2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV ABS

31, 2, 3 ...
2-zone Thermatic Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) . . . ..58
Display message . . . . . . . . . .256, 257
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Acceleration
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Accident
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
Active Service System PLUS
see Service indicator
Adaptive brake lamps . . . . . . . . . . . ..59
Adaptive Damping System see ADS
Additional functions (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Airbag Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Driver's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.279
Sidebag s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Windowbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Air cleaner
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274
Air conditioning
2-zone Thermatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .166
Activating/deactivating air-recir-
culation mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Air-recirculation mode with con-
venience opening/closing feature .173
Auxiliary heating/ventilation . . . . .174
Controlling automatically . . . . . . . .167
Cooling with air dehumidification . .167
Demisting the windscreen . . . . . . .172
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
Misted-up windows . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Multi-zone Thermotronic . . . . . . . .163
Rear-compartment air condition-
ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . .173
Setting the air distribution . . . . . . .171
Setting the airflow . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Setting the air vents . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Setting the temperature . . . . . . . . .168 Setting the temperature (rear
compartment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.169
Switching the residual heat func-
tion on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
see Climate control
AIRMATIC package . . . . . . . . . . . . ..152
Antifreeze concentration . . . . . . . ..361
Anti-lock braking system see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system
see ATA
Anti-theft systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..63
Armrest Adjusting (2nd row of seats) . . . . . .82
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
ASSYST PLUS see Service indicator
ASSYST PLUS service indicator . . ..242
ATA (anti-theft alarm system) . . . . ..63
Switching off the alarm . . . . . . . . . .63
Audible warning signal . . . . . . . . . ..286
AUTO lights Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . ..244
Automatic transmission Display message . . . . . . . . . .260, 261
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Emergency running mode . . . . . . .292
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
Program selector button . . . . . . . .116 Index
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6
Distance recorder
see Total distance recorder
see Trip meter
Distance warning system (Vehi-
cles with Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..62
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Cleaning the sensors . . . . . . . . . . .247
Cove r.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Display message . . . . . .257, 258, 264
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Door
Automatic locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265
Emergency locking . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .302
Opening (from the inside) . . . . . . . .71
Door control panel
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Drinks holder
see Cup holder
Driver's airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Driver's door Unlocking (KEYLESS GO) . . . . . . . . .71
Driver's seat position . . . . . . . . . . . ..96
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Driving safety system . . . . . . . . . . . ..58
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Adaptive brake lamps . . . . . . . . . . .59BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.59
Distance warning system (vehi-
cles with Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
EBV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Driving system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
4MATIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Level control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Rear axle level control . . . . . . . . . .151
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Driving tip
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Driving on wet road s.. . . . . . . . ..234
Fording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232
DVD audio
Operation (on-board computer) . . .126
DVD video
Operation (on-board computer) . . .127 E
Easy-entry/exit feature Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Easy-entry feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..89
3rd row of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Easy-exit feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
3rd row of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
EASY-PACK tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..73
EBV (electronic brake-power distri-
bution) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
Electrical/electronic equipment
Retrofitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
Electronic brake-power distribution
see EBV
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
Electronic Traction Support see ETS
e mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
Emergency key element Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296
Emergency locking
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Emergency release
Fuel filler fla p.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . .292 Index
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14Mounting dimensions . . . . . . . . . .
.354
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Transmission
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Transmission output (maximum)
Telephone/two-way radio . . . . . . .339
Transport (vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . . . ..332
Trip computer Menu (on-board computer) . . . . . .137
Trip meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Turn signal lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271
TV
Operation (on-board computer) . . .127
Two-way radio
Installatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339
Tyre grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Calling up (on-board computer) . .228
Display message . . . . . .261, 263, 274
see Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure loss warning system 227
Tyre pressure monitor Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Tyres
Direction of rotatio n.. . . . . . . . . . .225
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . .346, 348
Tyre tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226 U
Unladen weight . . . . . . . ..351, 352, 353
Unlocking Emergency unlocking . . . . . . . . . . .302
From the inside (central unlocking
button) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 V
Variable Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . ..149
Vehicle Emergency unlocking . . . . . . .302, 303
Individual settings (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Leaving parked up . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323
Vehicle dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . ..350
Vehicle electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . ..339
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340, 341
Vehicle identification plates . . . . ..340
Vehicle level Display message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267, 268
Vehicle weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351 W
Warning and indicator lamp ABS (yellow) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
LIM (Cruise control) . . . . . . . . . . . .140
LIM (Distronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
LIM (variable Speedtronic) . . . . . . .149
Warning signal
Audible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Washer fluid Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Wearing seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..94
Wheel bolts Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322
Wheel chock
Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Wheels
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Interchanging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . .346, 348
Windowbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Windows Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Cleaning the windscreen . . . . . . . .245
Side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Windscreen
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Infrared reflecting . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Index
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Instrument cluster
27Function Page
1 ABS warning lamp
281
2 LIM indicator lamp
149
3
ESP
®
warning lamp 282
4 Display unit for the speed-
ometer
5
Distance warning lamp*
1 62
6 Brake system warning lamp
283
7 Tyre pressure warning
lamp*
2 284
8 Turn signal indicator lamp,
left
99
9 Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: dimmer
a Reset button
119
b Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: brighter Function Page
c Turn signal indicator lamp,
right
99
d Seat belt warning lamp
284
e Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
111
f SRS warning lamp 41,
283 g Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
284
h Main-beam indicator lamp
100
j Rev counter
119
k Fuel gauge
l Fuel filler cap location: cap
is on the right at the rear Function Page
m Reserve tank warning lamp
286
n Total distance recorder
125
o Trip meter
119
p Multi-function display
119
q Gearshift program display
116
r Transmission position dis-
play
115
s Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
125
• outside temperature
3
• digital speedometer t Speedometer (the unit can
be changed to miles in the
on-board computer)
130
u Clock
131
1
On vehicles without Distronic* the symbol lights up briefly but has no function.
