2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV service

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All language versions of the following PD\f document for this vehicle model
relate solel\b to vehicles intended for sale on the German market and which
correspond to German regulations.
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Disclaimer
The following version of the Owner‘s Manual describes all models, series and
special equipment of your vehicle. Country-specific language variations are
possible. Please note that your vehicle might not be equipped with all the
described functions. This also affects safety-relevant systems and functions.
Please contact your authorised Mercedes-Benz dealership if you would like
to receive a printed Owner‘s Manual for other vehicle models and vehicle
model years.
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deviations affecting your specific vehicle could not be taken into account
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technology and makes changes to the form and the equipment.
Please also read the printed Owner‘s Manual, supplementary documents and
the digital Owner‘s Manual in the vehicle.
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Thank you for choosing Mercedes-Benz.
Before you drive off, familiarise yourself with
your vehicle and read this manual. This will
help you to obtain the maximum pleasure
from your vehicle and to avoid endangering
yourself and others.
Items of optional equipment are marked with
an asterisk *.
The equipment in your vehicle may vary,
depending on the model, the ordered items,
the country specifications and availability.
The illustrations in this manual show a left-
hand-drive vehicle. The arrangement of the
switches, levers, stowage compartments,
etc. will differ accordingly in a right-hand-
drive vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art and therefore
reserves the right to introduce changes in
design, equipment and technical features at
any time. You cannot, therefore, base any
claims on the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this manual.
Please consult a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre if you have any questions.
The Owner’s Manual, Brief Instructions,
Service Booklet and supplements related to
vehicle equipment belong with the vehicle.
You should always keep them in the vehicle and pass them on to the new owner if you sell
the vehicle.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
i
You can get to know the important fea-
tures of your vehicle in German and in
English in the interactive Owner's Manual
on the Internet at:
www.mercedes-benz.de/betriebsanlei-
tung
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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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5
CD player/CD changer
Operation (on-board computer) . . .126
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
KEYLESS GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70, 71
Central locking/unlocking button . ..75
Central unlocking Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
KEYLESS GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70, 71
Centre console
2nd row of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Changing a wheel
see Flat tyre
Child-proof locks
Rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Side windows (rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Children
in the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Restraint systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Child seat
Automatic recognition . . . . . . . . . . .50
Automatic recognition (malfunc-
tion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Child seat lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
ISOFIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
On the front-passenger seat . . . . . .49
Recommendation s.. . . . . . . . . . . . .53Suitable positions . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.51
TopTether . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Child seat lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Cockpit Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
COMAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . .123
see separate Operating Instructions
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Constant headlamp mode
Setting (on-board computer) . . . . .132
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Convenience closing . . . . . . . . . . . ..108
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Checking the level . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Display message . . . . . .265, 269, 270
Mixture ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360
Temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Cornering light
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Display message . . . . . . . . . .263, 264
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 D
Dashboard see Cockpit
see Instrument cluster
Date
Setting (on-board computer) . . . . .131
Daytime driving lights
see Constant headlamp mode
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Interior lighting (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Diesel
Low outside temperatures . . . . . . .220
Diesel engine
Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Digital speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . ..125
Setting the unit (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Dipped-beam headlamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Symmetrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..255
Service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Symbol messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Text messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 Index
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12 S
Safety net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Seat Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77, 78, 79
Adjusting (outer, 2nd row of
seats) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Correct driver's seat position . . . . . .96
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Seat belt
Adjusting the height . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96, 284
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Seat ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .278
Securing a load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Securing hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Selector lever Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Service products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360
Windscreen washer fluid . . . . . . . .362
Settings
Calling up a stored setting . . . . . . . .92
Factory (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . .68, 69
Factory (KEYLESS GO) . . . . . . . . . . .70
Factory (on-board computer) . . . . .129 Setting the unit (on-board computer)
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Shift ranges
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . .115
Sidebags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Side window Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Side windows
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Hinged side windows . . . . . . . . . . .107
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . ..178
Rain closing feature . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Sliding sunroof
see Panorama sliding sunroof
see Sliding/tilting sunroof
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
2nd row of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . .207
Speed
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Speed limiter
Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 Speedometer
Digital speedometer (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Setting the unit (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Speedtronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Display message . . . . . . . . . .263, 264
Permanent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Variabl e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Station
see Radio
Status line (on-board computer) . ..1 22
Selecting the displa y.. . . . . . . . ..131
Steering wheel
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Buttons (on-board computer) . . . . .120
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Steering wheel heating . . . . . . . . . . ..89
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
Stowage compartment . . . . . . . . . ..201
Armrest (under) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Centre console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Stowage compartments
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Index
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Protection of the environment
16 Protection of the environment
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of integra-
ted environmental protection.
