2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 automatic transmission

56 Getting started
Driving
Repeat the starting procedure
(
page 53). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 511).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center or call Roadside
Assistance.
Parking brake
1Release handle
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.
Shift the automatic transmission
toDorR (
page 192).
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Children could release
the parking brake, which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in motion.
iShifting from gear positionP to position R,
N, orD is only possible with the brake pedal
depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed,
the gear selector lever can be moved, but the
parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.


57 Getting started
Driving
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine) to reach its operating tem-
perature earlier.For more information, see
“Driving instructions” (
page 339).
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release Parking Brake appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 56).
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 183).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP orR only when the vehicle is stopped
in order to avoid damaging the transmission.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the
engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

61 Getting started
Driving
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 (
page 59) to
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 (
page 59) past
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 362).
Rear window wiper/washer
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Rear window wiper switch
2Wiping rear window with washer fluid
3Intermittent wiping
4Rear window wiper off
5Wiping rear window with washer fluid
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when all
doors are closed and

the automatic transmission is set to
positionD or R
or

the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch
iTo prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with wind-
shield washer fluid every now and then even
when it is raining.

62 Getting started
Driving
6Rear window wiper indicator
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Activating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position3.
In the lower multifunction display you
will see indicator6, indicating that
the rear window wiper is activated.Deactivating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position4 (
page 61).
Indicator6 for the rear window wiper
is cleared from the lower multifunction
display, indicating that the rear window
wiper is deactivated.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Turn and hold rear window wiper
switch 1 in position 2 or 5
(
page 61) until the rear window is
clean.
The rear window wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 362).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged
(gasoline engine only).

The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it
(gasoline engine only).
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
iThe rear window wiper engages auto-
matically when the automatic transmission is
shifted to positionR with the windshield wipers
switched on.

64 Getting started
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a
result of vehicle movement, before turning
off the engine and leaving the vehicle
always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM.
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 143).
Warning!G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the
vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when
the parking brake is engaged.Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of positionP,
either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the auto-
matic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 192).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

66 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 192).
Apply the parking brake (page 65).Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 40).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) to turn off the
engine.
With the driver’s door closed, the
starter switch is now in position1. With
the driver’s door opened, the starter
switch is set to position0, same as
SmartKey removed from starter switch
(
page 39).
iIf the engine cannot be turned off as
described, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 520).
Warning!G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the
engine not running, there is no power assis-
tance 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.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 192).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
!Observe instructions when taking the
vehicle through an automatic conveyor type
car wash (
page 406).
!If you turn off the engine using the
SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone only will automatically shift the
automatic transmission to neutral positionN.
iIn an emergency you can turn off the engine
while driving by pressing and holding the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button for
approximately 3 seconds.
!If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open a front
door, the automatic transmission will shift to
park positionP automatically.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine using
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone only
will automatically shift the automatic transmis-
sion to neutral positionN.

109 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Climate control
3-zone automatic climate control*
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Panorama roof with power tilt/slid-
ing panel*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features