2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 Owner's Manual

184 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking Assist*
The Rear Parking Assist system is an elec-
tronic aid designed to assist the driver dur-
ing parking maneuvers. It visually and
audibly indicates the relative distance be-
tween the rear of the vehicle and an obsta-
cle.
The Rear Parking Assist system is auto-
matically activated when you switch on the
ignition and shift the gear selector lever to
positionR.The Rear Parking Assist system monitors
the rear area of your vehicle by means of
four sensors in the rear bumper.
1Sensors
Warning!G
Rear Parking Assist (rear Parktronic) is a
supplemental system. It is not intended to,
nor does it replace, the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and
other critical maneuvers always rests with
the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or
street curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.
The operational function of the Rear Parking
Assist can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 286).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

185 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow, and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage them.Minimum distance
The minimum distance between the sen-
sors and an obstacle is approximately
20 in (50 cm). If you encounter an obstacle
in this range, all the warning lamps come
on and you hear a warning signal. If the ob-
stacle is closer than the minimum dis-
tance, the actual distance may no longer
be indicated by the system. Centerapprox. 59.1 in (150 cm)
Cornersapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
!
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Rear
Parking Assist system will not detect
such objects at close range and dam-
age to your vehicle or the object may
result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the
Rear Parking Assist system.

186 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicator
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator is located
next to the tailgate.
Warning indicator
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance. When the sixth segment
lights, you have reached the minimum dis-
tance.An intermittent acoustic warning will
sound when the first yellow segment
comes on. This signal quickens with each
additional segment lit. When all segments
illuminate, the acoustic warning becomes
a constant signal. The signal is canceled
when the gear selector lever is placed in
position D or P.
Rear Parking Assist malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Rear Parking
Assist system if:

a low warning tone sounds while the
vehicle is reversing
The Rear Parking Assist sensors are
dirty or malfunctioning.
Clean the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem sensors (
page 286).
Switch on the ignition again.

no segments come on and no warning
sounds
The Rear Parking Assist is malfunction-
ing.
Have the Rear Parking Assist sys-
tem checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Malfunction may also be caused by inter-
ference from other radio or ultrasonic sig-
nals.
Check the Rear Parking Assist opera-
tion at another location to rule out in-
terference from outside radio or
ultrasonic signals.

187 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
This vehicle is not intended to carry items
on its roof. Thus roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices must not be used.Cargo compartment cover
1Rear seat bench cover
2Tailgate cover
Pull cover1 out. Hook it into the
mountings on the rear seat bench.
Pull cover2 out. Hook it into the
mountings to the left and right of the
tailgate.
Rolling up the cover
Grip the cover strap and remove it from
the mountings on both sides.
Guide it slowly back into place.Removing and installing the cover
Removing the cover
Open latch1 on right and left side in
direction of arrow.
Pull cover2 out upwards.
Installing the cover
Place cover into recesses.
Press right and left sides of cover down
until it locks into place.
Warning!G
Do not load items on the roof. It may cause
instability during some maneuvers which
could result in an accident.

188 Controls in detail
Loading
Enlarged cargo compartment
The rear seat bench can be folded and low-
ered to increase the cargo compartment.
The left, right or both seat backrests sec-
tions may folded down according to need.
For more information, see “Split rear seat
bench” (
page 188).
Split rear seat bench
1Lever for seat backrest sections
2Lever for seat bench sections
The rear seat bench can be folded and low-
ered to enlarge the cargo compartment.
The left, right or both seat backrest sec-
tions may be folded down as required.
Warning!G
Always lock seat backrest in its upright po-
sition when rear seat bench is occupied by
passengers, or cargo is being carried behind
the seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects flying in the occupant area during a
collision or sudden maneuver, always use
partition net when transporting cargo
(
page 189).
Warning!G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rest are locked into place could result in an
increased chance of injury in an accident.
Never place hands under seat or near any
moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.
For safety reasons, the rear seat bench
must only be adjusted when the vehicle is
stationary.
Never ride vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
!
Before folding the seat backrest for-
ward and the rear seat bench down, be
sure that all containers in the rear cup
holder are removed.

189 Controls in detail
Loading
Folding seat backrest forward
Remove the head restraints
(
page 102).
Pull release lever1 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat backrest forward un-
til it locks in place.
Folding seat bench forward
Fold seat backrest forward.
Pull release lever2 in direction of ar-
row and fold seat bench forward to-
gether with the seat backrest.Returning seat bench and seat back-
rest to sitting position
Fold up seat bench until it locks in
place.
Pull release lever1 and raise seat
backrest until it locks in place.
Check to make sure the seat is locked
by pushing and pulling on the seat
backrest.
Partition net* (MB Accessory)
Use of the partition net is a particularly im-
portant safety factor when the vehicle is
loaded higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects.
While the partition net will help protect you
from smaller objects, it cannot prevent the
movement of large, heavier objects into
the passenger area in an accident. Such
items must be properly secured using the
cargo tie-down rings in the cargo compart-
ment floor.
The partition net can be installed behind
the seat backrests of the rear seat bench,
or behind the front seats if the rear seat
bench is folded down.
Warning!G
Failure to assure that seats and seat back-
rests are locked into place could result in an
increased chance of injury in an accident.
i
Installation can be performed by open-
ing the rear doors.

190 Controls in detail
Loading
Installation behind rear seat bench
1Partition net
2Mounting
Fold the rear seat bench forward
(
page 188).
Hook partition net1 in mountings2
on both sides.3Lift tensioner
4Tie down
Lift tensioner3 on tie downs4 must
point in the direction of the arrow.5Hook
6Ring
Set the length of the tie downs4 and
lift tensioner3 to the rings6.
Insert tie down hooks5 in rings6.
Pull on loose ends of tie downs until net
is slightly tensioned.
Fold up seat bench until it locks in
place.
The partition net will be tightened by
the rear seat bench cushion.
After driving a short period, check the ten-
sion of the partition net, retighten if neces-
sary.
i
This cannot be done by folding the rear
seat backrest forward.

191 Controls in detail
Loading
Installation behind front seats
1Partition net
2Mounting
Fold rear seat bench fully forward
(
page 188).
Engage partition net1 in
mountings2.3Lift tensioner
4Tie down
5Hook
6Ring
Lift tensioner3 must point in the direc-
tion of the cargo compartment.
Set the length of tie downs4 and lift
tensioner3 to the rings6.
Insert tie down hooks5 in rings6.
Pull loose ends of tie downs4 until
net is tight.
After driving a short-distance, check the
tension of the partition net, retighten if
necessary.Removing partition net
Lift tensioner upward to a horizontal
position to release tensioning of strap.
Disengage tie down hooks from rings.
Remove partition net from mountings.
Storing partition net
Roll up partition net and secure it.
Store partition net behind rear seat
bench.