2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV trailer

4Selector lever positions . . . . . . . .
.114
Shift ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Auxiliary heating . . . . . . . . . . ..174, 300
Display message . . . . . . . . . .276, 277
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Setting (on-board computer) . . . . .130
Auxiliary ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . ..174
Axle load, maximum permissible
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352, 353 B
Ball coupling Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
BAS (Brake Assist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..59
Basic display (on-board computer) .125
Battery Changing (auxiliary heating
remote control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Changing (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Changing (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . .305
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Checking (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Checking (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . .305
Check lamp (key ).. . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Check lamp (KEYLESS GO key) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71, 305
Disconnecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265 Maintenance (vehicle
).. . . . . . . ..323
Reconnecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328
Removing/fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323
Belt force limiters
Activatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Belt height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . ..96
Belt tensioners Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Belt warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Bonnet Bonnet catch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Bonnet release lever
Release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Brake
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .282, 283
Brake Assist
see BAS
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
Brake lamps
Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272
Brake system
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265
Bulb
Brake lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.308, 310
Dipped-beam headlamps . . . . . . . .308
Licence plate lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
Main-beam headlamps . . . . . . . . . .308
Parking lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Rear foglamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Reversing lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Side lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Tail lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Turn signal lamp . . . . . . . . . .309, 310
see Lamp
Bulbs
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306 C
Calling up a malfunction see Message memory menu
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Distronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Exhaust tail pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
High-pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . .244
Parktroni c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Plastic trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Trailer tow hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248 Index
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 4Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

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
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 6Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

7
Emergency spare wheel
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317
see Flat tyre
Emergency unlocking
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302
Engine
Running irregularl y.. . . . . . . . . . . .291
Starting problems . . . . . . . . .290, 291
Starting with KEYLESS GO . . . . . . .111
Starting with the key . . . . . . . . . . .110
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342
Engine diagnostic warning lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Engine electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..339
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Engine number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274
Filler neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) .60
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . . .61
Display message . . . . . . . . . .258, 259
Trailer stabilisatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60, 282
ETS (Electronic Traction Support) . ..61
Exterior lighting Delayed switch-off (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 Exterior mirrors
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic) . . . . .91
Folding in/out (automatically ).. . . .91
Folding in/out (electrically) . . . . . . .91
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Parking position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Resettin g.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Exterior view
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 F
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Flat tyre Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
MOExtended run-flat system . . . . .322
Preparing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . .313
TIREFIT kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
Floormat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Foglamps Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Foot-operated parking brake
see Parking brake
Fording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234 Frequencies
Garage door opene r.. . . . . . . . . . .363
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340
Front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Front-passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . ..45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Diese l.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . ..356, 357
Fuel filler flap Emergency release . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Fuel filter
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
Fuel line
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Fuel tank
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Fuse allocation chart . . . . . . . . . . ..333
Fuse box Dashboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . .334
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . .334
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333 Index
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 7Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

11
Parking lamps
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Parking position
Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger sid e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Parktronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Activating/deactivating . . . . . . . . .157
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Range of the sensors . . . . . . . . . . .155
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Warning display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF warning
lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50, 279
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Permanent Speedtronic . . . . . . . . ..151
Petrol Minimum grad e.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Plastic trim
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Power supply (trailer) . . . . . . . . . . ..241
Power windows see Side window
Pre-emptive occupant safety system
see PRE-SAFE ®
PRE-SAFE ®
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Program selector button
Automatic transmission . . . . . . . . .116 Pulling away
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 R
Radio Changing a station (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
see separate operating instructions
Radio-controlled equipment
Installatio n.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Rain closing feature
Sliding/tilting sunroo f.. . . . . . . ..180
Rain sensor
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Range (on-board computer) . . . . . ..138
Rear axle level control . . . . . . . . . ..151
Rear-compartment seats . . . . . . . . ..81
Rear foglamp Display messag e.. . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Rear-view mirror
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Anti-dazzle (manual) . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Anti-dazzle mode (automatic) . . . . .91
Rear window
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . ..173
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . ..105
Replacing the wiper blade . . . . . . .312
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218 Remote control
Auxiliary heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Changing the batteries (auxiliary
heating) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Garage door opener . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Programming (garage door
opener) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . ..311
Reserve Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Reserve fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Restraint System
see SRS
Restraint systems
For children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Reversing camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..157
Reversing lamp Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Roller sunblind
Opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Rear side window . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Roof load, maximum
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352, 353
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Run-on time (mobile phone) . . . . . ..209 Index
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 11Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

