2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 winter tires

387 Operation
Tires and wheels

At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description
is comprised of the tire load rating5
(
page 384) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 384).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 384) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed
capability. If a service description5 and6
(
page 384) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S. for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated radial-ply tires provide
special winter performance. Make sure the
tires you use show M+S and the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in snow
conditions.

398 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 544).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake marking.on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
4-ETS, and EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available at your tire
dealer or any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

399 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 529).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 532).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.!Vehicles with Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)*: When driving with snow chains,
do not select SPORT mode (
page 276) as this
could result in damage to the vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, use of snow chains is
not permissible with the spare wheel.
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 104)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This will
improve the vehicle’s traction.

443 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors are defect (e.g.
battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
---
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the Advanced TPMS* checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by
---
instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to a nearby
radio interference source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been
removed, the TPMS or Advanced TPMS* automati-
cally becomes active again after a few minutes
driving.

529 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressures is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 366). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 372)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 372). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for more information.

530 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC
R 3501
R 350 4MATIC
R 320 CDI 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 350 (Sport Package*)1
R 350 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 550 4MATIC2
R 550 4MATIC (Sport Package*)2
Rims (light alloy)8 J x 18 H28Jx19H2
Wheel offset2.64 in (67 mm)2.64 in (67 mm)
All-season tires3255/55 R18 105H M+S255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S
Winter tires3,4255/55 R18 105H M+S.255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
1USA only.2Canada only.3Radial-ply tires4Not available as factory equipment.

531 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 350 (Sport Package*)1
R 350 4MATIC (Sport Package*)
R 550 4MATIC (Sport Package*)2
R 320 CDI 4MATIC*
R350*1
R350 4MATIC*
R550 4MATIC*2
AMG rims (light alloy)8.5Jx19H28.5Jx20H2
Wheel offset2.52 in (64 mm)2.36 in (60 mm)
All-season tires1255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S –
Summer tires3 –265/45 ZR20 104Y
Winter tires3,4255/50 R19 107H XL (Extra Load) M+S. –
1USA only.2Canada only.3Radial-ply tires4Not available as factory equipment.

561 Index
Seats 128
Adjusting 43
Easy entry/exit feature 128
Heating* 139
Memory function* 141
Multicontour seat* 132
Ventilation* 140
Securing cargo 290
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
Lamps in the instrument cluster 414
OCS 82
Tele Aid* 323
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see Maintenance, Service
indicator message 402
Service life
Tires 364
Vehicle battery 503
Service, Parts 522
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance SystemSettings
AIRMATIC* 276
Clock 176
Comfort functions* 183
Control system menus 160, 162
Control system
submenus 161, 163, 171
Date 176
Distance warning function* 185
Factory, SmartKey 112
Factory, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Individual, Vehicle 170
Instrument cluster 174
Language, multifunction display 175
Lighting 177
Memory function* 141
Resetting all, Control system 171
Selective, SmartKey 112
Selective, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 117
Time 176
Vehicle level control* 277Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 200
Shifting, Automatic transmission 190
Side impact air bags 76
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 407
Messages in the multifunction
display 458
Replacing bulbs 480, 481
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 395
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 113
Snow chains 399
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare fuses 467
Spare wheel 471, 532
Inflating 499
Mounting 493
Wheel bolts 467, 498
Speed settings
Cruise control 261
Distronic* (Canada only) 268
Speedometer 27
Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation