2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV service

Care
247
ageing process and may react differently
(e.g. increased formation of wrinkles) to
certain environmental influences (such as
high humidity, intense heat).
Note that regular care is essential to ensure
that the quality (both appearance and com-
fort) of the covers is retained over time.
Cleaning real wood* and trim strips X
Moisten a clean lint-free cloth with water.
X Clean the wooden trim.
X If particularly dirty, use a mild detergent.
! Do not use cleaning agents containing
solvents because these can damage the
wooden trim.
Cleaning the exhaust tail pipes Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface.
Regular care of the exhaust tail pipes will
ensure that their original shine is restored.
! Do not clean exhaust tail pipes with alka-
line-based cleaning agents such as wheel
cleaner.
Use the chrome-cleaning agent recommen-
ded by Mercedes-Benz for cleaning. Infor- mation about chrome-cleaning agents can
be obtained from any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Cleaning Distronic* 1
Distronic* cover
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 76) in
the ignition lock.
X Clean cover 1in the radiator grille with
water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
! Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. Doing so will scratch or dam-
age the surfaces. Cleaning Parktronic* The sensors are located in the front and rear
bumpers.
1
Parktronic* sensors in the left-hand side
of the front bumper
X Clean sensors 1in the bumper with water,
car shampoo and a soft cloth.
! Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors. If you intend to use a
high-pressure cleaner or a steam cleaner to
clean the sensors, observe the instructions
issued by the equipment manufacturer
concerning the distance to be maintained
between the nozzle of the high-pressure
cleaner and the vehicle. Operation
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 247 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Care
248
Cleaning the reversing camera*
1
Camera lens
X Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens 1.
! Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the reversing camera with:
R high-pressure cleaning equipment
R a dry cloth and a lot of pressure
R corrosive cleaning products
You could otherwise damage the reversing
camera. Trailer coupling
The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X Remove any rust using a wire brush.
X Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or
a brush.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high-
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents. 1
Ball neck head
2 Locking balls
3 Guide pin
4 Guide faces
5 Release lever
6 Protective cap X
Lightly oil or grease positions 1to6 and
the ball coupling recess of the vehicle after
cleaning.
X Treat the lock under protective cap 6with
an acid- and resin-free oil.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer coupling is
working properly.
! Observe the note on care provided by the
trailer manufacturer.
i Maintenance of the ball coupling and
trailer coupling can also be performed by
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner. Operation
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 248Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Display
messages 255Display messages
Notes
The on-board computer shows warnings or
malfunctions in the multi-function display.
Certain display messages are accompanied
by a warning tone or a continuous tone.
The multi-function display shows high-priority
display messages in red. In the following
tables, these display messages are printed in
red.
Please respond in accordance with the dis-
play messages and follow the additional
notes in this Owner's Manual. G
Risk of accident
If the instrument cluster or the multi-func-
tion display fails, no messages can be dis-
played.
This means that you will not see information
about the driving situation, such as the
speed, outside temperature, warning/indi- cator lamps, display messages or system
failures. The handling characteristics may
be affected. Adapt your driving style and
speed accordingly.
Immediately consult a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary special-
ist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particu-
lar, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Before starting a journey, check that the
warning and indicator lamps are operating
correctly. X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
or
X Press the KEYLESS GO button* twice.
All warning and indicator lamps (except for
the turn signal indicator lamps) light up and
the multi-function display is activated.
The following tables contain all the display
messages.
Hiding display messages After a few seconds, the on-board computer
automatically hides some low priority display
messages. Other messages remain visible in
the multi-function display until you hide them
yourself.
Some high priority display messages cannot
be hidden. The multi-function display shows
these messages continuously until the cau-
ses of the messages have been remedied.
Use the buttons on the multi-function steer-
ing wheel.
X
Use the è,·,jork button
to select another display.
The on-board computer saves certain dis-
play messages in the message memory
(Y page 128). Practical advice
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 255 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

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
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 256Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Display
messages 260 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
Vehicle not in position P You have opened the driver's door and the
automatic transmission is in position
R,
N or D. X
Move the selector lever to P.
X Engage the parking brake. Compass unavailable
The compass* is malfunctioning. X
Have the compass* checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Compass - - -
The compass* is not calibrated. X
Calibrate the compass* (Y page 215).Compass - - -
The compass* is malfunctioning because
of exterior interference. As soon as the source of the interference has
been removed:
X
Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
X Wait until the total distance recorder has dis-
appeared from the multi-function display.
X Calibrate the compass* (Y page 215).No Service Your vehicle is outside the network pro-
vider transmitter/receiver range. X
Wait until the operational readiness symbol
appears in the multi-function display
(Y page 138). Drive to work-
shop without changing
gear The transmission position cannot be
changed due to a malfunction. If transmission position
Dis selected:
X Drive to a qualified specialist workshop without
shifting the transmission from position D.
If transmission position R,Nor Pis selected:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 260Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

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
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 264Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Troubleshooting
278 Troubleshooting
Points to remember
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. Indicator and warning lamps in switches and buttons
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
One or all of the indicator lamps
in the seat ventilation* button are
flashing. There is insufficient voltage
because too many consumers are
switched on. The seat ventila-
tion* has switched itself off auto-
matically. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting, etc.
The seat ventilation* will automatically switch back on as soon as
there is sufficient voltage again. One or all of the indicator lamps
in the seat heating* button are
flashing. There is insufficient voltage
because too many consumers are
switched on. The seat heating*
has switched itself off automati-
cally. X
Switch off consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting, etc.
The seat heating* will automatically switch back on as soon as
there is sufficient voltage again. Practical advice
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 278 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Troubleshooting
296 Key
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You cannot lock or unlock the
vehicle using the key. The key batteries are discharged
or nearly discharged. X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door handle from close range
and try to unlock or lock the vehicle again.
If this does not work:
X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 302).
X Check the key batteries (Y page 305) and replace them if neces-
sary (Y page 305). The key is faulty. X
Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 302).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The battery charge indicator lamp
of the key does not go on during
the test. The key batteries are discharged. X
Change the batteries (Y page 305).You have lost a key. X
Have the key cancelled at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. You have lost the emergency key
element. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. Practical advice
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 296 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight