2006 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 park assist

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 .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 20At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 28
Upper part ...................................... 28
Lower part ...................................... 29
Overhead control panel ........................ 30
Door control panel................................ 31Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Adjusting .............................................. 37
Seats .............................................. 37
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 41
Driving .................................................. 43
Fastening the seat belt ................... 43
Starting the engine ......................... 48
Switching on headlamps ................. 51
Turn signals .................................... 52
Windshield wipers ........................... 53
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 54
Problems while driving.................... 55
Parking and locking .............................. 57
Parking brake ................................. 57
Switching off headlamps................. 58
Turning off engine ........................... 58

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 149
Gear selector lever position ......... 151
Driving tips ................................... 153
Gear ranges ................................. 154
One-touch gearshifting................. 155
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 156
Transfer case ..................................... 157
Transfer case position .................. 157
Switching transfer case................ 157
Differential locks ............................... 159
A few words about differentials
and differential locks.................... 160
Switching differential locks
on and off..................................... 161
Good visibility .................................... 163
Rear view mirrors ......................... 163
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 165
Sun visors .................................... 165
Rear window defroster ................. 166Climate control ................................... 168
Setting the temperature................ 170
Adjusting air distribution
and volume ................................... 171
Defrosting ..................................... 172
Air recirculation ............................ 172
Residual engine heat utilization .... 173
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 173
Air conditioning............................. 174
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 174
Power windows .................................. 175
Opening and closing the windows. 175
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 178
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 178
Driving systems .................................. 181
Cruise control ............................... 181
Rear Parking Assist* ..................... 184Loading .............................................. 187
Roof rack ...................................... 187
Cargo compartment cover ............ 187
Enlarged cargo compartment ....... 188
Split rear seat bench .................... 188
Partition net* (MB Accessory) ...... 189
Loading instructions ..................... 192
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 193
Useful features ................................... 194
Storage compartments ................. 194
Ashtrays........................................ 198
Cigarette lighter ............................ 199
Electrical outlet............................. 200
Floormats ..................................... 201
Telephone* ................................... 201
Tele Aid ......................................... 202
Garage door opener ...................... 210
Heated steering wheel .................. 215

Contents
Operation......................................... 217
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 218
Driving instructions ............................ 220
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 220
Drinking and driving ..................... 220
Pedals .......................................... 220
Power assistance ......................... 221
Brakes .......................................... 221
Driving off..................................... 222
Parking ......................................... 222
Tires ............................................. 223
Hydroplaning ................................ 224
Tire traction .................................. 224
Tire speed rating .......................... 225
Winter driving instructions ........... 225
Standing water ............................. 226
Passenger compartment .............. 227
Off-road driving ............................ 227
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 235
Driving abroad .............................. 236
Catalytic converter ....................... 236
Emission control........................... 237
Coolant temperature .................... 238At the gas station .............................. 239
Refueling ...................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 240
Engine compartment ......................... 242
Hood ............................................ 242
Engine oil ..................................... 243
Transmission fluid level ................ 248
Coolant level ................................ 248
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 249
Battery ............................................... 251
Tires and wheels ................................ 252
Important guidelines .................... 252
Tire care and maintenance ........... 253
Direction of rotation ..................... 255
Loading the vehicle ...................... 255
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 260
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Tire labeling.................................. 263
Load identification ....................... 267
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 268
Maximum tire load ....................... 269Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 270
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 271
Tire ply material ........................... 273
Tire and loading terminology ........ 273
Rotating tires ............................... 276
Winter driving .................................... 278
Winter tires .................................. 278
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 279
Snow chains................................. 279
Maintenance...................................... 280
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 281
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 282
Vehicle care....................................... 283
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 283

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release button
Pull lever1 up as many notches as
possible.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.

Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

181 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.

Rear Parking Assist*, which assists
your parking maneuvers.
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP,
4-ETS, and EBB driving systems, see “Driv-
ing and safety systems” (
page 80).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 23).
i
The cruise control should not be acti-
vated during-off road driving.
Warning!G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

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.