2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 shift gears

202 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Extending gear range
Briefly press right shift button2.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmis-
sion.Canceling gear range limitPress and hold right shift button2
until the cipher for the current gear
range disappears from the multifunc-
tion display (
page 199).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range
Press and hold left shift button1.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Shift to park positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Shift to drive positionD (for second
gear) or reverse gearR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
iIf you press on the accelerator when the en-
gine has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.

338 Operation
In the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.

During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive
engine speeds (no more than
2/3 of
maximum rpm in each gear).

Shift gears in a timely manner.

Avoid accelerating by kick-down.

Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.

Select gear3, 2 or1 (page 199) only
when driving at moderate speeds (for
hill driving).

SelectCas the preferred shift
program (
page 200) for the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km).After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine
speeds to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when
driving the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) af-
ter the engine, the transfer case, the front
differential or the rear differential has been
replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.

434 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Depress brake
to shift out of P.You have tried to shift the automatic
transmission into position D, R or N
using the gear selector lever without
depressing the brake pedal.Depress the brake pedal.
Door Open
Vehicle Not In ParkYou have opened the driver’s door
and the automatic transmission is
still in position D, R or N.Before you leave the vehicle, make sure
that the automatic transmission is set to
position P and that the parking brake is
engaged.
Drive to workshop
without
shifting gears
.
The automatic transmission cannot
be shifted out of the set position be-
cause of a malfunction.If the automatic transmission is set to
positionD:
Without changing the automatic transmis-
sion from position D, drive to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to
positionN, R or P:
Do not drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

546 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 222
Air conditioning, Cooling 233
Air conditioning refrigerant 538
Air distribution 228
Air recirculation mode 231
Air vents, Front 222, 228
Air vents, Rear 236, 239, 240
Air volume 229
Control panel, Front 224
Control panel, Rear 236
Deactivating system 226
Defogging 230
Defrosting 229
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL 231
Rear passenger compartment 236
Residual heat utilization (REST) 235
Automatic headlamp mode 144
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 151
Automatic locking when driving 126
Automatic shift program 200Automatic transmission 190
Accelerator position 197
Automatic shift program 200
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 202
Gear ranges 199
Gear selector lever 53, 190
Gear shifting malfunctions 202
Hill start assist system 198
Kickdown 197
Program mode selector switch 200
Shifting procedure 193
Starting the engine 53
Steering wheel gearshift control 201
Transmission fluid level 360
Transmission positions 194
Automatic transmission fluid see ATF
AUX-socket 304B
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 132
Seat, Multicontour* 132
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 455–460
Replacing bulbs 480
Bar 394
BAS 101
Lamps in instrument cluster 414
Messages in the multifunction
display 429
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 110, 113
Checking battery condition 118
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 118
Battery, Vehicle 503
Charging 510
Disconnecting and connecting 505
Jump starting 511
Removing and installing 505
Bead 394
Beverage holder see Cup holder

552 Index
Fuel 352, 537, 539
Additives 540
Capacities, Fuel tank 537
Consumption statistics 185
Filling the tank 352
Fuel filler flap and cap 352
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 424
Premium unleaded
gasoline 352, 539, 540
Requirements, Octane rating 540
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 452
Fuel filler flap 352
Locking/unlocking 352
Opening 352
Opening in an emergency 475
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 536Fuses 518
Fuse box, Cargo compartment 519
Fuse box, Engine compartment 519
Fuse box, Passenger
compartment 520
Fuse chart 467, 518
Fuse extractor 467, 518
Replacing 518
Spare fuses 467, 518
G
Garage door opener 329
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 394
Gear range
Automatic transmission 199
Limiting 199
Shifting into optimal 202Gear selector lever 25, 53, 190
Gearshift pattern 53, 190
Message in the display 437
Messages in the multifunction
display 437
Position 193
Shifting procedure 193
Transmission position 194
Global locking/unlocking see
Key, SmartKey
Glove box 304
Good visibility 203
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GTW 394
GVW 394
GVWR 394

558 Index
Odometer 155, 157
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 201
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 407
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 401
Overhead control panel 33
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 349
P
Paintwork code 524
Paintwork, Cleaning 404
Panic alarm 98
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 252
Cleaning 410
Convenience closing feature 245
Opening/closing 253
Roller sunblinds 252
Stopping 253
Summer opening feature 244
Synchronizing 255Parcel nets 307
Parking 64, 343
Parking brake 56, 65
Lamps, Indicator and warning 415
Messages in the multifunction
display 446
Releasing 56
Parking lamps 481
Messages in the multifunction
display 458
Replacing bulbs 480
Parktronic* (Parking assist) 281
Cleaning system sensors 408
Minimum distance 283
Range 282
Sensor cover 408
Switching on/off 284
System malfunction 285
System sensors 282
Warning indicators 283
Parts service 522
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lampPassenger compartment 347
Fuse box 520
Interior lighting 150
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 339
Permanent four-wheel drive 281
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning 410
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 526
Positions (Memory function*) see
Seats 142
Power assistance 340
Power outlets 314
Power seats see Seats
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 248
Convenience closing feature 245
Opening/closing 248
Stopping 245
Summer opening feature 244
Synchronizing 250
Power washer 404

562 Index
SRS 84
Indicator lamp 424
Messages in the multifunction
display 437
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 480, 481
Standing water, Driving through 347
Starter switch 24, 39
Positions 39
Starting difficulties, Engine 55
Starting, Engine 53
Steering column 46, 47
Steering wheel
Adjusting, Electrically* 47
Adjusting, Manually 46
Buttons 158
Cleaning 411
Heating* 318
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 201
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 329Storage compartments 34, 304
Armrest, Front 306
Armrest, Rear* 306
Cup holders 308
Door pockets 34
Front center console 305
Glove box 304
Parcel nets 307
Second-row seats, In front of 307
Third-row 307
Storing tires 365
Stranded vehicle 517
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 205
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof* 248
Sunshades*
Rear door windows 207
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 15T
Tachometer 29, 155
Overspeed range 155
Tail lamps 487
Cleaning lenses 407
Messages in the multifunction
display 455–460
Replacing bulbs 481
Tailgate
Closing 119
Closing from the outside (vehicles
without KEYLESS-GO*) 124
Opening 119, 120
Opening from the inside,
Electrically* 121, 123
Opening from the inside,
Manually 120
Opening from the outside 120
Unlocking and opening with
KEYLESS-GO* 121
Unlocking with SmartKey 121
Tar stains 404