2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 warning

285 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching on
Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.
Switch off the ignition (page 39).
Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(
page 408).
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
or
Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
Rear view camera*
iThe Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 39).
Warning!G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are

very close to the rear bumper

under the rear bumper

above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.

286 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The rear view camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows you the area behind the vehi-
cle in the COMAND system display when
reverse gear R is engaged, for example
during parallel parking.
The rear view camera is located near the
tailgate handle.
1Rear view camera
Warning!G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Warning!G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if

the tailgate is open

it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy

it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark

the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light

the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)

there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated
garage from the cold (lens condensa-
tion)

the camera lens is dirty or covered

the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and set-
ting of the camera checked by a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
contact a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.

288 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack*
1Trim coverFlip roof trim covers 1 open.
Attach the roof rack to the attachment
points under roof trim covers 1.
Follow roof rack manufacturer’s
installation instructions.
For further information, inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Only use the roof rack when the basic
carrier bars have been completely mounted.
The left and right roof rails are only
stabilized by means of the basic carriers
being mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that the
vehicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

you can completely raise the tilt/sliding
sunroof* (or tilt/sliding panel*) at the rear

you can open the tilt/sliding sunroof* (or
tilt/sliding panel*) completely

you can open the tailgate completely

289 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
Load distribution
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers, and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 524). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-
cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 524).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 367).
The handling characteristics of a fully
loaded vehicle depend greatly on the load
distribution. It is therefore recommended
to load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible using cargo tie-down
rings and fastening materials appropriate
for the weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items will be
thrown around inside the vehicle, and can
cause injury to vehicle occupants unless the
items are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a
collision or sudden maneuver, always use
tie-down rings and, if so equipped, always
use the cargo net* when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

292 Controls in detail
Loading
Expanding cargo compartment
You can separately fold each seat of the
rear passenger compartment to expand
the cargo compartment.
You can expand the cargo compartment

in part, i.e. folding third-row seats
(
page 292)

fully, i.e. folding second-row and
third-row seats (
page 293)Expanding cargo compartment in part
Folding third-row seats
Completely lower the head restraints of
the third-row seats.
1Seat belt holder
2Release handle
3Seat backrest
Warning!G
When expanding the cargo compartment,
always fully fold the corresponding seats
and, if so equipped, always use the cargo
net* (
page 301) when transporting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests must remain properly locked in
the upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items will be
thrown around inside the vehicle, and can
cause injury to vehicle occupants unless the
items are securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(
page 290).
Warning!G
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
!When the outboard second-row seats are
folded forward, the front seats may not be
moved to the rearmost position. Otherwise you
could damage the front and outboard sec-
ond-row seats.
!Close the cup holders in front of the
second-row seats before folding the second-row
seats. Otherwise you could damage the cup
holders and the second-row seats.
iThe third-row head restraints are adjusted in
the same manner as the head restraints of the
second-row seats (
page 135).

293 Controls in detail
Loading
Place seat belt in seat belt holder 1.
Pull release handle 2 on seat
backrest3 in direction of arrow.
Seat backrest 3 is released.
3Seat backrest
4Seat cushion
5Strap
Move seat backrest 3 slightly for-
ward.
Seat cushion 4 is released and folds
forward automatically.
Fold seat backrest 3 to a horizontal
position.Expanding cargo compartment fully
iStrap 5 serves to pull up the seat backrest
when bringing the third-row seats back to their
original position (
page 297).
WarningG
Folded second-row seats are intended to
serve as cargo compartment expansion in
conjunction with folded third-row seats
only. Do not fold the second-row seats and
allow third-row seat occupants to use folded
second-row seats as a footrest while driving.
Third-row seat occupants must, like all vehi-
cle occupants, keep both feet on the floor in
front of their seat. Otherwise, occupants
could slide under the seat belt in a collision.
If occupants slide under it, the belt would
apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries.


297 Controls in detail
Loading
Returning seats to their original posi-
tion
Third-row seats
Reach into strap 8 (page 296) and
pull seat backrest 3 (
page 296) into
a vertical position.
Pull release handle 2 (page 296)
and adjust seat backrest 3
(
page 296) to the desired position.
Move seat cushion 7 (page 296) to
a vertical position.
Fold seat cushion 7 (page 296)
towards the seat backrest until it
audibly engages.Outboard second-row seats
Pull release lever 3 past the
resistance point as far as it will go
(
page 295) and move up the seat
backrest to an angle of approximately
45 degrees.
Install the head restraint (page 137).
Adjust the seat backrest to the desired
position (
page 134).
Check whether the seat is properly
locked, see “Lock status indicators
(outboard second-row seats)”
(
page 298).
Adjust the seat fore or aft to the
desired position (
page 134).
Warning!G
Make sure

the seats are properly locked

the seat backrests are in an upright
position and are properly locked
An outboard second-row seat is properly
locked only when lock status indicator 1 is
in hinged position and red marking 2 is
barely visible, see “Lock status indicators
(outboard second-row seats)”
(
page 298).
If a seat and seat backrest are not properly
locked, the seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide
under the seat belt during braking, vehicle
maneuvers, or in an accident. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries.
!When returning the seats to their original
position, it is important to proceed in the
following order:

third-row seats

outboard second-row seats

second-row middle seat*
Otherwise, you could damage the seats.
!Do not fold up seat cushion 7 before fold-
ing seat backrest 3, see “Folding third-row
seats” (
page 296), as this could damage the
upholstery.

301 Controls in detail
Loading
When not in use, you can attach the cover
blind extensions to the cover blind.
5Extension guide rail
6Mounting
With the cargo compartment cover
installed behind third-row seats, insert
extension guide rail 5 into
mounting6.
Push extension into mounting6 as far
as it will go.
Cargo net*Use of the cargo net is a particularly
important safety factor when the vehicle is
loaded higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects. For your
safety, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo.
The cargo net can be installed in two
locations:
1Holder behind B-pillar
2Holder behind C-pillar
Warning!G
Make sure the cargo net is properly engaged
at top and bottom position and the tighten-
ing belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged cargo net.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or
sudden maneuver, always use cargo net
when transporting cargo.
The cargo net cannot prevent the movement
of large, heavier objects into the passenger
compartment in an accident. Such items
must be properly secured using the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo compartment
floor (
page 290).
Passenger use of seats behind installed
cargo net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net.