2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 Brake fluid

Contents
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 489
Front wiper blades ....................... 489
Rear wiper blade .......................... 490
Flat tire .............................................. 492
Preparing the vehicle.................... 492
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 493
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 502
Battery ............................................... 503
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and reconnecting
the battery.................................... 505
Charging the battery .................... 510
Jump starting ..................................... 511
Towing the vehicle ............................. 513
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 515
Stranded vehicle .......................... 517
Fuses ................................................. 518
Fuse box in engine compartment . 519
Fuse box in cargo compartment ... 519
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 520
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 520
Technical data................................. 521
Parts service ...................................... 522
Warranty coverage............................. 523
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 523
Identification labels ........................... 524
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 526
R 320 CDI 4MATIC ....................... 526
R 350, R 350 4MATIC,
R 550 4MATIC .............................. 526
Engine................................................ 527
Rims and tires.................................... 529
Same size tires ............................. 530
Spare wheel ................................. 532
Electrical system ............................... 533
Main Dimensions ............................... 534
Weights.............................................. 535Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 536
Capacities .................................... 536
Engine oils ................................... 538
Engine oil additives ...................... 538
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 538
Brake fluid.................................... 539
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine).......................... 539
Fuel requirements ........................ 540
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine).......................... 540
Coolants ...................................... 541
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 544
Index................................................. 545

341 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 101).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 415).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 447).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position0or1) when test-
ing the parking brake on a brake test dynamom-
eter and such testing should be no longer than
10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.

354 Operation
At the gas station
Low outside temperatures
(diesel engine)
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is of-
fered in the winter months. Check with
your fuel retailer.Check regularly and before a long trip
Open the hood (page 356).
Example illustration R 350 4MATIC
1Coolant level
2Brake fluid
3Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
iDiesel engine:
If you have driven the vehicle until the tank was
empty, the fuel system needs to be bled
(
page 502).
!Diesel engine:
The engine is more susceptible to wear and
damage if you use

marine diesel fuel

heating oil

additives
The exhaust aftertreatment device will be
seriously damaged if you use

LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL
(500 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM)

any other diesel fuel with a sulfur content of
above 15 ppm
The use of such non-approved fuels and/or
special additives is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosine. The
fuel system and engine will otherwise be dam-
aged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


355 Operation
At the gas station
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 358).
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant level” (
page 360) and
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 536).
Brake fluidWindshield/rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system*
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 362).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 480).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 143).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 373).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as this will
not solve the problem. For more information, see
“Brake fluid” (
page 539).

403 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to main-
tain the value of your vehicle. The best way
to protect your vehicle from harmful envi-
ronmental influences is to wash it and use
protective treatments regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:

Air pollution

Road salt

Tar

Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:

Grease and oil

Fuel

Coolant

Brake fluid

Bird droppings

Insects

Tree resins, etc.Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:

near the ocean

in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)

during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the fac-
tory with a wax-base rustproofing in the
body cavities which will last for the lifetime
of the vehicle. Post-production treatment
is neither necessary nor recommended by
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

415 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp comes on while
the engine is running.The self-diagnosis has not yet
been completed yet.The indicator lamp will go out after driving
a short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and an
acoustic warning sounds.You are driving with the
parking brake set.Release the parking brake
(
page 56).
There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon as
it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system.Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

447 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the vehi-
cle in a safe location or as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be
seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

537 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steeringapprox. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)MB Power Steering Fluid or approved
Dexron III ATF
Front wheel hubsapprox. 1.5 oz (43 g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake systemMB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemR 320 CDI 4MATIC10.0 US qt (9.5 l)MB Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
R 3501, R 350 4MATIC
1USA only.
10.0 US qt (9.5 l)
R 550 4MATIC2
2Canada only.
12.7 US qt (12 l)
Fuel tank
including a reserve of21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
approx. 3.4 US gal (13.0 l)Gasoline engine:
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
Diesel engine:
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL
FUEL (15 ppm SULFUR MAXIMUM)