windshield wipers MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 User Guide

398 OperationVehicle careHand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. 
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
!If you want the gear position to remain
inN (for example when the vehicle is
pulled through a car wash)


do not remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*


do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button*
and open the driver’s door
Otherwise, the transmission will shift
toP and lock the wheels, preventing
the vehicle from being pulled through a
car wash.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to0 (
page 59). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 400). This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure
that the mirrors are folded out. Other-
wise they may vibrate.

400 OperationVehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Fold wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the
sensor covers. Applying strong pres-
sure may damage the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on main-
taining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.!To prevent scratches, never apply
strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty
sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status
0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch or
pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!To clean the window interior, do not
use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or
cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the inside of the front, rear or
side windows with hard objects such as
an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.

475 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Front wiper blades Removing

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (
page 39).

Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.1Wiper blade
2Tab
3Wiper arm

Press tabs2 together.

Tilt wiper blade 1 away from wiper
arm 3.

Take off wiper blade 1 in direction of
arrow.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are proper-
ly installed. Improperly installed wiper
blades may cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove the SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.

476 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesInstalling
1Wiper blade
2Attachment
3Guide tab
4Opening
With guide tab 3 sliding into opening
4, place wiper blade 1 onto wiper
arm in direction of arrow.

Fold wiper blade 1 towards wiper
arm.
Tabs 2 must engage into both recess-
es of attachment 2.

Check whether the wiper blade is
securely fastened.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield.
Make sure to hold on to the wiper when
folding the wiper arm back.
Rear wiper bladeWarning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.!Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the rear window.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the rear window glass without a wiper
blade inserted.

535 Index
A
ABS 97, 529
ABS control 97
Malfunction indicator lamp 404
Messages in display 418
Warning lamp 404
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 203
Accessory weight 385, 529
Accident
In case of 63
Activating
Air circulation mode 242
Air conditioning (cooling) 226
Air recirculation mode 225, 239
Anti-theft alarm system 105
Central locking (control system) 188
Defrosting 223
Easy-entry/exit feature* 189
Electric air pump 483
ESP
®
102
Exterior headlamps 58
Hazard warning flasher 154
Headlamps 58
High beams 151
Ignition 38Immobilizer 66, 104
Rear window defroster 215
Rear window wiper 62
Residual heat 243
Residual heat* 228
Seat heating* 142
Tow-away alarm 107
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 276
Windshield wipers 59
Adding
Coolant 351
Engine oil 349
Additional turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Adjusting 42
Air distribution 222, 236
Air volume 222, 237
Backrest tilt 44
Exterior rear view mirror 48
Head restraint height 44
Head restraint tilt 45
Instrument cluster illumination 158
Interior rear view mirror 48
Mirrors 47
Multicontour seat* 136
Seat cushion depth 136Seat cushion tilt 44
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Seat height 44
Seats 42
Steering column height 47
Steering wheel 45
Adjusting steering column in or out 47
Adjusting steering column up or down 47
Air bags 71
Children 72
Front 75
Passenger 75
Safety guidelines 74
Side impact 76
Window curtain 76
Air conditioning
Turning off 226
Turning on 226
Air conditioning refrigerant 523
Air distribution
Adjusting 222, 236
Air pressure 385, 529
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 483

539 Index
Closing the tailgate from the inside
electrically* 124
Closing the tailgate from the outside (vehi-
cles without KEYLESS-GO*) 126
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof*
In an emergency 462
Cockpit 22, 529
Cold tire inflation pressure 386, 529
Collapsible tire 457, 530
Collapsible wheel chock 457
Combination switch
High beam flasher 58
Turn signals 58
Windshield wipers 59
Compass 186, 327
Adjustment 186
Calibration 187
Setting the compass zone 186
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 339Control system 530
AUDIO menu 170
Convenience submenu 189
Display digital speedometer 169
Functions 165
Instrument cluster submenu 178,
180
Lighting submenu 182
Malfunction memory menu 173
Menus 164, 165
Selecting radio system 170
Selecting satellite radio* system 171
Settings menu 174
Standard display menu 168
Submenus 163, 165
TEL* menu 194
Trip computer menu 192
Vehicle submenu 186
Convenience submenu 189
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 189Coolant 351, 525
Adding 351
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 526
Checking level 351
Messages in display 433, 436
Temperature 341
Coolant level
Checking 351
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 152
Cruise control 264, 530
Canceling 266
Driving downhill 265
Driving uphill 265
Setting current speed 265
Setting speeds 269
Cruise control lever 264
Cup holder
Front center console 299
In rear center console 301
Cup holders 299
Cleaning 401
Curb weight 386, 530
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 529

