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2011 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 196

2011 Mercedes R-Class Manual

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194 Towing a trailer Make sure that you do not operate the ADS switch or the vehicle level control system when coupling/decoupling the trailer. Driving and parking Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimensions (width and length). Most federal states and all Canadian provinces require by law: Rsafety chains between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The chains should be crosswound 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. Ra separate brake system for certain types of trailer. Ra 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. 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: Rif 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). Rhigh-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: RTo ! 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. X Make sure that the automatic transmission is set to position P. X Apply the vehicle's parking brake. X Start the engine. X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package: select highway level and set ADS to AUTO or COMF. X Switch off the engine. X Close all doors and the tailgate. X Couple up the trailer. X Establish all electrical connections. 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. RBefore driving, check: - the trailer coupling - the safety switch for braked trailers - the safety chains - the electrical connections - the lights - the wheels RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an unobstructed view of the rear section of the trailer. RIf the trailer features electronically controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/

Section	Page
Introduction	21
Product information	21
Operator's Manual	21
Notes on the Operator's Manual	21
Vehicle equipment	21
Service and vehicle operation	21
Service and literature	21
Information for customers in California	22
Maintenance	22
Roadside Assistance	22
Change of address or ownership	23
Vehicle operation outside the USA and Canada	23
Sport Utility Vehicle	23
Operating safety	23
Safety notes	23
Problems with your vehicle	24
Reporting malfunctions relevant to safety	25
Limited Warranty	25
Data stored in the vehicle	25
Information regarding electronic recording devices	25
At a glance	28
Exterior view	28
Cockpit	29
Instrument cluster	30
Overview	30
Warning and indicator lamps	31
Multifunction steering wheel	32
Center console	33
Overhead control panel	34
Door control panel	35
Safety	38
Vehicle equipment	38
Occupant safety	38
Overview of occupant safety	38
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)	38
Air bags	40
Occupant classification system (OCS)	44
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system	50
PRE-SAFE® system	53
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints	54
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO head restraints	55
Seat belts	56
Children in the vehicle	61
Important safety guidelines	61
Child restraint systems	61
Child-proof locks	68
Panic alarm	68
Driving safety systems	69
Overview of driving safety systems	69
Important safety guidelines	69
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)	69
BAS (Brake Assist)	70
ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)	70
EBD	72
Distance warning function (vehicles with DISTRONIC)	72
Anti-theft systems	73
Immobilizer	73
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)	73
Opening and closing	76
Vehicle equipment	76
SmartKey	76
Important safety guidelines	76
General notes	76
SmartKey functions	76
KEYLESS-GO	77
Changing the settings of the locking system	79
Restoring the factory settings	79
Mechanical key	79
SmartKey battery	79
Problems with the SmartKey	81
Doors	82
Important safety guidelines	82
Unlocking and opening doors from the inside	83
Centrally locking and unlocking the vehicle from the inside	83
Automatic locking	83
Unlocking the driver's door (mechanical key)	84
Locking the vehicle	84
Tailgate	84
Important safety guidelines	84
Opening and closing from the outside	85
Automatic opening and closing from the outside	86
Opening the tailgate from the inside	87
Automatic opening and closing from the inside	87
Limiting the opening angle of the tailgate	88
Side windows	88
Important safety guidelines	88
Opening and closing the side windows	89
Opening and closing the hinged side windows	90
Resetting the side windows	90
Convenience opening	91
Convenience closing	91
Problems with the side windows	92
Sliding sunroof	93
Important safety guidelines	93
Operating the sliding sunroof	94
Operating the panorama sliding sunroof	95
Operating the roller sunblinds of the panorama sliding sunroof	95
Problems with the sliding sunroof/panorama sliding sunroof	96
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors	100
Vehicle equipment	100
Correct driver's seat position	100
Seats	101
Important safety guidelines	101
Adjusting the seats	102
Adjusting the head restraints	103
Adjusting the seats in the 2nd and 3rd row	105
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (3rd row of seats)	107
Adjusting the multicontour seat	109
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar support	109
Switching the seat heating on/off	110
