MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

210 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button2
(
page 207).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.If you have selected the AMG menu in the
control system (
page 168) and you are
driving in the manual program modeM,
upshift indicator2 in the multifunction
display advises you to upshift before the
engine reaches the overspeed range. Thus
you can drive at the maximum engine
speed for each gear without overrevving
the engine.
1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicator
Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.Downshifting
Briefly press left shift button1
(
page 207).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
!In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrevving range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
revving range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 157). Otherwise the
engine could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iWhen you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or drive off.

211 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 209) repeatedly until
CorS appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Shift to park positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Shift to drive positionD (for second
gear) or reverse gearR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.

212 Controls in detail
Good visibility
For information on the windshield wipers,
see “Windshield wipers” (
page 60).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The button is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer button
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Press button1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning*
system” (
page 372).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 48).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
1Lever
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position
by moving lever1 towards the wind-
shield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.
iThe headlamps will automatically be
cleaned when you have

switched on the headlamps
and

operated the windshield wipers with wind-
shield washer fluid fifteen times
When you switch off the ignition, the counter
resets.

213 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on
and

incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirror will not react if

the automatic transmission is set to
positionR

the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe the traffic
conditions and could cause an accident.
Warning!G
In case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can be completely
removed only while in the liquid state and by
applying plenty of water.
Warning!G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.

214 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors*
Folding the exterior rear view mirrors
in and out automatically
When the corresponding function in the
control system is activated (
page 190):

The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold in as soon as the vehicle is
locked from the outside.

The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold out as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front pas-
senger door are subsequently opened.Synchronizing exterior rear view
mirrors
The power folding rear view mirrors may
have to be synchronized after the vehicle
battery has been disconnected or dis-
charged. If the exterior rear view mirrors
do not fold properly upon locking or un-
locking the vehicle although the corre-
sponding function in the control system is
activated (
page 190), do the following:
Fold each exterior rear view mirror in
completely (
page 215).
Fold each exterior rear view mirror out
completely (
page 215).
When the exterior rear view mirrors fold
properly upon locking the vehicle, the exte-
rior mirrors are synchronized. Otherwise
repeat the above steps.Folding the exterior rear view mirrors
in and out manually
The button is located on the door control
panel.
1Button for folding exterior rear view
mirrors in and out
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
!Before you drive the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, fold the exterior rear view mir-
rors in. Otherwise they may get damaged.iThe exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if
they are not folded out completely.

215 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Folding in
Briefly press button1.
Both exterior rear view mirrors fold in.
Folding out
Briefly press button1 again.
Both exterior rear view mirrors fold out.
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
1Sun visor
2Additional sun visor*
3Mirror lamp
4Vanity mirror cover
5Vanity mirror
6Holder for gas cards
7Mounting
Glare through the windshield
Swing sun visor1 down.
Make sure sun visor 1 is properly en-
gaged in mounting 7.
When you do not experience glare any-
more, swing sun visor 1 up.
iIf you are driving at more than approximately
30 mph (47 km/h), you will not be able to fold
the exterior mirrors in.
!If an exterior rear view mirror housing is
forcibly pushed forward (hit from the rear) or
forcibly pushed rearward (hit from the front)
press button1 to fold mirrors in, then press
button1 again to fold mirrors out. Do not force
mirrors by hand as this may damage the adjust-
ment mechanism.
The mirror housing is then properly positioned
and you can adjust the mirror in the usual man-
ner.
Warning!G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.

216 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Vanity mirror
Swing sun visor1 down.
Flip up cover4 to access vanity
mirror5.
Vanity mirror lamp3 comes on.
After using vanity mirror 5, flip down
cover4.
Swing sun visor 1 up.
Glare through a side window
1Sun visor
2Additional sun visor*
Swing sun visor1 down.
Disengage sun visor1 from
mounting7 (
page 215).
Pivot sun visor1 to the side.
Swing down additional sun visor*2
when you experience additional glare
through the windshield.
Rear door window sunshade*
1Holder
2Tab
To raise sunshade, pull on tab 2 and
engage it in holder 1.
To lower sunshade, disengage tab 2
from holder 1 and guide retraction.
!To avoid damage to vanity mirror cover4
(
page 215), make sure it is closed before
pivoting sun visor 1 to the side.
!Always guide the sunshade. Do not let it
snap back abruptly, as the retractor could be
damaged.

217 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to
a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The de-
froster is automatically deactivated after
approximately 6 to 17 minutes of
operation depending on the outside tem-
perature.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).Activating
Press button1 on the climate con-
trol panel (
page 220) or the automat-
ic climate control* panel (
page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button1 once more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
!With the sunshade raised and the respective
door window open, the sunshade could disen-
gage and snap back when driving at high vehicle
speeds, e.g. on highways, and damage the
retractor. You should therefore always either
close the door window or lower the sunshade
when driving at high speed.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp starts flashing, too
many electrical consumers are operating simul-
taneously and there is insufficient voltage in the
battery. The system responds automatically by
switching the rear window defroster off.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
rear window defroster switches back on auto-
matically.

218 Controls in detail
Climate control

219 Controls in detail
Climate control
1Left side air vent, adjustable
2Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left side and door air vent
3Left center air vent, adjustable
4Right center air vent, adjustable
5Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
6Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
7Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right side and door air vent
8Right side air vent, adjustable
9Front passenger door air vent, fixed
aClimate control panel
bDriver’s door air vent, fixed
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for center air vents and side air vents to the
middle position.