MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 Repair Manual

60 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampLorK in the instrument
cluster flashes.The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ment.
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
iIf the combination switch is pressed to the
point of resistance and released, the corre-
sponding turn signals flash three times.
!Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/or
damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on
a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the
windshield wipers in dry weather conditions,
always operate the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid (
page 62).
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediate-
ly.

For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in
position0, same as with SmartKey
removed from starter switch)
before attempting to remove any blockage.

Remove blockage.

Turn the windshield wipers on again.

61 Getting started
Driving
Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the
desired position depending on the in-
tensity of the rain.
MWindshield wipers off
USlow intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with low
sensitivity.
VFast intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with high
sensitivity.
uSlow continuous wiping
tFast continuous wipingIntermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under
wet weather conditions or in the presence
of precipitation.
When you select intermittent wiping, the
rain sensor is activated. The rain sensor
automatically sets a suitable wiping
interval depending on the wetness of the
sensor surface.
Turn the combination switch to
positionU orV.After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at all in
combination switch positionU orV,

set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed

have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center
!Do not leave windshield wipers in intermit-
tent setting when the vehicle is taken to an auto-
matic car wash or during windshield cleaning.
Wipers will operate in the presence of water
sprayed on the windshield, and windshield
wipers may be damaged as a result.
!If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows.
You should therefore switch off the windshield
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when

all doors are closed
and

the automatic transmission is set to
positionD or R
or

the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch

62 Getting started
Driving
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 past the resis-
tance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning*
system” (
page 372).
Rear window wiper/washer
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Rear window wiper switch
2Wiping rear window with washer fluid
3Intermittent wiping
4Rear window wiper off
5Wiping rear window with washer fluid6Rear window wiper indicator
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Activating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position3 (
page 62).
In the lower multifunction display you
will see indicator6, indicating that
the rear window wiper is activated.
iTo prevent smears on the windshield, wipe
with windshield washer fluid every now and then
even when it is raining.
iThe rear window wiper engages automatical-
ly when the automatic transmission is shifted to
positionR with the windshield wipers switched
on.

63 Getting started
Driving
Deactivating intermittent wipe
Turn rear window wiper switch 1 to
position4 (
page 62).
Indicator6for the rear window wiper
is cleared from the lower multifunction
display, indicating that the rear window
wiper is deactivated.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Turn and hold rear window wiper
switch 1 in position 2 or 5
(
page 62) until the rear window is
clean.
The rear window wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning*
system” (
page 372).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged
(gasoline engine only).

The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it
(gasoline engine only).
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the
engine. Allow engine and coolant to
cool.
Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 370).

64 Getting started
Driving
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
If no damage can be determined on the

major assemblies

fuel system

engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. In this case, it is important
to keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a
result of vehicle movement, before turning
off the engine and leaving the vehicle
always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.

66 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handleStep firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM.
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 146).
Warning!G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the
vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when
the parking brake is engaged. Make sure not
to endanger any other road users when you
engage the parking brake.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of positionP,
either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the auto-
matic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 199).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

67 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 199).
Apply the parking brake (page 66).Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 40).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) to turn off the
engine.
With the driver’s door closed, the
starter switch is now in position1. With
the driver’s door opened, the starter
switch is set to position0, same as
SmartKey removed from starter switch
(
page 39).
iIf the engine cannot be turned off as
described, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 522).
Warning!G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the
engine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 199).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
iIf you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the transmission in a position other
than P, the transmission will automatically shift
toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission to P. Only when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
iYou can turn off the engine while driving by
pressing and holding the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button for approximately 3 seconds.
iIf you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the transmission in a position
other than P, the transmission will automatically
shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not
automatically shift the transmission to P. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.

68 Getting started
Parking and locking
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(
page 52).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
Locking
Exit the vehicle and close all doors and
the tailgate.
Locking with the SmartKey
Press button‹on the SmartKey
(
page 38).
With the tailgate and all doors closed,
the turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs on the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 112).
!Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so that
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim pan-
el. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors.
Be especially careful when small children
are around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you, and
lock your vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iIf you hear a warning signal, you have
forgotten to switch off the exterior lamps before
opening the driver’s door.
In addition the message
Switch off lights
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the exterior lamps.

69 Getting started
Parking and locking
Locking with KEYLESS-GO*
1Lock button on the outside door handle
Press lock button1 on an outside
door handle.
With the tailgate and all doors closed,
the turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs on the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 112).