mirror MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 W251 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Door control panel................................ 34
Getting started................................... 35
Unlocking ............................................. 36
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 36
Unlocking with Keyless-Go* ........... 37
Starter switch positions .................. 38
Adjusting .............................................. 42
Seats .............................................. 42
Steering wheel ................................ 45
Mirrors ............................................ 47
Driving .................................................. 50
Fastening the seat belts ................. 50
Starting the engine ......................... 53
Parking brake ................................. 56
Driving ............................................ 56
Switching on headlamps ................. 58
Turn signals .................................... 58
Windshield wipers ........................... 59
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 61
Problems while driving.................... 62
Parking and locking .............................. 64
Parking brake ................................. 65
Switching off headlamps................. 65
Turning off the engine..................... 66
Releasing seat belts........................ 67
Locking ........................................... 67

Contents Safety and Security.......................... 69
Occupant safety................................... 70
Air bags .......................................... 71
Seat belts ....................................... 77
Preventive occupant safety*
(PRE-SAFE
®) ................................... 81
Children in the vehicle .................... 82
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 93
Panic alarm .......................................... 95
Activating ....................................... 96
Deactivating ................................... 96
Driving safety systems ......................... 97
ABS ................................................ 97
BAS ................................................ 99
ESP
®............................................... 99
EBP............................................... 102
4-ETS ............................................ 102
Anti-theft systems.............................. 104
Immobilizer................................... 104
Anti-theft alarm system ................ 104
Tow-away alarm ........................... 106
Controls in detail............................. 109
Locking and unlocking ....................... 110
SmartKey ..................................... 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 114
Opening the doors from the inside 121
Opening the tailgate ..................... 122
Closing the tailgate ...................... 124
Automatic central locking ............ 130
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 131
Seats ................................................. 132
Easy-entry/exit feature* .............. 132
Lumbar support............................ 136
Multicontour seat* ....................... 136
Rear seats .................................... 137
Seat heating* ............................... 141
Memory function* ............................. 144
Storing positions into memory ..... 145
Recalling positions from memory . 145
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 146
Lighting.............................................. 147
Exterior lamp switch..................... 147
Combination switch ..................... 151Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* ......................................... 152
Hazard warning flasher ................ 153
Interior lighting ............................ 154
Door entry lamps ......................... 157
Cargo compartment lamp ............ 157
Instrument cluster ............................. 158
Instrument cluster illumination .... 158
Trip odometer .............................. 159
Tachometer.................................. 159
Outside temperature indicator ..... 159
Control system .................................. 161
Multifunction display.................... 161
Multifunction steering wheel........ 162
Menus .......................................... 164
Standard display menu ................ 168
AUDIO menu ................................ 170
NAV* menu .................................. 172
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 172
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 173
Settings menu.............................. 174
Vehicle configuration ................... 191
Trip computer menu..................... 192
TEL menu* ................................... 194

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 197
Gear selector lever ....................... 197
Shifting procedure ....................... 199
Transmission positions................. 200
Gear ranges ................................. 202
Driving tips ................................... 203
Automatic shift program .............. 204
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 205
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 207
Good visibility .................................... 208
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 208
Rear view mirrors ......................... 208
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors* ....................................... 211
Sun visors .................................... 212
Rear door window sunshade* ...... 214
Third-row sunshade* .................... 214
Rear window defroster ................. 215
Climate control .................................. 216
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 220
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 221Setting the temperature................ 222
Adjusting air distribution............... 222
Adjusting air volume ..................... 222
Front defroster.............................. 223
Air recirculation mode .................. 224
Air conditioning............................. 226
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 227
Rear climate control ..................... 228
3-zone automatic climate control* ..... 230
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 234
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 235
Setting the temperature................ 236
Adjusting air distribution............... 236
Adjusting air volume ..................... 237
Front defroster.............................. 238
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 239
Air recirculation mode .................. 239
Air conditioning............................. 241
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones........................ 242
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 243
Rear automatic climate control..... 244Power windows .................................. 248
Opening and closing ..................... 248
Synchronizing the door windows .. 251
Summer opening feature .............. 251
Convenience closing feature......... 252
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 255
Opening and closing ..................... 255
Synchronizing ............................... 258
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel*............................... 259
Roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel ........................... 259
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel ........................... 260
Synchronizing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel......... 262
Driving systems .................................. 264
Cruise control ............................... 264
AIRMATIC* ................................... 269
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 274