13
Stowage space
Centre air vents (2nd row of seats) 203
Centre console (2nd row of seats) .203
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
Third row of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
Submenu (on-board computer) . . ..1 29
Convenience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Time/date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Summer opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Sun visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Surround lighting
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Switching off the alarm
ATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63T
Tailgate Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Limiting the opening angl e.. . . . . ..75 Opening/closing (automatically) . .
.73
Opening/closing (manually) . . . . . . .71
Tail lamps
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
Tank contents Calling up the range (on-board
computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Technical data
Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Emergency spare wheel . . . . . . . . .349
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342
Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Trailer loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346, 348
Vehicle dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . .350
Vehicle weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346, 348
Telephone
see Mobile phone
Temperature
Outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . .120
Thermatic
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
Thermotronic
Malfunction indicator lamp . . . . . .279
Third brake lamp
Display message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272
Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..322 Time
Setting (on-board computer) . . . . .131
Setting the time (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
TIREFIT kit
Using . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
TopTether . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Total distance recorder . . . . . ..26, 125
Resetting the trip meter . . . . . . . . .119
Tow-away protection . . . . . . . . . . . . ..64
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Towing eye Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Trailer
7-pin connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Coupling up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Decoupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Display message . . . . . . . . . .270, 271
Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Trailer loads
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354
Trailer tow hitch
Notes on care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Trailer towing
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
ESP ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299 Index
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 13Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Driving safety sys
tems60 ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between tyres and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified, if
necessary, to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the vwarning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Risk of accident
If the v warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R do not deactivate ESP ®
under any cir-
cumstances.
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit prevailing
road and weather conditions.
The vehicle could otherwise go into a skid. ESP
®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident
if you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override
the laws of physics.
! If you have the vehicle towed with the
front or rear axle raised, the ignition must
be switched off (key in position 0or 1in the
ignition lock). Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise destroy the braking system on
the front or rear axle.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC*: operate the vehi-
cle only briefly (for a maximum of ten sec-
onds) on a brake dynamometer. Turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 0or 1.
You could otherwise damage the drive train
or the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC*: function or per-
formance tests may only be carried out on
a 2-axle dynamometer. If you wish to oper-
ate the vehicle on such a dynamometer,
please consult a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre in advance. You could otherwise
damage the drive train or the brake system. i
Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation If your trailer begins to lurch, you can only
stabilise the vehicle/trailer combination by
depressing the brake firmly.
In this situation, ESP
®
assists you and detects
if the trailer begins to lurch. ESP ®
slows the
vehicle down by braking and limiting the
engine output so the vehicle/trailer combi-
nation can stabilise.
Trailer stabilisation is active from about
65 km/h. G
Risk of accident
If road and weather conditions are bad,
trailer stabilisation will not be able to pre-
vent the trailer from swerving and thereby
reduce the risk of accident. Trailers with a
high centre of gravity can tip over before
ESP ®
can detect this.
Trailer stabilising does not work if ESP ®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function. Safety
* optional
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 60 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Transmission
117
R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R an increase in traction. This improves the
driving stability of the vehicle on slippery
road surfaces, for example.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven at lower
engine speeds and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Gearshift program Sis characterised by the
following:
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later.
Driving tips Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration. X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing
X Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or 2depending
on the incline of the uphill or downhill gra-
dient (Y page 115), even if cruise control is
activated. DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gear-
shift buttons
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons. 1
Left-hand button: to restrict the shift
range
2 Right-hand button: to derestrict the shift
range
i When the automatic transmission is in
position P,Nor R, you cannot shift gears
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons.
Derestricting the shift range X
Press right-hand button 2on the steering
wheel.
The shift range is derestricted
(Y page 115). The automatic transmission
shifts up to the next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel- Controls
251_AKB; 5; 7, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 117 ZDateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

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
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T14:51:51+02:00 - Seite 140 Dateiname: 6515_1825_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight