:
Compass calibration Comple-
ted successfully
If you do not see the Compass calibration
Completed successfully message in the
multi-function display, drive another full cir-
cle. If calibration is not successful within
three minutes of it starting, the Compass
calibration message will appear in the
multi-function display again. This means that
compass calibration is impossible because of
external interference. Repeat calibration at
another location. Floormat* on the driver's side
G
Risk of accident
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance
around the pedals when floormats are
used, and that the floormats are properly
secured.
The floormats must be secured at all times
using retainers and studs.
Before you drive off, make sure that the
floormats are secure and rectify if neces-
sary. A floormat which is not properly
secured can slip and thereby interfere with
the movement of the pedals. Controls
* optional
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Trailer towing*
238
Vehicles with rear axle level control* G
Risk of injury
Never lock, unlock, open or close a vehicle
door or tailgate when coupling up or decou-
pling a trailer. The vehicle level could
change and you could endanger yourself or
others.
Never press the ADS button* or operate the
level control* while you are coupling up or
decoupling a trailer.
X Make sure the selector lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
X Start the engine.
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package* G
Risk of injury
Never lock, unlock, open or close a vehicle
door or tailgate when coupling up or decou-
pling a trailer. The vehicle level could
change and you could endanger yourself or
others. Never press the ADS button* or operate the
level control* while you are coupling up or
decoupling a trailer.
X Make sure the selector lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Set the vehicle to highway level
(Y page 152).
X Switch off the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
i If you have coupled a trailer, the vehicle
will remain at highway level.
The vehicle automatically lowers to high-
way level if you drive faster than 8 km/h
with a trailer. The vehicle is not lowered to
the high-speed level even if you are travel-
ling at higher speeds.
This also applies when using accessories
that are plugged into the socket of the
trailer coupling (e.g. a bicycle rack). Decoupling a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not connect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not uncouple a trailer with overrun
brake between the bumper and drawbar,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged
by the spring action of the overrun brake.
Steel-spring vehicles
X Make sure the selector lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
Vehicles with rear axle level control*
X Make sure the selector lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable. Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
239G
Risk of injury
As soon as you raise the trailer drawbar, the
unladen vehicle rises slightly. The vehicle
then lowers to driving level.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of
the wheel arch or the underbody. You could
otherwise trap yourself or others.
X Lift up the trailer drawbar and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine.
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package*
X Make sure the selector lever is set to P.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close the doors and tailgate.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away. G
Risk of injury
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you dis-
connect the trailer cable. Make sure that
nobody is in the vicinity of the wheel arch
or the underbody. You could otherwise trap
yourself or others.
As soon as you decouple the trailer, the
unladen vehicle rises slightly. Make sure that you or others are not injured in the
process.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer.
X Switch off the engine. Notes on towing a trailer
G
Risk of accident
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R The permitted trailer drawbar nose-
weight
R The permitted trailer load R
The permitted rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R The maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues which must not be exceeded in the
vehicle documents.
You will find the values approved by the
manufacturer on the vehicle identification
plates and those for the towing vehicle in
the "Technical data" section.
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 354).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 85 kg.
However, the actual noseweight must not
exceed the value given on the trailer coupling
and trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose. Operation
* optional
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Where will I find...?
251
Setting up the warning triangle
1
Retainer
2 Side reflectors
3 Feet
X Fold feet 3down and out to the side.
X Pull side reflectors 2upwards to form a
triangle and lock them at the top using
retainer 1. First-aid kit
i Check the expiry date of the first-aid kit
annually, and replace the contents when
necessary.
The first-aid kit is located underneath the lug-
gage compartment floor. 1
Velcro fastening
2 First-aid kit
X Open the tailgate.
X Open the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 250).
X Release Velcro fastening 1.
X Remove first-aid kit 2. Fire extinguisher*
i Have the fire extinguisher refilled after
each use and checked every two years.
Otherwise, it may fail in an emergency.
Observe the legal requirements in all coun-
tries concerned.
The fire extinguisher is located underneath
the front of the driver's seat. 1
Tab
2 Fire extinguisher
X Pull tab 1upwards.
X Remove fire extinguisher 2. Practical advice
* optional
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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
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Where will I find...?
2541
Guides
2 Emergency spare wheel*
X Lay emergency spare wheel* 2in the
emergency spare wheel well.
i Make sure that emergency spare wheel*
2 is positioned on guides 1precisely.
X Lay the emergency spare wheel in the
emergency spare wheel well (Y page 250).
X Lay the tool holder in emergency spare
wheel* 2so that the electric air pump is
pointing towards the tailgate
(Y page 252). X
Turn the tool holder approximately 180°,
so that the electrical air pump points for-
wards.
The tool holder should now be positioned
in accordance with the instructions on the
installation position.
X Turn the tool holder screw clockwise into
the tool holder as far as it will go.
Setting up the foldable wheel chock The folding wheel chock serves as an addi-
tional measure for securing the vehicle
against rolling away, e.g. when a wheel is
being changed.
1
To fold the plates upwards
2 To fold out the lower plate
3 To insert the plate X
Fold both plates 1upwards.
X Fold out lower plate 2.
X Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
the openings in base plate 3.Practical advice
* optional
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Display
messages 264 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
DISTRONIC and
SPEEDTRONIC inoperative
Distronic
* andSpeedtronic are unavaila-
ble. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Cruise control - - - km/h A condition for activating cruise control
has not been met. X
Activate ESP ®
(Ypage 61)
X If conditions permit, drive faster than
30 km/h and store the speed (Y page 140).Symbol 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
a This message always appears when the
tailgate is open. X
Close the tailgate. G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with an anti-theft alarm sys-
tem*:
You are driving with the bonnet open. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Close the bonnet. Practical advice
* optional
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