The objectives are for the natural resources
which form the basis of our existence on
this planet to be used sparingly and in a
manner which takes the requirements of
both nature and humanity into account.
You too can help to protect the environ-
ment by operating your vehicle in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tyre wear depend
on the following factors:
R Operating conditions of your vehicle
R Your personal driving style
You can influence both factors.
You should bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions
R Avoid short trips as these increase fuel
consumption.
R Make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. R
Do not carry any unnecessary weight.
R Keep an eye on the vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
R Remove roof racks once you no longer
need them.
R A regularly serviced vehicle will contrib-
ute to environmental protection. You
should therefore adhere to the service
intervals.
R Always have maintenance work carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Personal driving style
R Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
R Do not warm up the engine with the vehi-
cle stationary.
R Drive carefully and maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front.
R Avoid frequent, sudden acceleration.
R Change gear in good time and use each
gear only up to 2
/ 3of its maximum engine
speed.
R Switch off the engine in stationary traffic. Returning used vehicles
Mercedes-Benz will take back your
Mercedes-Benz to dispose of it in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner, in accordance
with the European Union (EU) End of Life
Vehicles Directive.
The End of Life Vehicles Directive applies to
vehicles of up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, in
accordance with national regulations. For
several years, Mercedes-Benz has been
meeting all the legal requirements for a
design which allows for recycling and re-use.
There is a network of return points and dis-
assembly plants which can recycle your vehi-
cle in an environmentally-responsible man-
ner. The options for recycling vehicles and
parts are constantly being developed and
improved. This means that your Mercedes-
Benz will also continue to meet even the
increased recycling quotas in the future in
good time. You can obtain further information
from your national Mercedes-Benz homepage
or your national hotline number. Introduction
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Operating safety
17Operating safety
Safety notes
G
Risk of accident and injury
Always have work on the vehicle carried out
by a qualified specialist workshop. In par-
ticular, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems as well as maintenance
work must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. The workshop must have
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. G
Risk of accident and injury
Some safety systems only function when
the engine is running. You should therefore
never switch off the engine when driving.
Otherwise the safety systems of your vehi-
cle may not function correctly and as a
result will no longer protect you and other
persons as intended. In addition, there is a
risk that you may lose control of your vehi-
cle and thus cause an accident. G
Risk of accident and injury
Work carried out incorrectly, or alterations
made to the vehicle, e.g. rerouting of cables
under coverings, could cause the safety
systems of your vehicle to stop working
properly. The safety systems would thus no
longer protect you and other persons as
intended. In addition, there is a risk that you
may lose control of your vehicle and thus
cause an accident.
All work and alterations to the vehicle, e.g.
installations or modifications, should there-
fore be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
Risk of accident
If you drive over obstacles at high speed or
if the vehicle bottoms out in rough terrain,
it could cause heavy impacts to the vehicle
underbody, tyres or wheels. This could
cause your vehicle to be damaged, which in
turn might lead to an accident. This also
applies to vehicles which are equipped with
underbody protection.
You should therefore drive over obstacles
slowly and prevent the vehicle from bot-
toming out when driving off-road. If neces-
sary, have your vehicle inspected at a
qualified specialist workshop. G
Risk of accident
If work on electronic equipment and its
software is carried out incorrectly, this
equipment could stop working. The elec-
tronic systems are networked via interfa-
ces. Tampering with these electronic sys-
tems could cause malfunctions in systems
which have not been modified. Malfunc-
tions such as these can seriously jeopard-
ise the vehicle's operating safety and
therefore your own safety.
You should therefore have all work and
modifications to electronic components
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Vehicle registration
Mercedes-Benz may ask its Service Centres
to carry out technical inspections on certain
vehicles to improve their quality or safety.
If you did not purchase your vehicle from an
authorised specialist dealer and your vehicle
has never been inspected at a Mercedes-
Benz Service Centre, it is possible that your
vehicle is not registered in your name with
Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz can only
inform you about vehicle checks if it has your
registration data. Introduction
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Operating safety
18
It is advisable to register your vehicle with a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Inform Mercedes-Benz as soon as possible
about any change in address or vehicle own-
ership. Correct use
Observe the following information when using
your vehicle:
R The safety notes in this manual
R The "Technical data" section in this manual
R national road traffic regulations
R national road traffic licensing regulations G
Risk of injury
Various warning stickers are affixed to your
vehicle. Their purpose is to draw your atten-
tion, and the attention of others, to various
dangers. Therefore, do not remove any
warning stickers unless the sticker clearly
states that you may do so.
If you remove the warning stickers, you or
others could be injured by failing to recog-
nise certain dangers. Introduction
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