MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 Owner's Manual

490 Practical hintsBatteryStep 1 (Disconnecting)

Set the automatic position to P
(page 199).

Firmly depress the parking brake
(page 65).

Turn off the engine (
page 66).

Leave the ignition switched on
(page 38).

Switch off all electrical consumers.

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 487).

Open the front passenger door.

Move the front passenger seat to the
most rearward position (
page 43).Step 2 (Disconnecting)
1Seat rail covers, front right
2Seat rail covers, front left

Pull off right seat rail cover 1 in direc-
tion of arrow.

Pull left seat rail cover 2 in direction
of arrow as far as it will go.
Left seat rail cover 2 cannot be re-
moved.
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 vehi-
cle must be jump started (
page 496)
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 follow-
ing steps can be performed. If the bat-
tery cannot be jumped or charged,
please contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.

491 Practical hints
Battery
3Battery cover mounting nuts
Using a 6 mm T-handle hex key (not
supplied with vehicle) with a minimum
shaft length of 12 in (30 cm), unfasten
and remove battery cover mounting
nuts 2 located at the floor carpet per-
foration.

Move the front passenger seat to the
most forward position (
page 43).

Switch off the ignition (
page 38).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0.
After turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
with the driver's door closed, the
starter switch is in position1. With
the driver’s door opened, the start-
er switch is set to position0, same
as SmartKey removed from starter
switch (
page 39).Step 3 (Disconnecting)
4Seat rail, rear
5Seat rail cover, rear

Pull seat rail cover 5 away from seat
rail 4 on both sides as indicated by ar-
rows.

Pull off seat rail cover 5 to the rear as
indicated by arrow.

492 Practical hintsBatteryStep 4 (Disconnecting)
6Floor carpet
Pull back and fold floor carpet8 in
direction of the arrow.Step 5 (Disconnecting)
7Battery cover mounting nuts

Unfasten and remove battery cover
mounting nuts 7.Step 6 (Disconnecting)
8Battery cover with integrated air
channel
9Pulling battery cover out
aLifting battery cover

Lift battery cover 8 slightly in direc-
tion of arrow a.

Pull battery cover 8 in direction of
arrow 9.

Remove battery cover 8.
iTo release the floor carpet perforations
(see dotted line in above illustration),
you will have to apply somewhat great-
er force when pulling the floor carpet
back.

493 Practical hints
Battery
Step 7 (Disconnecting)
bBattery ventilation hose
cBattery
dBattery attachment
eAttachment nuts
Pull battery ventilation hose b out of
battery c.

Unfasten and remove attachment
nutse.

Remove battery attachment d.Step 8 (Disconnecting)
fPositive terminal with cover
gNegative terminal

Disconnect battery negative lead from
negative terminal g.

Remove the cover from positive termi-
nal f.

Disconnect battery positive lead from
positive terminal f.Step 9 (Removing)

Take out battery.
Step 10 (Reinstalling)

Carry out step 9 (
page 493) first and
then step 7 (
page 493), both in re-
verse order.
bBattery ventilation hose
hVent plug
!The battery, battery ventilation
hoseb, and vent plug h must always
be securely installed when the vehicle
is in operation.


494 Practical hintsBattery
Carry out step 8 to reconnect the bat-
tery (
page 493).

Carry out steps 6 to 1 in reverse order
to complete reinstall the battery,
(page 492) to (
page 490).
Step 11 (Reconnecting)

If the battery has been removed, carry
out step 9 (
page 493) first and then
step 7 (
page 493), both in reverse
order, before starting the connecting
procedure.

Open the driver’s door.

Make sure the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0.
With the driver’s door opened, the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status 0, same as SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch
(page 39).

Connect the positive lead to the posi-
tive terminal and fasten it’s cover
(page 493).

Connect the negative lead to the nega-
tive terminal (
page 493).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to disconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 180).
Vehicles with Modular COMAND
system with navigation module*:
Time and date are set automatical-
ly.


Synchronize the door windows
(page 251).


Synchronize the power tilt/sliding
sunroof* (
page 258).


Synchronize the power tilt/sliding
panel* (
page 262).


Synchronize the power folding
exterior rear view mirrors*
(page 211).


495 Practical hints
Battery
Charging the battery
If the battery is discharged, the battery can
be charged using the jump-start contacts
located in the engine compartment
(page 497).

Charge the battery in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.

496 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
using the jump-start contacts in the en-
gine compartment (
page 497).


Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

497 Practical hints
Jump starting
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.
1Negative (-) terminal
2Positive (+) terminal 
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Set automatic transmission to
positionP.

Open the hood (
page 345).

Open cover of positive terminal 2.
1Negative terminal of discharged
battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals2 and 4
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery 4 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals1 and 3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery 3
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
!Never invert the terminal connections!

498 Practical hintsJump startingYou can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals1 and 3 and then
from the positive terminals2 and 4.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

499 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with the SmartKey in starter
switch turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 101),
tow-away alarm (
page 107) and the
automatic central locking
(
page 130).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicles with all wheels on the ground.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the automatic transmis-
sion must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km / h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position1). Otherwise, the
4-ETS may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control.