2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 parking brake

514 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on, shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 56).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance 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. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the automatic transmission must be
in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine

using the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

or when using the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button and open a front door
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

515 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 41).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
Release the brake pedal.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 56).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the
starter switch.
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
Example illustration R 550 4MATIC
1Towing eye cover
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

518 Practical hints
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation
and fuse amperages. It is located in the
cargo compartment with the vehicle tool
kit (
page 469).
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

on the passenger side of the engine
compartment (
page 519)

in the cargo compartment
(
page 519)

in the passenger compartment
(
page 520)Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Make sure automatic transmission is
set to position P (
page 192).
The gear position indicator in the
multifunction display should be on
P.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 66).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch to position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from starter switch). The
driver’s door can then be closed
again.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.

557 Index
Multifunction display
messages 427–466
ABS 429, 436
AIRMATIC* 465
Brake fluid 447
Brake pads 445
Coolant 448–450
Cruise control 430
Doors 452
EBP 446
Engine coolant 448–450
ESP
®435, 436
Fog lamps, Front 456
Fog lamps, Rear 458
Front passenger front air
bag 438–441
Fuel cap 452
Gear selector lever 437
Headlamps 455–460
Hood 452
Key, SmartKey 454
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 453, 454Lamps 457
Lamps, exterior 455
Low tire pressure 442, 462, 463
Parking brake 446
Parking lamps 458
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 453
SRS 437
Tele Aid* 461
Telephone* 461
Windshield washer fluid 461
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 158
Button operation 158
N
Navigation system* 167
See separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Net, Cargo* 301
Net, Parcel 307
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 190, 194
New vehicle, Break-in period 338
Night security illumination 146, 179
Normal occupant weight 395
Number, Vehicle Identification
(VIN) 524, 525O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 395
Occupant safety 70
Active head restraint 86
Air bags 72
Children and air bags 73, 89
Children in the vehicle 87
Fastening the seat belts 50
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 77, 81, 82
Infant and child restraint systems 88
LATCH-type child seat anchors 91
OCS 77
OCS, Messages in the multifunction
display 438–441
Seat belts 50, 74
OCS 77
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Self-test 82

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

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

566 Index
W
Warning indicators
Parktronic* 283
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 275
Distronic* (Canada only) 266
Exterior lamps 67
Parking brake 57
Parktronic system* 284
Seat belt telltale 85, 420, 421
Warranty coverage 10, 523
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 362
Washing the vehicle 403
Wear pattern, Tires 397
Weights, Vehicle 535
Wheel
Bolts 498
Change 492
Removing 497
Spare 532
Tightening torque 501Wheels
Sizes 529
Wheels, Tires and 363
Window curtain air bags 76
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 409
Defogging 216, 230
Infrared reflecting* 336
Washer fluid 544
Windshield washer fluid 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 461
Mixing ratio 544
Refilling 362
Reservoir level 362
Windshield washer system 362, 544
Windshield wipers 59
Cleaning wiper blades 409
Fast continuous wiping 60
Fast intermittent wiping 60
Rear window wiper/washer 61
Replacing wiper blades 489
Slow continuous wiping 60
Slow intermittent wiping 60Winter driving
Snow chains 399
Tires 398
Winter driving instructions 346
Winter tires 398
Wiping and washing simultaneously 62
Wood trims, cleaning 412