Switching the seat ventilation on/off	110
Steering wheel	111
Important safety guidelines	111
Adjusting the steering wheel manually	111
Adjusting the steering wheel electrically	112
Steering wheel heating	112
Steering wheel EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature	112
Mirrors	113
Rear-view mirror	113
Exterior mirrors	114
Automatic anti-glare mirrors	115
Parking position for the exterior mirror on the front-passenger side	115
Memory functions	116
Storing settings	116
Calling up a stored setting	116
Lights and windshield wipers	118
Vehicle equipment	118
Exterior lighting	118
Important safety guidelines	118
Notes on driving abroad	118
Light switch	118
Combination switch	121
Hazard warning lamps	121
Headlamp cleaning system	121
Headlamps fogged up on the inside	122
Interior lighting	122
Overview of interior lighting	122
Automatic interior lighting control	123
Manual interior lighting control	123
Crash-responsive emergency lighting	123
Changing bulbs	123
Important safety guidelines	123
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types	124
Changing the front bulbs	125
Changing the rear bulbs	127
Windshield wipers	128
Important safety guidelines	128
Switching the windshield wipers on/off	128
Switching the rear window wiper on/off	129
Replacing the wiper blades	129
Problems with the windshield wipers	131
Climate control	134
Vehicle equipment	134
Overview of climate control systems	134
Important safety guidelines	134
Control panel for the dual-zone automatic climate control	135
Control panel for the multi-zone automatic climate control	136
Operating climate control systems	140
Switching climate control on/off	140
Switching cooling with air dehumidification on/off	141
Setting climate control to automatic	142
Setting the temperature	143
Setting the air distribution	144
Setting the airflow	144
Switching the MONO function on/off	144
Defrosting the windshield	144
Defrosting the windows	145
Rear window heating	145
Activating/deactivating air-recirculation mode	145
Switching the residual heat on/off	146
Setting the air vents	146
Important safety guidelines	146
Setting the center air vents	147
Setting the side air vents	147
Setting the rear-compartment air vents	147
Driving and parking	150
Vehicle equipment	150
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle	150
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)	150
Driving	150
Important safety guidelines	150
SmartKey positions	151
Starting the engine	152
Pulling away	153
Switching off the engine	154
Problems with the engine	156
Automatic transmission	157
Important safety guidelines	157
DIRECT SELECT lever	157
Transmission position display	158
Transmission positions	159
Gearshifting	159
Driving tips	159
Program selector button	160
Steering wheel paddle shifters	160
Automatic drive program	160
Shift ranges	160
Problems with the transmission	162
Transfer case	162
Refueling	162
Important safety guidelines	162
Gasoline	163
Diesel	163
Refueling	164
Emergency fuel filler flap release	164
Problems with the fuel and fuel tank	166
AdBlue®	167
Parking	169
Important safety guidelines	169
Parking brake	169
Parking up the vehicle	170
Driving tips	170
General driving tips	170
Engine oil	171
Brakes	172
Driving on wet roads	173
Winter driving	174
Driving abroad	175
Driving systems	175
Cruise control	175
DISTRONIC	177
Rear axle level control	184
AIRMATIC package	185
PARKTRONIC	188
Rear view camera	191
Blind Spot Assist	193
Towing a trailer	195
Notes on towing a trailer	195
Coupling up a trailer	195
Towing a trailer	196
Decoupling a trailer	197
Permissible trailer load and drawbar noseweight	198
Trailer power supply	198
On-board computer and displays	200
Vehicle equipment	200
Important safety guidelines	200
Displays and operation	200
Tachometer	200
Outside temperature display	200
Speedometer with segments	201
Operating the on-board computer	201
Multifunction display	201
Menus and submenus	203
Menu overview	203
Standard display menu	204
Audio menu	205
Navigation menu	206
AIRMATIC/compass menu	206
Settings menu	207
Additional functions menu	212
Trip computer menu	212
Telephone menu	213
Display messages	215
Hiding display messages	215
Message memory menu	215
Safety systems	216
Apply the brakes.	221
Lights	223
Engine	226
Driving systems	230
Tires	232
Vehicle	235
SmartKey	237
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster	238
Apply the brakes.	238
Seat belt	239
Safety systems	241
Engine	244
Driving systems	245
Tires	245
Loading, stowing and features	248
Vehicle equipment	248
Loading guidelines	248
Stowage compartments	248
Important safety guidelines	248
Stowage compartments in the front	249
Stowage compartments in the rear	250
Stowage areas	251
Parcel nets	251
Center console in the 2nd row of seats	251
Enlarging the luggage compartment	252
Securing cargos	257
Luggage compartment cover	258
Safety net	260
Roof carrier	261
Features	262
Cup holder	262
Sun visors	264
Roller sunblinds for the rear side windows	265
Ashtray	265
Cigarette lighter	266
mbraceThe system is called TELEAID in Canada.	269
Garage door opener	274
Compass	278
Floormat on the driver's side	278
Infrared-reflecting windshield	278
Maintenance and care	280
Vehicle equipment	280
Engine compartment	280
Hood	280
Radiator	281
Engine oil	281
Checking and adding other service products	283
Service	284
Service interval display	284
Care	285
