MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

160 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
Depending on the selected menu, pressing
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel will alter what is shown in the multi-
function display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or
CD operations under
AUDIO, for example).
These functions serve to call up relevant
information or to customize the settings
for your vehicle.
1Multifunction display
Operating the control system
2Selecting the submenu or setting
the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming call
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
6Voice Control*1
1Vehicles without Voice Control*: Button without
function.
7Voice Control*1

161 Controls in detail
Control system
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.

If you press buttonè orÿ
repeatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.

If you press buttonk orj
repeatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu.In the
Settings menu, instead of func-
tions, you will find a number of submenus
for calling up and changing settings. For in-
structions on using these submenus, see
“Settings menu” (
page 176).
The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment
is installed in your vehicle.The menus are described on the following
pages.

162 Controls in detail
Control system
MenusThis is what you will see when you scroll
through the menus1 to5.The table on the next page provides an
overview of the individual menus.

163 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5
Standard displayAMG1
1AMG vehicles only.
AudioNavi*Airmatic*/Compass
(page 166)(page 168)(page 171)(page 173)(page 174)
Commands/submenus
Trip- and main odometerEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationRoute guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledAIRMATIC*
Checking tire inflation
pressureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)Compass
Checking coolant
temperatureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Calling up digital
speedometer or outside
temperatureOverall analysis
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorLap analysis
Checking engine oil level
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within thesystem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.The first function displayed in each menu will
show you which part of the system you are in.

164 Controls in detail
Control system
This is what you will see when you scroll
through the menus6 tob.The table on the next page provides an
overview of the individual menus.

165 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu6Menu7Menu8Menu9MenuaMenub
DISTRONIC*Vehicle status
message memorySettingsDistance warning
function*Trip computerTelephone*
(page 271)(page 174)(page 176)(page 191)(page 191)(page 193)
Commands/submenus
Status and settingsCalling up
malfunction mes-
sages, warning mes-
sages, and system
status messages
stored in memoryResetting to factory
settingsDistance warning
function* on/offFuel consumption
statistics after startLoading phone book
Instrument cluster
submenuFuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetSearching for name
in phone book
Time/Date
submenuDistance to empty
Lighting submenu
Vehicle submenu
Comfort submenu*
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those shown in the control system displays. The first
function displayed in each menu will show you
which part of the system you are in.

166 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears.
Press buttonkorj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Checking tire inflation pressure382
Checking coolant temperature166
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature167
Calling up maintenance service
indicator409
Checking engine oil level
(R 500 only)366
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

167 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the digital speedometer or the
outside temperature appears in the
multifunction display.
Digital speedometer
Outside temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 455).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select whether the digital speed-
ometer or the outside temperature is to be
displayed.
You can change the setting in the submenu
Instr. cluster via the function Status line
display
, see “Selecting display (digital speed-
ometer or outside temperature) for status
indicator” (
page 180).

168 Controls in detail
Control system
AMG menu
The main screen of the AMG menu shows
you the gear currently engaged as well as
the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
1Gear indicator
2Engine oil temperatureUse buttons k or j to select the fol-
lowing functions in the AMG menu:Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the vehicle supply voltage.
1Gear indicator
2Vehicle supply voltage
iThis function is only available in AMG
vehicles.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol
flashes if the engine oil temperature has not yet
reached 80°C. During this time, avoid driving at
full engine speed.
FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage168
RACETIMER169
Overall analysis170
Lap analysis171
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range in
the manual shift program (
page 209), the
menu will be shown in red. In addition, you will
see UP next to gear indicator 1 as a reminder to
upshift.

169 Controls in detail
Control system
RACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the RACETIMER.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap numberStarting the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer starts.
Displaying intermediate time
Press button ç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
Stopping the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer stops.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under any circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain re-
sponsible for following posted speed limits.
iYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 39).
iWhile the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using
buttonsæ or ç.
iWhen you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (
page 39) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you
switch the ignition back on (
page 39) or
restart the engine (
page 54) and then press
the æbutton.