2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 run flat

374 Operation
Tires and wheels
Install the valve cap.
Repeat this procedure for each tire.
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.The Run Flat Indicator may function in a re-
stricted manner or with a delay

if snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle

in presence of ice and snow

if you are driving on a loose surface
(e.g. sand or gravel)

if you are driving in a very sporty
manner (involving rapid acceleration or
high speeds in curves)
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release tire in-
flation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the
valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then recheck the
tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.Warning!G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire Pressure Check Tires,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
derinflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper tire inflation pressure as in-
dicated on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information placard or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label. Driving on a sig-
nificantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Un-
derinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Each tire, in-
cluding the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure as specified
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
(
page 366) or on the tire inflation pres-
sure label located on the inside of the fuel
filler flap (
page 352).


375 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating the Run Flat Indicator
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be
reactivated in the following situations:

if you have changed the tire inflation
pressure

if you have replaced the wheels or tires

if you have installed new wheels or
tires
Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or,
if available, the tire inflation pressure
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap,
make sure the tire inflation pressure of
all four tires is correct.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 164).
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 154).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator does not provide a
warning for wrongly selected tire inflation
pressures. Always adjust tire inflation pres-
sure according to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 366) or, if available, on the
tire inflation pressure label located on the
inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 352).
The Run Flat Indicator does not replace
regular checks of the tire inflation pressures
since a gradual pressure loss in more than
one tire cannot be detected by the Run Flat
Indicator.
The Run Flat Indicator is not able to issue a
warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of
tire inflation pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.
Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was
set, the system will monitor the pressure
according to the incorrect value.

376 Operation
Tires and wheels
If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
Run Flat Indicator
Restarted
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure
values for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or
Wait until the message
Restart
Run Flat Indicator?
disappears.Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)
The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
iThe Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the
instrument cluster (
page 26). Depending on
how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low tire
pressure condition or a malfunction in the TPMS
system itself:

If the telltale illuminates continuously, one
or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. There is no malfunction in the TPMS.

If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
iThis device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

442 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat Indicator.
There was a warning message about
a loss in the tire inflation pressure
and the Run Flat Indicator has not
been reactivated yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set
for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator (page 375).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeRun Flat Indicator is malfunctioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 373).
If necessary, replace the wheel (page 492).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure values (
page 375).
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes
.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.

513 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may
be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the recom-
mended towing methods can be employed.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment,
with the SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 104) and the
automatic central locking (
page 126).
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicles with all
wheels on the ground.
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the automatic trans-
mission is in neutral positionN.

560 Index
Replacing bulbs 480
Backup lamps 480, 481, 487
Brake lamps 480, 481, 487
Fog lamps, Front 480, 481, 483, 485
Fog lamp, Rear 480, 481, 487, 488
Headlamps 480, 481, 483
License plate lamps 480, 481, 487,
488
Low beam headlamps 480, 481, 483
Parking lamps 480, 481, 483, 485,
487, 488
Side marker lamps, Front 480, 487
Side marker lamps, Rear 480, 481,
487, 488
Standing lamps 480, 481, 483, 485,
487, 488
Tail lamps 480, 481, 487
Turn signal lamps 480, 481, 483,
485, 487
Reporting safety defects 18
Reset button, In instrument cluster 154Reset tool
Active head restraints,
Depository 478
Residual heat utilization 235
Restraint system
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
See Infant and child restraint systems
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 190, 194
Rims 395, 529
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance button see Tele Aid*
Roller sunblinds, Panorama roof* 252
RON 540
Roof rack* 288
Rubber parts, Cleaning 410
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 374S
Safety
Driving safety systems 99
Occupant safety 70
Reporting safety defects 18
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 166
Scissors-type vehicle jack 470
Seat belt force limiter 85
Seat belt height adjustment 52
Seat belts 82
Children in the vehicle 87
Cleaning 411
Fastening 50
Height adjustment 52
Proper use of 52, 84
Safety guidelines 74
Telltale 29, 82, 420
Seat heating* see Seats 140
Seat ventilation* see Seats
Seating capacity 367

564 Index
Checking 373
Checking manually 373
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 379
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 376
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 371
Tires 363, 529
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 379
Air pressure 393
Care and maintenance 364
Cleaning 365
Collapsible tire, Spare wheel 532
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 27
Direction of rotation, Spinning 365
Driving instructions 343
Hydroplaning 344
Important guidelines 363
Important notes, Tire inflation pressure 372
Inflation pressure 371, 373
Inspection 364
Load rating 384, 385, 395
Loading terminology 393
Loading the vehicle 366
Low tire pressure telltale 422
Ply composition and material
used 396
Retreads 363
Rims and tires 529
Rotating 396
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 374
Service life 364
Sizes 529
Snow chains 399
Spare wheel, Collapsible tire 532
Speed rating 345, 386, 396
Storing 365
Temperature 372, 392
Terminology 393
TIN 388, 395
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*, (USA only) 376
Total load limit 396TPMS malfunction telltale (USA
only) 422
Traction 344, 392, 396
Tread depth 365, 398
Treadwear indicators 365
Vehicle maximum load on 396
Wear pattern 397
Winter tires 398
Tongue Weight Rating see TWR
Tools 467
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 87
Towing eye bolts 515
Towing the vehicle 513
Tow-starting 511, 513
TPMS (USA only) 376
Traction 396
ETS/4-ETS, Driving safety
systems 103
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 348
Tread 396
Tread depth 365
Treadwear indicators 396
Trip computer 185
Trip odometer 155