2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 reAR AC

122 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Opening the tailgate
Opening the tailgate from the outside
A minimum height clearance of 7.2 ft
(2.20 m) is required to open the tailgate.
The handle is located above the rear
license plate recess.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*:
The vehicle must be unlocked (
page 37).

Pull on the handle.
The tailgate opens slightly.

Pull tailgate upwards to open.The tailgate can also be opened using the
SmartKey (
page 114).
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, opening a
door from the inside will trigger the
anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


Press theŒ or ‹button on
the SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*


Grasp an outside door handle.


Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 40).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be inside the vehicle.
!Vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system*:
To stop the opening procedure, press
buttonŠ on the SmartKey. The tail-
gate stops moving.
The tailgate swings open upwards auto-
matically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance.iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the tailgate will lock automati-
cally after closing it (
page 124). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.

124 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Limiting opening height of tailgate*
Vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system*:
The tailgate opening height can be limited
when transporting goods on a roof rack*
(e.g. presence of an MB sport luggage con-
tainer*). When activated, the tailgate
opens to approximately 6.4 ft (1.95 m).
Activate the limiting opening height of
tailgate using the control system
(page 189).
Closing the tailgate
Closing the tailgate from the inside
electrically*
In vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system* you can close the tailgate from
the inside using the remote tailgate switch.
Press remote tailgate switch1
(page 123) until tailgate begins to
close.
The tailgate closes. The indicator lamp
in the remote tailgate switch goes out.
While the tailgate is closing an acoustic
signal sounds.
To interrupt the closing procedure:

Press or pull remote tailgate switch1
(page 123).
Warning!
G
Maintain sight of the area around the rear of
the vehicle while operating the tailgate with
the door-mounted remote tailgate switch or
with the Šbutton on the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*. Monitor the
opening procedure carefully to make sure
no one is in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the opening procedure, press or
pull the door-mounted remote tailgate
switch or press the Šbutton on the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.!The tailgate swings open upwards auto-
matically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance. To stop
the opening procedure, press or pull
remote tailgate switch1. The tailgate
stops moving.
iThe tailgate can also be opened using
theŠ button on the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(page 114).


125 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
If the tailgate comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high) the closing procedure
is stopped and the tailgate reopens.Closing the tailgate from the outside
manually
1Handle

Lower tailgate by pulling firmly on
handle1.

Close tailgate with hands placed flat on
it.
Warning!
G
Maintain sight of the area around the rear of
the vehicle while operating the tailgate with
the door mounted switch. Monitor the
closing procedure carefully to make sure no
one is in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the closing procedure, press or
pull the door mounted remote tailgate
switch.
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 remote tailgate switch can be operated.
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 serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the tailgate closed as,
among other dangers such as blocked
visibility, exhaust fumes may enter the
vehicle interior.


132 Controls in detailSeatsFor information on seat adjustment, see
the “Getting started” section (
page 43).
For more information on seats, see “Load-
ing” (
page 279).
Easy-entry/exit feature*
Easy-entry/exit feature for driver’s
seat
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
activated or deactivated in the Convenience
submenu of the control sys-
tem (
page 189).When exiting the vehicle, with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated and
depending on your selection, the steering
wheel tilts upwards and/or the driver’s
seat moves a few inches to the rear when
you


remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or


open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position
0or1(
page 38) or the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position1 (page 40)
Warning!
G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel and driver’s seat when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
To cancel seat/steering wheel movement,
do one of the following:

Press seat adjustment switch
(page 43).


Move steering column stalk*
(page 46).


Press memory buttonM* (
page 145).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!Do not activate the easy-entry/exit fea-
ture if the seat backrest is in an exces-
sively reclined position. Doing so could
cause damage to the driver’s seat or
left rear seat.
Move the seat backrest to an upright
position first.

133 Controls in detailSeats
When entering the vehicle, with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated, the
steering wheel or, depending on your se-
lection, the steering wheel and driver’s
seat will return to their last set memory po-
sition or a factory-set maximum forward
position when you

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on


insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 40) once
with the driver’s door closed
iIf the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position,
the steering wheel will no longer be
able to move upward when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
If the current seat position falls into a
factory-set position range and the sys-
tem recognizes the current seat posi-
tion to be rearward enough for easy
entry and exit, the driver’s seat will not
move to the rear when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
iFor safety reasons, the driver’s seat will
not return to its last set position with
the easy-entry/exit feature activated if
the system recognizes the last set posi-
tion as an extreme forward position. In-
stead, the driver’s seat will remain at or
move to a factory-set maximum for-
ward position. To again fully return the
driver’s seat to your last set position or
to memory position, adjust the seat to
the desired position or press and hold
the respective memory position button
(page 145).
iVehicles with memory function*:
The steering wheel and seat position is
stored into memory when you

switch off the ignition (
page 38)


allocate the current position steer-
ing wheel and seat position to a cer-
tain memory position button
(page 145)

135 Controls in detailSeats
Easy-exit feature for third-row seats
The easy-exit strap is located on the rear of
the second-row seat base.
1Easy-exit strap
To exit the vehicle when seated on a
third-row seat, pull up and hold
easy-exit strap 1.
The second-row seat backrest folds
down.

Push second-row seat forward a far as
it will go.
For information on how to fold down the
second-row seats completely, see “Folding
second-row seats” (
page 285).Returning seats to their original positionThe second-row seats have red markings
on the seat base that indicate when a
second-row seat is not properly locked.

When the red marking on the seat base
is visible, push seat backrest back until
the seat audibly engages.
With the seat properly locked in posi-
tion, you will not see the red marking
on the seat base.
Warning
G
Make sure all seats are properly locked in
position before driving off. Do not drive with
seats not properly locked.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
not properly locked as this can be danger-
ous. The seat could move forward and the
seat backrest could fold. You could slide un-
der the seat belt during braking, vehicle ma-
neuvers, or in an accident. If you slide under
it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen
or neck. That could cause serious or even fa-
tal injuries.
The seat backrest and seat belt provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in a nearly
upright position and the belt is properly po-
sitioned on the body.

137 Controls in detailSeats
Rear seats Rear seat adjustmentFore and aft adjustment
(second-row seats only)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the front of each seat base.
1Adjustment handle

Pull up handle 1 in direction of arrow
and hold it there.

Move seat to the desired position.

Release handle 1.
The seat must audibly engage.
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. Re-
gardless 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 recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, 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.
Warning!
G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under 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.

138 Controls in detailSeatsSeat backrest tilt (second-row seats)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the rear of each seat base.
1Adjustment handle
While seated, pull handle 1 in direc-
tion of arrow to resistance point and
hold it there.

To move seat backrest back, lean light-
ly against backrest.

To move seat backrest forward, lean
forward with handle 1 pulled and held
at resistance point.
The seat backrest will move forward
against your back.

Release handle 1 when the seat back-
rest has reached the desired position.
To make sure the seat backrest has en-
gaged, lean firmly against the backrest.Seat backrest tilt (third-row seats)
The handles for adjusting the seats are
located on the outer side of each seat
backrest.
1Adjustment handle

While seated, pull handle 1 in direc-
tion of arrow and hold it there.