MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 Owner's Manual

150 Controls in detailLightingUSA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime
running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 182).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to positionC
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 58).
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (page 183) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 184).Fog lamps
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromU toB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps
on. Fog lamps should only be used in
conjunction with low beam headlamps.
Consult your State or Province Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding permis-
sible lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with
the exterior lamp switch in
positionU. For switching on the fog
lamps, turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB first.

151 Controls in detail
Lighting
Front fog lamps*
Switch on the low beam headlamps
(page 58).

Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 147).

Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)

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 147).

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
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasher
High beam
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB orU (
page 147).
iIf so equipped, the front fog lamps* will
also switch on.


152 Controls in detailLighting
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 24).

Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps im-
prove illumination of the road 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 147)
or


the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 147)
or


the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 149)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps

Depending on whether you are turning
left or right, switch on the left or right
turn signal (
page 58).
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the road onto which
you are turning.
iCorner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only come on in low ambient lighting
conditions.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
function is not available at a vehicle
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
will come on automatically depending
on the steering 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.


153 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 mak-
ing 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 198).
The inverse front fog lamp comes on
automatically depending on the
steering direction and steering angle.
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.
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

154 Controls in detailLightingSwitching 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
The controls for interior lighting are locat-
ed in the overhead control panel.
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 lens
7Reading lamps
8Front left interior lamp lens
iWith the hazard warning flasher
activated and the combination switch
set for either left or right turn, only the
respective 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.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to au-
tomatic mode (
page 155).

155 Controls in detail
Lighting
Deactivating automatic control
Press switch3.
The interior lighting and the locator
lighting (
page 183) remain switched
off even when you


unlock the vehicle


open a door


open the tailgate


remove the SmartKey from the
starter switchActivating automatic control

Press switch3.
The interior lighting and the locator
lighting (
page 183) come on when
you


unlock the vehicle


open a door


open the tailgate


remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
The interior lamps go out following an
adjustable time delay (
page 185).Manual control
Switching front interior lighting on and
off

Press button4.
The lamps in the front passenger com-
partment come on.

Press button4 once more.
The lamps in the front passenger com-
partment go out.
Switching rear interior lighting on and
off

Press button2.
The lamps in the rear passenger com-
partment come on.

Press button2 once more.
The lamps in the rear passenger com-
partment go out.
iIf a door remains open, the interior
lamps switch off automatically after ap-
proximately 5 minutes when the
SmartKey is removed or in starter
switch position0.
An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.

156 Controls in detailLightingSwitching front reading lamps on and off
Press button1 or 5.
The corresponding front reading lamp
comes on.

Press button1 or 5 again.
The corresponding reading lamp goes
out.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.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 lens
4Rear interior lamp lens
5Rear right reading lamp lens

157 Controls in detail
Lighting

Press button 1 or 2.
The corresponding reading lamp
comes on.

Press button 1 or 2 once more.
The corresponding reading lamp goes
out.
Door entry lamps
The corresponding door entry lamp comes
on if a door is opened and if the interior
lighting is switched to automatic mode.
The entry lamp goes out automatically
when the 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 extend-
ed period of time, the cargo compartment
lamp will switch off automatically after ap-
proximately 10 minutes.
iThe rear interior lighting is switched on
and off using the button on the front
overhead control panel (
page 154).
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, the
door entry lamps will remain lit for
approximately 5 minutes.

158 Controls in detailInstrument clusterFor a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(page 24).
1Dimming instrument cluster illumina-
tion
2Reset button
3Brightening instrument cluster illumi-
nationThe instrument cluster is activated when
you


open a door


switch on the ignition (
page 38)


press reset button 2


switch on the exterior lamps
(page 147)
You can modify the instrument cluster set-
tings in the instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 178).
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.
Warning!
G
If the instrument cluster or the multifunction
display, or both, are inoperative or malfunc-
tioning, warning messages will not be re-
layed when potential danger exists. This
may cause you and others to be unaware of
certain risks, which may result in an acci-
dent and/or personal injury.
Contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
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.

159 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 161).

If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 162) repeatedly until
the trip odometer appears in the multi-
function display.

Press and hold reset button 2
(page 158) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(page 24) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is indicated in the
multifunction display (
page 161).
!Avoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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.