[. . . ] Sommer\ Corporate\ Media\ AG
Operator's Manual R-Class
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Order No. 251 584 39 81 Edition A 2008
R-Class
R 320 CDI 4MATIC R 350 R 350 4MATIC R 550 4MATIC
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz. Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your desire to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service. [. . . ] Using this time setting and the current speed of your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets the required following distance to the preceding vehicle. The set distance will be shown in the multifunction display ( page 267). The distance setting switch for the time setting is located on the cruise control lever on the left-hand side of the steering column.
Warning!
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Warning!
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Distronic switches off and releases the brakes when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) by operation of the system. At that time the driver must apply the brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to a stop.
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to select the appropriate setting given road conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving style and applicable laws and driving recommendations for safe following distance.
!Setting the automatic transmission to N while driving cancels the Distronic. However, the automatic transmission should not be set to N while driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e. g. i Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the Distronic. for passing), the Distronic will resume the last set speed.
1 Distance setting switch 2 To decrease distance 3 To increase distance
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Controls in detail
Driving systems
Increasing distance Increasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a greater following distance to the preceding vehicle. Decreasing distance Decreasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a shorter following distance to the preceding vehicle. Driving with Distronic This section describes a number of driving situations where special precaution is required on the part of the driver. Warning!
Distronic regulates only the distance between your vehicle and those directly ahead of it, but does not register stationary objects in the road, e. g. : a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam a disabled vehicle an oncoming vehicle The driver must always be alert, observe all traffic and intercede as required by means of steering or braking the vehicle.
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Distronic works to maintain the speed selected by the driver unless a moving obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the same travel direction is detected (e. g. This means that: Your vehicle can pass another vehicle after you have changed lanes. While in a sharp turn or if the preceding vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your vehicle could then accelerate to the previously selected speed.
Warning!
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Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road conditions.
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Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is a dirty sensor (located behind the hood grille), especially at times of snow and ice or heavy rain. In such a case, Distronic will switch off, and the message
DISTRONIC Currently Unavailable See Operator's Manual appears in the multi-
Turns and bends
Offset driving
function display. For cleaning and care of the Distronic sensor, see "Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor cover" ( page 407).
Available Again appears during driving, the dirt (e. g. slush) has dissolved; Distronic works again, if you reactivate it ( page 268).
i If the message DISTRONIC
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect one too soon. This may cause your vehicle to brake late or unexpectedly.
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset from your direct line of travel may not be detected by Distronic. There will be insufficient distance to the vehicle ahead.
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Controls in detail
Driving systems
Lane changing Narrow vehicles Distance warning function* (Canada only) When Distronic* is deactivated, this function will continue to warn you when recognizing a stationary obstacle or a slower vehicle moving in your vehicle's path and the danger of a collision exists: The distance warning lamp l in the instrument cluster comes on. Because of their narrow profile, the vehicles traveling near the outer edges of the lane have not yet been detected by Distronic. If these warnings are issued, you must brake manually to maintain a safe distance and avoid a collision with the preceding vehicle. The warning sound will also cease when the distance to the preceding vehicle is sufficient again without applying the brakes. [. . . ] The water in the cooling system must meet minimum requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal drinking water. If you are not sure about the water quality, consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
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Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant used in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. Failure to use such anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly shortened service life. [. . . ]