height MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 Owner's Guide

345 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood lock release lever

Pull release lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked. Handle2 pro-
trudes slightly from the radiator grille.
If not, lift the hood slightly.
2Handle for opening the hood

Press and hold handle2 in direction
of arrow.
The hood is unlocked.

Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the
wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.


346 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption
can occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.!Do not push the hood closed manually,
as this could damage it.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.


377 Operation
Tires and wheels
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (
page 376) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 376) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 378).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 376) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (page 376) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 382) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.
Warning!
G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 386) of your vehi-
cle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the result
which may cause an accident and/or seri-
ous personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the plac-
ard located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
Overloading the tires can overheat them,
possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the
tires can also result in handling or steering
problems, or brake failure.

385 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

425 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible
cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front passenger airbag
disabled
see Operator’s Manual
Front passenger front
air bag is deactivated
while driving even
though an adult or
someone larger than a
small individual is oc-
cupying the front pas-
senger seat. Forces
acting on the seat may
make the system
sense a decrease in
weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front passen-
ger seat for the following:
Turn off the ignition (
page 38).

Have the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.

Adjust the seat in a height position (
page 43).

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g. ob-
jects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged underneath, behind or around the
seat). Such forces may cause the system to sense that an occupant of a lesser
weight than actually present is on the front passenger seat.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch on the
ignition (
page 38).
(Continued on next page)

453 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
n
*
wait briefly
The vehicle level is too low.

Do not drive off.
The vehicle level control* has not yet
adjusted the vehicle level to the nec-
essary height required for driving.

Wait until the message disappears
from the multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
Compressor
cooling down
Level control was activated too long/too
frequently.

Let the compressor cool until the
message disappears.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled down.
Level selection
not permitted
You are driving too fast for the desired
level selection.

Reduce vehicle speed.

Set the next higher level
(page 271).
!When the message
Compressor cool-
ing down
appears in the multifunction
display, driving is still possible.
Keep in mind that the ride height of the
vehicle is not yet reached and you
could therefore damage the underbody
of the vehicle.
The selected level will be set once the
compressor has cooled down.

519 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
Model
R 350, R 500
Overall vehicle length
203.0in (5157mm)
Overall vehicle width
75.7 in (1 922 mm)
Overall vehicle height
65.4 in (1 661 mm)
Wheelbase
126.6 in (3 215 mm)
Track, front
65.6 in (1 665 mm)
Track, rear
65.3 in (1 658 mm)
Ground clearance
5.8 in (148 mm)
Turning circle
40.7 ft (12.4 m)

529 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 385)
ADS
(Adaptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Airmatic*
Automatically selects the optimum sus-
pension tuning and ride height for your
vehicle. Airmatic consists of two com-
ponents:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level control
Air pressure
(
page 385)Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(
page 385)
Bar
(page 386)
BAS
(Brake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 386)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator / warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 386)

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

544 IndexHeadliner
Cleaning 402
Height adjustment
Head restraints 44
Seat belts 52
Steering wheel 45
High beam flasher 58, 152
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 443
Switching on 151
Hood 345
Closing 346
Message in display 439
Opening 345
Hooks
Loading 282
Hydroplaning 335
I
Identification labels 510
Certification label 510
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) 511
Ignition 38
Switching on 54Immobilizer 104
Activating 104
Deactivating 104
Infant and child restraint systems 82
Installing 90
LATCH child seat mounts 92
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 317
Infrared reflecting windshield* 328
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 209
Installing
Front wiper blades 476, 477
Infant and child restraint systems 90
Vehicle battery 489
Instrument cluster 24, 158, 531
Cleaning 401
Illumination 158
Lamps in 409
Outside temperature indicator 159
Selecting language 178
Instruments and controls see CockpitInterior lighting 154
Activating automatic control 155
Deactivating automatic control 155
Delayed switch-off 185
Manual operation 155
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 48
Intermittent wiping 60
J
Jump starting 496
K
Key, Mechanical 459
KEYLESS-GO*
Closing tailgate 128, 129
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 121
Starting the engine 54
Turning off engine 66
Unlocking and opening, tailgate 120
Unlocking with 37
Kickdown 203, 531
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 178
Kilopascal 386
Kilopascal (kPa) 531
Km/h or mph in speedometer 178