2 Only on vehicles with tyre pressure monitor*.
3 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the outside temperature is always displayed in the digital speedometer. At a glance
* optional
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Instrument cluster
29Function Page
1 ABS warning lamp
281
2 LIM indicator lamp
149
3
ESP
®
warning lamp 282
4 Display unit for the speed-
ometer
5
Distance warning lamp*
4 62
6 Brake system warning lamp
283
7 Tyre pressure warning
lamp*
5 284
8 Turn signal indicator lamp,
left
99
9 Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: dimmer
a Reset button
119
b Adjusts the instrument
cluster lighting: brighter
c Turn signal indicator lamp,
right
99 Function Page
d Seat belt warning lamp
284
e Diesel engine: preglow indi-
cator lamp
111
f SRS warning lamp 41,
283 g Engine diagnostics warning
lamp
284
h Main-beam indicator lamp
100
j Rev counter
119
k Fuel gauge
l Fuel filler cap location: cap
is on the right at the rear
m Reserve tank warning lamp
286
n Total distance recorder
125
o Trip meter
119
p Multi-function display
119
q Gearshift program display
116 Function Page
r Transmission position dis-
play
115
s Depending on the setting in
the on-board computer:
125
• outside temperature
6
• digital speedometer t Speedometer
130
u Clock
131
4
On vehicles without Distronic* the symbol lights up briefly but has no function.
5 Only on vehicles with tyre pressure monitor*.
6 Vehicles for the United Kingdom: the outside temperature is always displayed in the digital speedometer. At a glance
* optional
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Driving safety sys
tems581
Switch
X To activate: press button 1.
Button 1engages. The rear side windows
can only be operated using the switches on
the driver's door.
X To deactivate: press button1.
Button 1pops out and is flush with the
other buttons. You can operate the rear
side windows using the switches in the rear
compartment. Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R Adaptive brake lamps
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)
R EBV (electronic brake-power distribution)
R Distance warning function* (vehicles with
Distronic*)
i In wintry road conditions, always use win-
ter tyres (M+S tyres) and, where necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section
work as effectively as possible. G
Risk of accident
The risk of an accident is significantly
increased by driving too fast. This is partic-
ularly the case when cornering on wet and
slippery roads and when driving too close
to the vehicle in front.
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce this risk nor override
the laws of physics. For this reason, always adapt your driving
style to suit prevailing road and weather
conditions. Maintain sufficient distance
from other road users and objects on the
road.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 8 km/h
upwards, regardless of road surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently. G
Risk of accident
Do not depress the brake pedal several
times in quick succession (pumping).
Depress the brake firmly and evenly. Pump-
ing the brake pedal reduces the braking
effect.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.Safety
* optional
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Driving safety sys
tems 59
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Risk of accident
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. This limits the steerability of the
vehicle when braking and the braking dis-
tance may increase.
If ABS is deactivated due to a malfunction,
then BAS and ESP are also deactivated.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle
skidding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style
to suit the prevailing road and weather con-
ditions. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking sys-
tem remains available with full brake boost-
ing effect. However, braking force is not
automatically increased in emergency
braking situations and the stopping dis-
tance may increase. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 25 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you drive
faster than 10 km/h again. You can also
switch off the hazard warning lamps using the
hazard warning switch button (Y page 100). Safety
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Driving safety sys
tems 61
ETS (Electronic Traction Support) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side.
Traction control remains active when you
deactivate ESP ®
. G
Risk of accident
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of
an accident if you drive too fast. Traction
control cannot override the laws of physics.
i If heavy demands are made on the brakes,
traction control switches off automatically
for a brief period so that the brakes do not
heat up even further. The vwarning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up if
traction control is not engaging for this rea-
son. The message ABS, ESP unavailable
see Owner's Manual also appears in the
multi-function display.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running. It may be best to deactivate ESP
®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
Risk of accident
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi-
cle if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel
starts to spin.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. Spinning of the
wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the vwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehi-
cle. 1
To deactivate/activate ESP ®
X To deactivate: press button1.
The v warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. G
Risk of accident
If the v warning lamp in the instrument
cluster is continuously lit when the engine
is running, ESP ®
is deactivated or not avail-
able due to a malfunction. There is an
increased risk of your vehicle skidding in
certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style
to suit prevailing road and weather condi-
tions. Safety
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