You may only use the MOExtended system in
conjunction with the tire pressure loss
warning system (
Y page 231) or the
Advanced TPMS (Y page 232).
i Vehicles with MOExtended system are
not factory-equipped with a TIREFIT kit.
When
retrofitting with tires that do not have
run-flat characteristics, e.g. winter tires,
you should also equip your vehicle with a
TIREFIT kit. TIREFIT kits are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on driving in case of pressure
loss in one or more tires (emergency mode),
see the “Practical Hints” section
(Y page 330). Tire care and maintenance
G
Warning!
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn,
old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least once
a month. For more information on checking
tire inflation pressure, see “Recommended
tire inflation pressure” ( Y page 228).
Tire inspection Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your tires
for the following:
R
excessive treadwear ( Y page 241)
R cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
R bumps,
bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in the
tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions. Make sure you also inspect the spare tire
periodically
for condition and inflation. Spare
tires will age and become worn over time even
if never used, and thus should be inspected
and replaced when necessary.
Life of tire G
Warning!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
6 years, regardless of the remaining tread.
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
R Driving style
R Tire inflation pressure
R Distance driven
Tread depth G
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible
at approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply
reduced at tread depths of less than 1
/ 8 in
(3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six places
on the tread circumference and become
visible at a tread depth of approximately
1 / 16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire is
considered worn and should be replaced.
The recommended minimum tire tread depth
for summer tires is 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The Tires and wheels
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Snow chains
! Vehicles with Adaptive Damping System
(ADS):
When driving with snow chains, do not
select SPORT mode as this may result in
damage to your vehicle.
! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help avoid
serious damage to your vehicle or tires,
make sure the use of snow chains is
permissible as specified in the “Technical
data” section of this Operator’s Manual.
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.
Observe the following guidelines when using
snow chains:
R Use of snow chains is not permissible with
all wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 347).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
! 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.
R Only use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
R Do not use snow chains on the spare wheel.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESP ®
(Y page 65)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction. Winter driving instructions
G
Warning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To
assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind. G
Warning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing
point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result
in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 252).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can 252
Winter driving
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!
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button in position 0 or 1) when the parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer. 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.
If your brake system is 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. G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 64).
Parking brake When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake. To prevent corrosion and a reduction in the
braking power of the parking brake, observe
the following:
X
From time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.
X Drive a distance of approximately 110 yds
(100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). G
Warning!
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake. Driving off
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached.
! When
driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. Doing so may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Hydroplaning
Depending
on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires. In heavy rain or
when conditions indicate possible
hydroplaning: Driving instructions
255
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G
Warning!
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Upholstery Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause the
upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate
cover, contact-discoloration will
be prevented. G
Warning!
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers may
interfere with or prevent
R deployment of the front side impact air
bags
R deployment of the rear side impact air bags
R activation of the NECK-PRO active front
head restraints
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Leather upholstery
Please note that leather upholstery is a
natural product and is therefore subject to a
natural aging process. Leather upholstery
may also react to certain ambient influences
such as high humidity or high temperature by
showing wrinkles for example.
X Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and
dry thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-
Benz approved Leather Care.
! To avoid damage to leather upholstery:
R Wipe with light pressure only.
R Do not clean with abrasive cleaning
agents
such as scouring milk or powder.
R Do not soak the leather upholstery. As leather is a natural product, it could
otherwise harden or become porous.
R Exercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside
should not become wet.
MB Tex upholstery
X Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
onto a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with
light pressure for cleaning the upholstery.
Wood trims X
Only use water and a damp cloth to clean
wood trims in your vehicle.
! Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.
Chrome-plated exhaust tip Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plated
exhaust tips will help to maintain their shine
and the classy appearance.
X
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome
Polishing Paste each time the vehicle has
been
washed, especially during the winter.
! Do not use alkaline cleaners such as
wheel cleaners as they could cause
corrosion. 268
Vehicle care
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After driving in emergency mode, you must
have the rims inspected by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to check if they are
suitable for further use. The failed tire must
be replaced in any case.
When replacing individual or all tires on the
vehicle, make sure only tires marked with
“MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle
(Y page 347). Bleeding the fuel system (diesel
engine only)
Driving
the vehicle until the fuel tank is empty
is not recommended. Otherwise, air may be
sucked into the fuel system. If this happens,
the malfunction indicator lamp = (USA
only) or ; (Canada only) comes on and the
engine may not start immediately after
refueling the vehicle.
After refueling:
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
The gear position indicator in the
multifunction display should be on P.
X Do not depress the accelerator.
