Page 415 of 569

414 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-check when switching on the 
ignition, have the respective bulb checked 
and replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp 
comes on while the engine is 
running.ABS has detected a malfunction and has 
switched off. The BAS and the ESP® are also 
switched off (see messages in multifunction 
display).
The brake system is still functioning normally 
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, 
other systems such as the navigation 
system* or the automatic transmission may 
also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution. 
Wheels may lock during hard braking, 
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the 
multifunction display (
page 427).
Have the system checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions 
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below 
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.When the voltage is above this value 
again, the ABS is operational again and 
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and 
the battery checked. 
     
        
        Page 437 of 569

436 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPUnavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® was deactivated because 
of insufficient power supply. The 
charging voltage has fallen below 
10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning 
normally but without the ESP
® 
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the 
ESP® is operational again and the message in 
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display 
does not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the 
battery checked.
Have the system checked at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon 
as possible.
If the yellow ESP® warning 
lampv flashes while driving 
and this message appears, the 
Electronic Traction System has 
switched off to prevent overheating 
of the drive wheel brakes.As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the 
Electronic Traction System switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes 
out.
The self-diagnosis has not been 
completed yet.The display will clear after driving a short 
distance at a vehicle speed of above 
12 mph (20 km/h). 
     
        
        Page 445 of 569

444 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
òReplace air filter.The air filter is clogged.Have the air filter checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
#The battery is no longer charg-
ing.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake 
system requires electrical 
energy and may be operating 
with restricted capability. 
Considerably greater brake 
pedal force is required and the 
stopping distance is increased.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as 
soon as it is safe to do so and check the 
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise 
the engine will overheat due to an 
inoperative water pump which may 
result in damage to the engine. 
Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:
Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center 
immediately. Adjust driving to be 
consistent with reduced braking 
responsiveness. 
     
        
        Page 446 of 569
445 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#Battery/Alternator
Stop VehicleThe battery is defective.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as 
soon as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Do not continue to drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Light Truck Center.
2Brake WearThe brake pads have reached 
their wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as 
possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually in-
spected by a qualified technician at the intervals 
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. 
     
        
        Page 506 of 569

505 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling 
and reconnecting the battery
Step 1 (Disconnecting)
Set the automatic transmission to 
positionP (
page 192).
Firmly depress the parking brake 
(
page 65).
Turn off the engine (page 66).
Leave the ignition switched on 
(
page 39).
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal 
clamps while the engine is running or the 
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the 
alternator and other electronic components 
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center for further information.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as 
this could result in a short circuit. 
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk 
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!G
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and 
reconnecting the battery is a complicated 
and technically demanding procedure that 
also requires safety precautions to avoid the 
risk of injury. We strongly recommend that it 
be performed by a qualified technician or an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center only. Please read the instructions 
fully before beginning operation and only 
undertake it if you feel fully capable of 
performing all of the tasks involved as 
described in these instructions. Observe all 
safety instructions and precautions when 
handling automotive batteries 
(
page 503). Performing the tasks involved 
incorrectly can cause damage to the vehicle 
and impair the operating safety of the 
vehicle, and/or cause severe injury to you 
or others.
iWith a disconnected battery you will no 
longer be able to turn the SmartKey in the 
starter  switch and pressing the KEYLESS-GO* 
start/stop button will have no effect.
iIf your battery is discharged, the vehicle 
must be jump started (
page 511) using the 
jump start contacts in the engine compartment, 
or an accessory battery charge unit* approved 
by Mercedes-Benz must be connected using the 
jump start contacts in the engine compartment 
(see separate instructions for the accessory 
battery charge unit*) before any of the following 
steps can be performed. If the battery cannot be 
jumped or charged, please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
 
     
        
        Page 527 of 569
526 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
R 320 CDI 4MATIC
1Coolant pump
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Idler pulley
8Generator (alternator)R 350, R 350 4MATIC, R 550 4MATIC
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator) 
     
        
        Page 534 of 569
533 Technical data
Electrical system
Electrical system
ModelR 3501
R 350 4MATIC
1USA only.
R 550 4MATIC2
2Canada only.
Generator (alternator)14 V/150 A14 V/180 A
Starter motor12 V/1.4 kW12 V/1.7 kW
Battery12 V/70 Ah12 V/95 Ah
Spark plugsBosch Y7MPP33NGK PLKR7A
Electrode gap0.031 in (0.8 mm)0.031 in (0.8 mm)
Tightening torque15 - 19 lb-ft (20 - 25 Nm)15 - 19 lb-ft (20 - 25 Nm)
ModelR 320 CDI 4MATIC
Generator (alternator)14 V/180 A
Starter motor12 V/2.0 kW
Battery12 V/95 Ah