MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 Owner's Manual

310 Controls in detailUseful features3Rear center console base
6Rear center console
Position center console 6 above
base3.

Insert the tabs at rear of center
console6into anchorage points4
or 5 on base 3.

Guide front of center console6 down
towards base 3.
Center console 6 must rest on
base3.

Press down on front of center
console6 until it audibly engages in
latch1or2.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his / her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the Modular COMAND
System
1 if road, weather and traffic condi-
tions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements


311 Controls in detail
Useful features
You can take and place telephone calls us-
ing thes andt buttons on the
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system
(page 194).
See separate instruction manual for infor-
mation on how to operate the telephone.
Tele Aid*
Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency


roadside assistance


information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the Modular COMAND System or on the
multifunction steering wheel. To raise, turn
the rotary volume control on Modular
COMAND System clockwise or press
buttonæ on the multifunction steering
wheel. To lower, turn the rotary volume
control on Modular COMAND System con-
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid
system may only be performed by
completing the subscriber agreement
and placing an acquaintance call using
the ¡button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding
activation, please call the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

312 Controls in detailUseful featurestrol counterclockwise or press
buttonç on the multifunction steering
wheel.
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Malfunction. Drive to work-
shop
appears in the multifunction display.
iThe SOS button is located in the over-
head control panel.
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located below the center armrest
cover.!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the Modular COMAND System audio is
muted and the selected mode (radio,
CD etc.) pauses. The optional cellular
phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this
phone, we recommend that you use it
only with the vehicle at a standstill in a
safe location. Remove the phone from
the cradle and place the call. The navi-
gation* system (if engaged) will contin-
ue to run. The display in the instrument
cluster is available for use, and spoken
commands are only available by press-
ing the RPT button on the Modular
COMAND System. A pop-up window
will appear in the Modular COMAND
System display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the Tele Aid
call has ended, the optional cellular
phone inserted in the cradle switches
on again. A PIN entry might be neces-
sary.

313 Controls in detail
Useful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 314) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp on the SOS button will
begin to flash. The message
Connecting Call
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
Call connected

appears in the multifunction display. All in-
formation relevant to the emergency, such
as the location of the vehicle (determined
by the GPS satellite location system), vehi-
cle model, identification number and color
are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to
determine more precisely the nature of the
accident provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message Malfunction. Drive to workshop
is
displayed in the multifunction display after
the system self-check, a malfunction in the
system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.

314 Controls in detailUseful featuresThe Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection
and cellular air time


vehicle battery power is available


the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the response cen-
terInitiating an emergency call manually
1Cover
2SOS button

Briefly press on cover1.
The cover opens.

Press SOS button2 briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button2
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.

Wait for a voice connection to the
Response Center.

Close cover1 after the emergency
call is concluded.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the
Response Center.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message
Call failed
appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.

315 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
1Roadside Assistance button•
Open the storage tray (
page 296).

Press and hold button1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message Connecting call
will appear in the
multifunction display.When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
Warning!
G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle,
vehicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they re-
ceive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.
iWhile the call is connected you can
change to the navigation menu by
pressing NAV button on the Modular
COMAND System unit.

316 Controls in detailUseful featuresThe Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance Manual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately
10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the igni-
tion (together with the SOS button and
the Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 312) if
the indicator lamp does not come on in
red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• is flashing
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network was not available). The
message
Call failed
appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be
terminated using thet button on
the multifunction steering wheel or the
END Button on the Modular COMAND
System.

317 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Information button¡
Open the storage tray (
page 296).

Press and hold button1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting call
will appear
in the multifunction display.When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and servic-
es is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
iWhile the call is connected, you can
change to the navigation menu by
pressing NAV button on the Modular
COMAND System.
iThe indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red
for approximately 10 seconds during
the system self-check after switching
on the ignition (together with the
SOS button and the Roadside
Assistance button•).
See system self-check (
page 312) if
the indicator lamp does not come on in
red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously
and there was no voice connection to
the Response Center established, then
the Tele Aid system could not initiate
an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message
Call failed
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

318 Controls in detailUseful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are
active, an Emergency call is still possible.
In this case, the Emergency call will take
priority and override all other active calls. Information calls can be terminated
using thet button on the multi-
function steering wheel or the END But-
ton on the Modular COMAND System.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flash-
ing after pressing one of the buttons or
remain illuminated (in red) at any time,
the Tele Aid system has detected a
malfunction or the service is not
currently active, and may not initiate a
call. Visit your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center and
have the system checked or contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon
as possible.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective
button flashes until the call is conclud-
ed. Emergency calls can only be termi-
nated by a Response Center or
Customer Assistance Center represen-
tative, whereas Roadside Assistance
and Information calls can also be termi-
nated by pressing buttont on the
multifunction steering wheel or using
the END button on the Modular
COMAND System.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100
in Canada.

319 Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.

Then return to your vehicle at the time
arranged with the Response Center
and pull the tailgate recessed handle
for minimum of 20 seconds until the
SOS button is flashing.
The message
Connecting call
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.The Response Center will then unlock your
vehicle with the remote door unlocking
feature.Stolen Vehicle Recovery services
In the event your vehicle was stolen:

Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered
incident report.

Pass this number on to the
Mercedes-Benz Response Center along
with your password issued to you when
you subscribed to the service.
The Response Center will then attempt
to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is
located, the Response Center will
contact the local law enforcement and
you. The vehicle’s location will only be
provided to law enforcement.
iThe remote door unlock feature is
available if the relevant cellular phone
network is available.
The SOS button will flash and the
message
Connecting call
will appear
in the multifunction display to indicate
receipt of the door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a
Response Center specialist may
attempt to establish voice contact with
the vehicle occupants.
If the tailgate recessed handle was
pulled for more than 20 seconds
before door unlock authorization was
received by the Response Center, you
must wait 15 minutes before pulling
the tailgate recessed handle again.