2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 windshield wipers

203 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
For information on windshield wipers, see
“Windshield wipers” (
page 59).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The headlamps will automatically be
cleaned with a high-pressure water jet
when you have

switched on the headlamps
and

operated the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid five times
When you switch off headlamps, the
counter resets.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 362).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 48).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
1Lever
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position
by moving lever1 towards the wind-
shield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on
and

incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirror will not react if

the automatic transmission is set to
positionR

the interior lighting is turned on

216 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press button| (page 210) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again. The air conditioning compressor
remains switched on.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 59).
Press button| (page 210).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The climate control switches automatically
to the following functions:

most efficient blower speed and
heating power, depending on outside
temperature

air flows onto the windshield and the
front door windows (side air vents must
be open)

the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
If the automatic air distribution is switched
off:
Press air distribution button 9 or a
(
page 210).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
iTo switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 210).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 219) is activated, or
press button|.

230 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Press button
to decrease or
buttonQ to increase the air volume
(
page 224) to the desired level.
The air volume decreases/increases to
the next lower/higher blower speed
and heating switches to the tempera-
ture that was set before the front de-
froster was switched on.
The indicator lamp on button|
goes out. The indicator lamp on
button9 comes on.
or
Turn temperature
control1and/or9 (
page 224)
slightly in any direction.
Heating switches to the temperature
that was set before the front defroster
was switched on.
The indicator lamp on button|
goes out. The indicator lamp on
button9 comes on.Deactivating
Press button| (page 224).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 59).
Press buttonU (page 224).
The indicator lamp on button U
goes out. Air volume and air
distribution are controlled separately
for each zone.
If the automatic air distribution and air
volume are switched off:
Press buttons8 and Y
(
page 224).
iThe air conditioning compressor remains on
even if the indicator lamp in button| goes
out. This helps to prevent the windshield from
fogging.
iTo switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 224).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

357 Operation
Engine compartment
The hood lock release lever is located in
the driver’s footwell.
1Hood lock release lever
Pull release lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked. Handle2 pro-
trudes slightly from the radiator grille.
If not, lift the hood slightly.2Handle for opening the hood
Press and hold handle2.
The hood is unlocked.
Pull up on the hood in direction of
arrow and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!G
Vehicles with diesel engine:
The engine is equipped with a high-voltage
electronic control unit for the injection
system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components of the
injection system (injectors, electrical wires)

with the engine running

while starting the engine

when the ignition is switched on
!To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.

405 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every
engine cleaning. Before applying, all con-
trol linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
To protect the filter system, switch the
climate control system (
page 208) or
the automatic climate control system*
(
page 222) to air recirculation mode.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it
before running it through the automatic
car wash.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close
proximity, i.e. within approximately
3 ft (approximately 1 m), the vehicle could be
inadvertently locked or unlocked.
!Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 60). Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.

409 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Fold wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild
window cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.!Do not clean the camera and the area
around the camera:

with a high-pressure cleaner

with a dry cloth and high pressure

with aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.

489 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Front wiper blades
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0
(
page 41).Removing
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.
1Wiper blade
2Tab
3Wiper arm
Press tabs2 together.
Tilt wiper blade 1 away from wiper
arm 3.
Take off wiper blade 1 in direction of
arrow.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure
the vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.
Warning!G
Wiper blades are components that are
subject to wear and tear. Replace the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not
be able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the wind-
shield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.

554 Index
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 150
Delayed switch-off 180
Interior rear view mirror 48
Antiglare position 203
Auto-dimming* 203
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers 60
J
Jack 467, 469, 470
Jacking up the vehicle 493
Jump starting 511K
Key, Mechanical 474
Key, SmartKey 110
Batteries 118, 479
Battery check lamp 110
Checking battery condition 118
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing the tilt/sliding panel*
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing, Power tailgate* 124
Factory settings 112
Locking/unlocking 38, 67, 110
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 112
Loss of 118
Messages in the multifunction
display 453–454
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 244
Opening the tilt/sliding panel*
(Summer opening feature) 244
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 244Remote control 110
Replacing batteries 479
Selective settings 112
Starter switch positions 39
Starting the engine 53
Turning off the engine 66
Unlocking and opening, Power
tailgate* 121
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Batteries 118, 479
Battery check lamp 113
Checking battery condition 118
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing the tilt/sliding panel*
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 245
Closing/locking, Power
tailgate* 124
Factory settings 116
Important notes 115
Locking/unlocking 39, 67, 113
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 117
Loss of 118