Notes on care	285
Exterior care	286
Interior care	289
Roadside Assistance	294
Vehicle equipment	294
After an accident	295
Where will I find...?	295
First-aid kit	295
Vehicle tool kit	296
Collapsible spare wheel	297
Flat tire	298
Preparing the vehicle	298
TIREFIT kit	299
Changing a wheel and mounting the spare tire	303
MOExtended run-flat system	309
Battery	310
Important safety guidelines	310
Charging the battery	312
Jump-starting	313
Towing away	315
Important safety guidelines	315
Installing the towing eye	315
Removing the towing eye	316
Towing the vehicle	316
Recovering a vehicle that has become stuck	317
Transporting the vehicle	317
Fuses	317
Important safety guidelines	317
Before changing a fuse	317
Fuse box in the cockpit	318
Fuse box in the engine compartment	318
Fuse box in the cargo compartment	318
Engine emergency off	319
Tires and wheels	322
Vehicle equipment	322
Important safety guidelines	322
Directives to be observed	323
Maintenance and care of wheels and tires	323
Checking wheels and tires	323
Service life of tires	323
Tire tread	323
Storing tires	324
Cleaning tires	324
Tire pressures	324
Tire pressure specifications	324
Important notes on tire pressures	325
Potential problems caused by overinflated/underinflated tires	326
Checking tire pressures	327
Tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only)	327
Tire pressure monitoring system (USA only)	329
Maximum tire pressures	332
Loading the vehicle	332
Instruction labels for tires and loads	332
Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight rating	333
Number of seats	333
Steps for determining the maximum cargo	334
Vehicle identification plate	335
Trailer load/noseweight	336
Maximum tire load	336
Direction of rotation	336
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards	336
Overview of tire quality standards	336
Tread wear	337
Traction	337
Temperature	337
Interchanging the wheels	338
Tire labeling	338
Overview of tire labeling	338
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity and speed index	339
Load identification	341
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)	341
Characteristics of the tire	342
Definitions for tires and loading	342
Structure and condition of the tire	342
Bar	342
DOT (Department of Transportation)	342
Average weight of the vehicle occupants	342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards	342
Recommended tire pressure	342
Increased vehicle weight due to optional equipment	342
Wheel rim	343
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)	343
Speed index	343
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)	343
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)	343
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)	343
Maximum weight of the laden vehicle	343
Kilopascal (kPa)	343
Load index	343
Unladen weight	343
Maximum tire load	343
Maximum permissible tire pressure	343
Maximum load on one tire	344
PSI (pounds per square inch)	344
Aspect ratio	344
Tire pressure	344
Tire tread	344
Tire bead	344
Sidewall	344
Weight of optional extras	344
TIN (Tire Identification Number)	344
Load bearing index	344
Traction	344
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar noseweight)	344
Wear indicator	344
Distribution of the vehicle occupants	345
Maximum permissible payload weight	345
Wheel/tire combinations	345
Points to remember	345
Tires of the same dimensions	347
Spare tire	348
Technical data	350
Vehicle equipment	350
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts	350
Warranty	350
Vehicle identification plates	351
Vehicle identification plate with vehicle identification number (VIN) and paint code number	351
Vehicle identification number (VIN)	351
Engine number	352
Service products and capacities	352
Important safety guidelines	352
Capacities	353
Fuel	354
AdBlue®	355
Engine oil	356
Refrigerant of the air-conditioning system	357
Brake fluid	357
Coolant	357
Windshield and headlamp cleaning system	359
Vehicle data	359
Vehicle data, R 350 BlueTEC (251.125)	359
Vehicle data, R 350 (251.165)	360
Internet	363

Match case Limit results 1 per page

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:

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.

a separate brake system for certain types

of trailer.

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.

The vehicle's wiring harness features a

line to the brake indicator lamp.

Make sure that the automatic transmission

is set to position

Apply the vehicle's parking brake.

Start the engine.

Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:

select highway level and set ADS to

AUTO

COMF

Switch off the engine.

Close all doors and the tailgate.

Couple up the trailer.

Establish all electrical connections.

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:

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).

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:

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.

Before driving, check:

the trailer coupling

the safety switch for braked trailers

the safety chains

the electrical connections

the lights

the wheels

Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an

unobstructed view of the rear section of the

trailer.

If the trailer features electronically

controlled brakes, pull away the vehicle/

194

Towing a trailer

Driving and parking