31 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Left reading lamp on/off
154
2
Rear interior lighting on/off
154
3
Automatic interior lighting
154
4
Front interior lighting on/off
154
5
Right reading lamp on/off
154
6
Front right interior lamp
lens
154
7
Tilt/sliding sunroof* switch
Tilt/sliding panel* switch
255
259
8
Tele Aid* (emergency call
system) button
314
9
Vehicles without
telephone* installed:
Hands-free microphone for
TeleAid* (emergency call
system)
311
Item
Page
a
Interior rear view mirror
208
b
Reading lamp, front passen-
ger side
154
c
Vehicles with telephone*
installed:
Hands-free microphone for
TeleAid* (emergency call
system) and telephone*
311
d
Garage door opener*
320
e
Reading lamp, driver’s side
154
f
Front left interior lamp lens
154

34 At a glanceDoor control panel
Item
Page
1
Door handle
121
2
Central locking/unlocking
switch
131
3
Exterior rear view mirror ad-
justment
48
4
Selection buttons for exteri-
or rear view mirror adjust-
ment
Power-folding exterior rear
view mirrors*
48
211
5
Switches for opening/clos-
ing front and rear door win-
dows
248
6
Rear side window override
switch
94
7
Hinged quarter window
switch*
250
8
Remote tailgate release
switch, Tailgate opening
system*
123,
124

42 Getting startedAdjustingSeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 50).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
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.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and / or seri-
ous personal injury.
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats
whenever possible. Regardless of seating
position, children 12 years old and under
must be seated and properly secured in an
appropriate infant or toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. For additional informa-
tion, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 82).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.

43 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
1 Head restraint height*
2Seat cushion tilt
3Seat height
4Backrest tilt
5 Seat fore and aft adjustment

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
or

Open the respective door (vehicles
with memory function*).
The seat can be adjusted with the re-
spective door opened.
or

Open a front door (vehicles without
memory function*).
The seat can be adjusted within
3 minutes after either front door has
been opened.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in direction of arrow5.
Adjust the seat to a comfortable seat-
ing position that still allows you to
reach the accelerator/brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far to
the rear as possible, consistent with
ability to properly operate controls.
!When adjusting the seat backrest tilt
and head restraint height, make sure
the sun visor is folded up (
page 212).
If the head restraint is in the uppermost
position, it could hit and damage the
sun visor.
iThe memory function* (
page 144)
lets you store the settings for the seat
position together with the settings for
the steering wheel column and the ex-
terior rear view mirrors.
!When moving the seat, make sure
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.

47 Getting started
Adjusting
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the lower left of the steering
column.
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down
Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
or

Open the driver’s door.Adjusting steering column in or out

Move stalk forward or back in direction
of arrow1 until a comfortable steer-
ing wheel position is reached with your
arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down

Move stalk up or down in direction of
arrow2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all displays (including malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the instru-
ment cluster are clearly visible.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
iThe memory function (
page 144) lets
you store the settings for the steering
wheel column together with the set-
tings for seat positions and the exterior
rear view mirrors.
Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass
breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can only be
completely removed while in their
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.

48 Getting startedAdjustingInterior rear view mirror
Manually adjust the interior rear view
mirror.
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 208).
Exterior rear view mirrorsThe buttons are located on the driver’s
door.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Adjustment button
3Passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror button

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).

Press button1 for the driver’s side ex-
terior rear view mirror or button3for
the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
The indicator lamp on the respective
button comes on for approximately
15 seconds.

Push adjustment button2up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the
passenger-side exterior rear view mirror.
The mirror surface is convex (outwardly
curved surface for a wider field of view). Ob-
jects in mirror are closer than they appear.
Check your interior rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing
lanes.
iIf you do not make adjustments to the
selected exterior rear view mirror with-
in 15 seconds, the indicator lamp goes
out. You will then have to select the de-
sired exterior rear view mirror again be-
fore any adjustments can be made.
Adjustments can only be made with the
indicator lamp for the respective exteri-
or rear view mirror button illuminated.

49 Getting started
Adjusting
For more information, see “Rear view mir-
rors” (
page 208) and “Storing exterior
rear view mirror parking position”
(
page 146).
!If an exterior rear view mirror was forc-
ibly pushed forward (hit from the rear)
or forcibly pushed rearward (hit from
the front), reposition it by applying firm
pressure until it snaps into place. The
mirror housing is then properly posi-
tioned and you can adjust the mirror in
the usual manner.!Vehicles with power folding exterior
rear view mirrors*:
If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward (hit from the
rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit
from the front) press button1 to fold
mirrors in, then press button1 again
to fold mirrors out. Do not force mirrors
by hand as this may damage the adjust-
ment mechanism.
The mirror housing is then properly po-
sitioned and you can adjust the mirror
in the usual manner.
iThe memory function* (
page 144)
lets you store the settings for the exte-
rior rear view mirrors together with the
setting for the steering wheel column
and the seat positions.
At low ambient temperatures, the
exterior rear view mirrors will be heat-
ed automatically.