display MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 Owner's Guide

159 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 (
page 40) or as
soon as the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button* is in position1 (
page 41). The
control system enables you to

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for maintenance service, to set
the language for messages in the instru-
ment cluster display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Transmission position indicator
4Current transmission program mode
5Status indicator (outside temperature
or digital speedometer)
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(
page 162).
iThe displays for the audio systems (radio,
CD player) will appear in English, regardless of
the language selected.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.

160 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
Depending on the selected menu, pressing
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel will alter what is shown in the multi-
function display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or
CD operations under
AUDIO, for example).
These functions serve to call up relevant
information or to customize the settings
for your vehicle.
1Multifunction display
Operating the control system
2Selecting the submenu or setting
the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming call
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
6Voice Control*1
1Vehicles without Voice Control*: Button without
function.
7Voice Control*1

161 Controls in detail
Control system
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.

If you press buttonè orÿ
repeatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.

If you press buttonk orj
repeatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu.In the
Settings menu, instead of func-
tions, you will find a number of submenus
for calling up and changing settings. For in-
structions on using these submenus, see
“Settings menu” (
page 176).
The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment
is installed in your vehicle.The menus are described on the following
pages.

163 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5
Standard displayAMG1
1AMG vehicles only.
AudioNavi*Airmatic*/Compass
(page 166)(page 168)(page 171)(page 173)(page 174)
Commands/submenus
Trip- and main odometerEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationRoute guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledAIRMATIC*
Checking tire inflation
pressureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)Compass
Checking coolant
temperatureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Calling up digital
speedometer or outside
temperatureOverall analysis
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorLap analysis
Checking engine oil level
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within thesystem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.The first function displayed in each menu will
show you which part of the system you are in.

165 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu6Menu7Menu8Menu9MenuaMenub
DISTRONIC*Vehicle status
message memorySettingsDistance warning
function*Trip computerTelephone*
(page 271)(page 174)(page 176)(page 191)(page 191)(page 193)
Commands/submenus
Status and settingsCalling up
malfunction mes-
sages, warning mes-
sages, and system
status messages
stored in memoryResetting to factory
settingsDistance warning
function* on/offFuel consumption
statistics after startLoading phone book
Instrument cluster
submenuFuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetSearching for name
in phone book
Time/Date
submenuDistance to empty
Lighting submenu
Vehicle submenu
Comfort submenu*
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those shown in the control system displays. The first
function displayed in each menu will show you
which part of the system you are in.

166 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears.
Press buttonkorj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Checking tire inflation pressure382
Checking coolant temperature166
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature167
Calling up maintenance service
indicator409
Checking engine oil level
(R 500 only)366
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

167 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the digital speedometer or the
outside temperature appears in the
multifunction display.
Digital speedometer
Outside temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 455).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select whether the digital speed-
ometer or the outside temperature is to be
displayed.
You can change the setting in the submenu
Instr. cluster via the function Status line
display
, see “Selecting display (digital speed-
ometer or outside temperature) for status
indicator” (
page 180).

169 Controls in detail
Control system
RACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the RACETIMER.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap numberStarting the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer starts.
Displaying intermediate time
Press button ç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
Stopping the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer stops.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under any circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain re-
sponsible for following posted speed limits.
iYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 39).
iWhile the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using
buttonsæ or ç.
iWhen you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (
page 39) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you
switch the ignition back on (
page 39) or
restart the engine (
page 54) and then press
the æbutton.

171 Controls in detail
Control system
Lap analysis
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the lap analysis.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Lap length
5Average speed during lap
Press button j or k to see other
lap analyses.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
Audio menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
Audio off appears in the
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:Selecting radio station
Turn on the COMAND system and
select radio. Refer to separate
COMAND system operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the currently tuned station
appears in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Station frequency
iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
the RACETIMER.
iEach lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol 1.
FunctionPage
Selecting radio station171
Selecting satellite radio station*
(USA only)172
Operating CD player172


172 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired station is found.
The station search depends on the
selected setting in the
Vehicle
submenu of the control system
(
page 188).
Pressing buttonkorj will
either start a frequency scan or select
the next stored radio station.
Selecting satellite radio station*
(USA only)
The satellite radio is treated as a radio
application.
Select satellite radio with the
corresponding soft key on the
COMAND system.1SAT mode
2Channel name or number
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired channel is found.Operating the CD player
Selecting CD track
Turn on the COMAND system and
select CD. Refer to separate COMAND
system operating instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the settings for the CD currently
being played appear in the multifunc-
tion display.
1Current CD (for CD changer*)
2Current track
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired track is selected.
iYou can only store new stations using the
corresponding feature on the radio. Refer to
separate COMAND system operating
instructions. You can also operate the radio in
the usual manner.
iAdditional optional satellite radio equipment
and a subscription to satellite radio service
provider are required for satellite radio opera-
tion. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for details and availability for
your vehicle.
For more information, refer to separate
COMAND system operating instructions.
iVehicles with CD changer*: To select a CD
from the magazine, press a number on the
COMAND system key pad located in the center
console.