552 IndexSetting current speed 265
Settings
Convenience functions 189
Factory, SmartKey 112
Lighting (control system) 182
Menus and submenus 163
Resetting all (control system) 175
Resetting in the submenu 176
Selective 112, 118
Settings menu
Individual vehicle settings 174
Submenus 176
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 200
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 207
Side impact air bags 76
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 399
Side windows
Closing 249
Sidemarker lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Sidewall 387, 533, 534Simultaneous wiping and washing
Rear window wiper/washer 62
Windshield wipers 60
Single wipe 60
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Stopping 262
SmartKey 110
Battery 463
Battery check lamp 112, 118
Checking the batteries 113, 119
Factory setting 112
Global locking 112
Global locking and unlocking 112
Global unlocking 112
Loss of 114
Selective setting 112
Starter switch positions 38
Unlocking with 36
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 114
Factory setting 118
Global locking 118
Loss of 121
Messages in display 440
Remote control 115
Selective setting 118
Unlocking 114Snow chains 391
Spare wheel 457, 517
Removing 458
Speed
Setting current 265
Speed settings
Cruise control 267, 269
Speedometer 25
Settings units 178
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 178
SRS 79, 533
Indicator lamp 411
SRS indicator lamp 27
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Standing water
Driving instructions 338
Starting difficulties 55
Starting position 38
Starting the engine 53
Steering column
Height adjustment 47
Length adjustment 47

553 Index
Steering wheel
Adjusting 45
Cleaning 402
Electrical adjustment* 46
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 205
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 319
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof* 262
Stopping door windows 250
Storage compartments 294
Armrest 296
Glove box 294
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 296
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions in memory 145
Storing tires 355
Stranded vehicle 502
Submenus
Convenience 189
For settings 163
In control system 165
Instrument cluster 178, 180
Lighting 182Resetting functions in Control
system 176
Selecting 176
Settings menu 176
Vehicle 186
Sun visor 212
Sunshade*
Rear door window 214
Third-row 214
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 533
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 188
ESP
®
101
Hazard warning flasher 154
Headlamps 65
Seat heating* 143
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 188
ESP
®
102
Front fog lamps* 151
Hazard warning flasher 154
Headlamps 58
High beams 151Rear fog lamp 151
Seat heating* 142
Windshield wipers 59
Synchronizing
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* 262
Power windows 251
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 258
T
Tachometer 159
Displaying gear range 202
Overspeed range 159
Tail lamps 472
Cleaning lenses 399
Replacing bulbs 466
Tailgate
Closing 124
Closing from the inside
electrically* 124
Closing from the outside (vehicles with-
out KEYLESS-GO*) 126
Opening 122
Opening from the inside
electrically* 123

557 Index
Infrared reflecting* 328
Refilling washer fluid 352
Replacing wiper blades 475
Washer fluid 352, 528
Washer system 528
Windshield washer fluid 528
Message in display 451
Mixing ratio 528
Refilling 352
Wiping with 60
Windshield washer system 528
Windshield wiper switch 59
Windshield wipers 59
Fast wiper speed 59
Intermittent 59
Intermittent wiping 59
Interval wiping 60
Normal wiper speed 59
Rear window wiper/washer 61
Replacing wiper blades 475
Simultaneous wiping and washing 62
Single wipe 60
Switching on 59
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 60Winter driving
Snow chains 391
Tires 390
Winter driving instructions 337
Winter tires 390
Wiper blades
Replacing 475
Wiper/washer
Rear window 61
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 60
Intermittent 59, 60
Interval 59
With windshield washer fluid 60
Wiping and washing simultaneously 62
Wood trims, cleaning 402
X
Xenon headlamps*
Bi-Xenon* 529