2011 MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class lights

Brakes
Important safety guidelinesGWarning
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.
GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the cargo on the brakes by shifting
to a lower gear in good time. This allows
you to take advantage of engine braking
and helps you to avoid overheating the
brakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine
braking, a drive wheel may not turn for
some time, e.g. on a slippery road surface.
This could cause damage to the drive train.
Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWarning
Depressing the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may
then not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
cargo, do not stop the vehicle immediately,
but drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roadsGWarning
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt
treated roads
GWarning
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs.
Maintenance of the brakes
! If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone, even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be
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too low. Observe additional warning
messages in the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.GWarning
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.
! A function or performance test may only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
If you are planning to have the vehicle
tested on such a dynamometer, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to
obtain further information first. Otherwise,
the drive train or the brake system may
suffer damage.
! As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1 in the ignition lock or Start/Stop
button in position 0 or 1) while the parking
brake is being tested on a brake
dynamometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should regularly test
your brake system's function by forcefully
depressing the brake pedal when driving at
high speed. This also improves the brake
pads' friction.GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Y page 68).
Parking brake
If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt could get into
the parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction
in the braking power of the parking brake,
observe the following:
R gently depress the parking brake from time
to time before beginning the journey.
R drive approximately 110 yd (100 m)
without exceeding a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).
GWarning!
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 on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tires have adequate tread depth
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From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC:To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC;Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp ; lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
Towing a trailer
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer.
! Remove the detachable ball coupling if
the trailer tow hitch is not required.
PARKTRONIC measures the minimum
detection range to an obstacle from the
bumper, not the ball coupling.
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Problems with PARKTRONICProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsOnly the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately 20
seconds.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y page 287).XSwitch the ignition back on.The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.Rear view camera
Important safety guidelines
The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
It shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND APS display.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
The rear view camera is located in the handle
strip of the tailgate.
:Rear view camera
View through the camera
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear-view mirror.
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GWarning
Blind Spot Assist monitors certain areas in the
immediate vicinity of your vehicle. Vehicles
that approach and drive past at high speeds
are not detected. There is no display and no
warning.
If the lanes are very wide, it may not be
possible to monitor the complete width of the
neighboring lane. For this reason, vehicles in
the next lane may not be detected, especially
if they are driving in a staggered formation.
This may be the case if vehicles are driving at
that edge of their lane which is furthest away
from your vehicle.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
If the lanes are narrow, the system may be
unable to distinguish the neighboring lane
from the one beyond it. For this reason, the
system may indicate vehicles in the farther
lane, especially if the vehicles are driving in a
staggered formation in different lanes. In
particular, this may be the case if the vehicles
are driving at that edge of their lane which is
nearest your vehicle.
Due to the nature of the system:
R warnings may be issued unnecessarily
when driving close to crash barriers or
similar solid lane borders.
R the warning may be interrupted when
traveling next to long vehicles for extended
periods.
The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are
integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.
Make sure that the bumper is free of dirt, ice
or slush around the sensors. For example, the
radar sensors must not be covered by bicycle
racks or overhanging loads. In the event of a
severe impact or damage to the bumpers,
have the function of the radar sensors
checked at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Blind Spot Assist may otherwise not work
properly.
Information and warning display:Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
If Blind Spot Assist is switched on, indicator
lamps : in the exterior mirrors light up
yellow up to a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h). At
speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h), the
indicator lamp goes out and Blind Spot Assist
is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp : on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if the
reverse gear is engaged. In this event, Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light.
GWarning
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds under
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors are
yellow. Vehicles in the monitoring range are
then not indicated.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
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recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
Collision warning
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the turn
signal, a double warning tone sounds. Red
warning lamp : flashes. If the turn signal
remains on, detected vehicles are indicated
by the flashing of red warning lamp :. There
are no further warning tones.
Switching on Blind Spot Assist
XMake sure that the radar sensor system
( Y page 208) and Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 210) are activated in the on-board
computer.XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
Warning lamps : light up red in the
exterior mirrors for approximately 1.5
seconds and then turn yellow.
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting. In this event,
Blind Spot Assist is deactivated. The indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the exterior mirrors
and the message: Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavailable See
Operator's Manual appears in the
multifunction display.
i The indicator lamps in the exterior mirrors
can be switched off.
To do this, you must deactivate Blind Spot
Assist when:
R the key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
R the engine is not running.
R the electrical connection to the trailer
has been established.
Towing a trailer
Notes on towing a trailer
Important safety instructions
GWarning!
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle
control when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the
instructions in this manual can result in
vehicle damage and/or serious personal
injury. Follow the guidelines below carefully
to assure safe trailer operation.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
should you require an explanation of
information contained in this manual.
General information
R Only install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not
suitable for installing detachable trailer
couplings.
R Do not install hired trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings on the
bumpers of your vehicle.
R To reduce the risk of damage to the ball
coupling, remove it from the ball coupling
recess when not in use.
Coupling up a trailer
GWarning!
Vehicles with AIRMATIC: While you are
coupling or decoupling a trailer, make sure
nobody locks or unlocks the vehicle and/or
opens or closes doors or the tailgate.
The vehicle’s level could change and you
could endanger yourself and/or others as a
result.
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Make sure that you do not operate the ADS
switch or the vehicle level control system
when coupling/decoupling the trailer.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian
provinces require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to
facilitate turning tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your federal state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes.
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
i The vehicle's wiring harness features a
line to the brake indicator lamp.XMake sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.XApply the vehicle's parking brake.XStart the engine.XVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level and set ADS to
AUTO or COMF .XSwitch off the engine.XClose all doors and the tailgate.XCouple up the trailer.XEstablish all electrical connections.i
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
with a trailer attached, the vehicle will
always remain at highway level. When
coupling up a trailer, please observe the
following:
R if highway level has not been set
manually, the vehicle will automatically
sink to highway level as soon as it
reaches a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
R high-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and reversing in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
- the trailer coupling
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- the electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically
controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/
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Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
DISTRONIC mode:
One or two segments around the stored
speed light up.
Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
:Multifunction display;~
6Makes/accepts or rejects/
ends a callW
XSelects submenus in the
Settings menu
Changes values
Adjusts the volume?Switches on the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions=V
USelects a menu: scrolls back
and forthASwitches off the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions&
*Press briefly:
Scrolls back and forth within a
menu
In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track
or a video scene
In the Telephone menu:
switches to the phone book
and selects a name or a
telephone number&
*Press and hold:
In the Audio menu: selects
the previous/next station or
selects an audio track using
rapid scrolling
In the Telephone menu:
starts rapid scrolling through
the phone book
Multifunction display
To activate the multifunction display:
R switch on the ignition.
R switch on the lights.
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