X If necessary, remove the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button from the starter switch.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 2 for at least 10 seconds.
X Return the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position 0.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3
and hold it there for a maximum
of 40 seconds or until the engine runs
surge-free.
If the engine does not start:
X Wait for approximately 2 minutes.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3
and hold it there for a maximum
of 40 seconds or until the engine runs
surge-free. If the engine still does not start, do not make
any further attempts to start the engine.
Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call Roadside Assistance ( Y page 210).
i When the malfunction indicator lamp
= (USA only) or ; (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster has been illuminated
for the above condition, it will remain
illuminated until the engine was cycled on
and off four times in a row. AdBlue
®
(diesel engine only)
The BlueTEC exhaust gas aftertreatment
system requires a reducing agent (AdBlue ®
)
in order to function properly. Refilling with
AdBlue ®
is part of the regular maintenance
service work. A tankful of AdBlue ®
should
suffice until the next maintenance service
under normal driving conditions.
When the AdBlue ®
tank is low, the message
Check Additive See Operator’s
Manual appears in the multifunction display.
When the AdBlue ®
level drops to the
minimum level, the message Remaining
Starts: 20 appears in the multifunction
display.
i When
the message Remaining Starts:
20 appears in the multifunction display, you
can start the engine 20 more times. If you
do not add AdBlue ®
, the engine cannot be
started beyond that point. Fill the
AdBlue ®
tank with approximately 1 gal
(3.79 l) AdBlue ®
(corresponds to
approximately 2 AdBlue ®
refill containers)
or have the AdBlue ®
tank filled by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i For refilling outside the maintenance
service intervals, refill the AdBlue ®
tank
with approximately 1 gal (3.79 l) AdBlue ®
(corresponds to approximately 2 AdBlue ®
refill containers). AdBlue
®
(diesel engine only) 331
Practical hints
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i
Vehicles with MOExtended system are
not factory-equipped with a TIREFIT kit.
When
retrofitting with tires that do not have
run-flat characteristics, you should also
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit.
TIREFIT kits are available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental
effects, such as
R poor handling characteristics
R increased noise
R increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit
dimensional 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.
i Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. The Tire and Loading Information
placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures for cold tires is located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for
driving at high speeds or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle
condition can be found on the tire inflation
pressure label. The tire inflation pressure
label is 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 the vehicle.
For information on recommended tire
inflation pressure and supplemental tire
inflation pressure information for special
driving situations, see ( Y page 228). i
Please keep in mind that the vehicle must
be equipped
Rwith wheels of identical dimensions on
each axle (left and right)
R with tires of identical characteristics all
around, i.e. summer tires, winter tires,
all-season tires, or MOExtended tires etc.
i The following pages also list the approved
rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehicle
with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory
equipment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Equipping your vehicle with winter tires
approved for your vehicle model may
require the purchase of rims of the
recommended size for use with these
winter tires. This depends on vehicle model
and the standard or optional factory-
equipped wheel rim/tire configuration on
your vehicle. For more information contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 348
Rims and tires
Technical data
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Spare wheel
! Compare the recommended tire inflation pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare wheel rim.
If
the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to the recommended tire inflation pressure
given on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.
i Please note that the tire inflation pressure of the spare wheel differs from the tire inflation
pressure of the road tires.
i The R 350 BlueTEC does not have a spare wheel. Model R 350
Rim
6.5 B x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.58 in (40 mm)
Collapsible tire
29 195/75-18 106P
Recommended tire inflation pressure
44 psi (3.0 bar)
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
For information on tested and approved
products, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA
only). G
Warning!
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing, and disposing of service fluids. Otherwise you could endanger persons
or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service
fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately. Model Capacity Fuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil
filter
R 350 BlueTEC 9.0 US qt (8.5 l) Approved engine
oils
R 350 8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic
transmission
All models 9.5 US qt (9.0 l) MB Automatic
Transmission Fluid
29
Must not be used with snow chains. 350
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Approved engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for our
service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters required
for vehicles with the Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! Using engine oils and oil filters of a
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System will result in engine or
emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine or emission control system damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Mercedes-Benz recommends MOBIL OIL.
Use the table below to determine the
MB sheet number. Model Engine,
type MB sheet
number
R 350 BlueTEC 642 229.51
R 350 272 229.5
i
MB sheet numbers are printed on the
outside of oil containers. Viscosity grades for engine oils Using the chart below, select oil viscosity
according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
Engine oil additives
! Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. Air conditioning refrigerant
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air conditioning
system.
! Never use R 12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur. Brake fluid
G
Warning!
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating
conditions, this moisture content can lead to 352
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