MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

150 Controls in detail
Lighting
Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Switch on the low beam headlamps
(
page 59).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
second stop.
The rear fog lamp switches on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 146).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps* remain lit.
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasher
High beam
Canada only: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to positionB (
page 146).
or
USA only: Turn the exterior lamp switch
to positionB orU
(
page 146).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampAin the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampAin the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.
iIf so equipped, the front fog lamps* will also
switch on.

151 Controls in detail
Lighting
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 146)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 146)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 148)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 60), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
or
Turn steering wheel in desired direc-
tion.
The front fog lamp on the side of your
steering direction comes on.iWith the automatic headlamp mode
activated, the corner-illuminating front fog lamps
will only come on in low ambient lighting condi-
tions.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
function is not available at a vehicle speed
above25mph(40km/h).
iIf you are driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps
switched on, the corner-illuminating function is
not available.iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating front
fog lamp comes on for the side indicated by the
turn signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit
for a maximum of three minutes. Afterwards, it
goes out even if the turn signal is still switched
on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps tem-
porarily come on both sides of the vehicle if you
turn the steering wheel in one direction and then
again in the other direction shortly thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
come on automatically depending on the steer-
ing angle, even if you did not switch on either
turn signal. If the corner-illuminating front fog
lamps came on automatically, they will also go
out automatically depending on the steering
angle.

152 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps if they
were activated by switching on the left or
right turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after
making the turn, the turn signal and
corner-illuminating front fog lamps can be
switched off by returning the combination
switch to its original position.Driving rearward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Shift the automatic transmission to
reverse gearR (
page 199).
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp
opposite to your steering direction
comes on.
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Shift the automatic transmission
to a gear other than reverse
gearR(
page 197).
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switch
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps switch off.

153 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.
Switching off hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
Interior lighting
1Front left reading lamp, on/off
2Rear interior lighting, on/off
3Automatic interior lighting
4Front interior lighting, on/off
5Front right reading lamp, on/off
6Front right interior lamp
7Reading lamps
8Front left interior lampThe controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
Deactivating automatic control
Press switch3.
The interior lighting and the locator
lighting (
page 184) remain switched
off even when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door

open the tailgate
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective left or right turn
signals will operate when the ignition is
switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard warning
flasher switch1 once to switch it off.
!An interior lamp switched on manually does
not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switch in the ON
position for extended periods of time with the
engine turned off could result in a discharged
battery.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to
automatic mode.

154 Controls in detail
Lighting
Activating automatic control
Press switch3.
The interior lighting and the locator
lighting (
page 184) come on when
you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door

open the tailgate
The interior lighting switches off after
10 seconds see “Setting interior lighting
delayed shut-off” (
page 186).Manual control
Switching front/rear interior lighting on
and off
Press front/rear interior lighting
switch4 or 2 (
page 153) to switch
on the desired interior light.
Press front/rear interior lighting
switch4 or 2 again to switch off the
respective interior light.
Switching front reading lamps on and off
The front reading lamps are located in the
lower edge of the interior rear view mirror.
Press front reading lamp
switch1or5 (
page 153) to
switch on the desired front reading
lamp.
Press front reading lamp
switch1or5 again to switch off the
respective front reading lamp.Switching second-row reading lamps on
and off
The second row reading lamps are located
above the side windows.
1Second-row reading lamp
Press on reading lamp 1 in direction
of arrow.
The reading lamp comes on.
Press on reading lamp 1 in direction
of arrow once more.
The reading lamp goes out.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lighting
switches off automatically after approximately
5minutes.

155 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching third-row reading lamps* on
and off
The switches for the third-row reading
lamps are located in the rear overhead
control panel.
1Rear right reading lamp, on/off
2Rear left reading lamp, on/off
3Rear left reading lamp
4Rear interior lamp
5Rear right reading lampPress rear reading lamp
switch1or2 to switch on the
respective rear reading lamp.
Press rear reading lamp
switch1or2 again to switch off the
respective rear reading lamp.
Door entry lamps
For better orientation in the dark, the
corresponding door entry lamps will switch
on in darkness when you open a door and
the automatic control is activated.
The door entry lamps will switch off when
the corresponding door is closed.
Cargo compartment lamp
The cargo compartment lamp comes on
when the tailgate is opened.
If you leave the tailgate open for an
extended period of time, the cargo
compartment lamp will switch off
automatically after approximately
10 minutes.
iThe rear interior lighting is switched on and
off using the switch on the front overhead con-
trol panel (
page 153).iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and switch off the
headlamps, the door entry lamps will remain lit
for approximately 5 minutes.

156 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(
page 26).
1To dim instrument cluster illumination
2Reset button
3To brighten instrument cluster
illuminationThe instrument cluster is activated when
you
open a door

switch on the ignition (page 39)

press reset button 2

switch on the exterior lamps
(
page 146)
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 179).
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.

157 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use button 1 or 3 to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster.
To brighten illumination
Press and hold button 3 until the
desired level of illumination is reached.
To dim illumination
Press and hold button 1 until the
desired level of illumination is reached.
Resetting the trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 159).
If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 160) repeatedly until
the trip odometer appears in the multi-
function display.
Press and hold reset button 2
(
page 156) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 26) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit
ambient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be
adjusted automatically when you switch on the
vehicle’s exterior lamps.!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

158 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is indicated in the
multifunction display (
page 159).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed
temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to
the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
When moving the vehicle into colder
ambient temperatures (e.g. when leaving
your garage), you will notice a delay before
the lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

159 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 (
page 40) or as
soon as the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button* is in position1 (
page 41). The
control system enables you to

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for maintenance service, to set
the language for messages in the instru-
ment cluster display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Transmission position indicator
4Current transmission program mode
5Status indicator (outside temperature
or digital speedometer)
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(
page 162).
iThe displays for the audio systems (radio,
CD player) will appear in English, regardless of
the language selected.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.