2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 ignition

453 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
FKey
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not detected
while the engine is running
because

the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the
vehicle

there is strong
radio-frequency interference
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Search for the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started
again after the engine is stopped.
The SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is momentarily
not detected.Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in
the starter switch if necessary.
Key
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not detected
while the ignition is switched on
(
page 39) and a door is
opened or closed and the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not in the vehicle.
Search for the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be locked
nor can the engine be started.
Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.

493 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 492).
Take the wheel wrench and the vehicle
jack from the vehicle tool kit
(
page 469).
Take the spare wheel from the wheel
well under the cargo compartment
floor (
page 472).Lifting the vehicle
iYou can use the power outlets, except for
the power outlet in the front center console, to
operate the electric air pump even when the
ignition is switched off, e.g. in order to inflate the
collapsible tire (
page 499).
An emergency shut-off feature ensures that the
vehicle’s electrical voltage does not fall below a
minimum level. If the voltage drops to this mini-
mum level, the power outlets are automatically
switched off. This ensures that enough power
remains to start the engine.
Warning!G
When jacking up the vehicle, only use the
jack which has been specifically approved
by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. Make
sure the jack arm is fully seated in the jack
take-up bracket.
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle dur-
ing a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is sup-
ported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.


505 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling
and reconnecting the battery
Step 1 (Disconnecting)
Set the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 192).
Firmly depress the parking brake
(
page 65).
Turn off the engine (page 66).
Leave the ignition switched on
(
page 39).
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for further information.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!G
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure that
also requires safety precautions to avoid the
risk of injury. We strongly recommend that it
be performed by a qualified technician or an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center only. Please read the instructions
fully before beginning operation and only
undertake it if you feel fully capable of
performing all of the tasks involved as
described in these instructions. Observe all
safety instructions and precautions when
handling automotive batteries
(
page 503). Performing the tasks involved
incorrectly can cause damage to the vehicle
and impair the operating safety of the
vehicle, and/or cause severe injury to you
or others.
iWith a disconnected battery you will no
longer be able to turn the SmartKey in the
starter switch and pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button will have no effect.
iIf your battery is discharged, the vehicle
must be jump started (
page 511) using the
jump start contacts in the engine compartment,
or an accessory battery charge unit* approved
by Mercedes-Benz must be connected using the
jump start contacts in the engine compartment
(see separate instructions for the accessory
battery charge unit*) before any of the following
steps can be performed. If the battery cannot be
jumped or charged, please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.


507 Practical hints
Battery
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0.
After turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
with the driver’s door closed, the
starter switch is in position1.
With the driver’s door opened, the
starter switch is set to position0,
same as SmartKey removed from
starter switch (
page 41).Step 3 (Disconnecting)
4Seat rail, rear
5Seat rail cover, rear
Pull seat rail cover 5 away from seat
rail 4 on both sides as indicated by
arrows.
Pull off seat rail cover 5 to the rear as
indicated by arrow.Step 4 (Disconnecting)
6Floor carpet
Pull back and fold floor carpet6 in
direction of the arrow.
iIf the vehicle battery is discharged and you
had the vehicle jump started, turn off the engine.
iTo release the floor carpet perforations (see
dotted line in above illustration), you will have to
apply somewhat greater force when pulling the
floor carpet back.

514 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on, shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 56).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine

using the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

or when using the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button and open a front door
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

515 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 41).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
Release the brake pedal.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 56).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the
starter switch.
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
Example illustration R 550 4MATIC
1Towing eye cover
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

553 Index
H
Halogen headlamps see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 411
Hazard warning flasher 150
Head restraints
Active head restraint 86, 133
Front seats 45
Rear seats 135, 136
Headlamp cleaning system* 203, 362
Reservoir capacity 538
Headlamp shut-off delay see Delayed
shut-off, Exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 144
Bi-Xenon* 481
Cleaning lenses 407
Cleaning system* 203, 362
Halogen 481
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 455
Manual headlamp mode 144
Messages in the multifunction
display 455–460
Replacing bulbs 480, 481
Switch 58, 143Headliner, Cleaning 411
Heated seats see Seats
Heated steering wheel* 318
High beam flasher 58, 148
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 456
Replacing 480
Switching on 58, 147
High mounted brake lamp 481
Hinged quarter windows* see
Power windows
Hood 356
Messages in the multifunction
display 452
Opening 356
Hooks
Loading 291
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control or
Automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Hydroplaning 344I
Identification label see Labels
Ignition 40, 53, 66
Immobilizer 106
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation
pressure
Information button see Tele Aid*
Infrared reflecting windshield* 336
Inside door handle 118
Instrument cluster 26, 154
Illumination brightness 154
Lamps 414
Messages in the multifunction
display 427–466
Multifunction display 157
Selecting language 174