2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 brake

497 Practical hints
Jump starting
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.
1Negative (-) terminal
2Positive (+) terminal 
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Set automatic transmission to
positionP.

Open the hood (
page 345).

Open cover of positive terminal 2.
1Negative terminal of discharged
battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals2 and 4
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery 4 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals1 and 3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery 3
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
!Never invert the terminal connections!

500 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:

With damage to the front axle

raise front axle


remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case


With damage to the rear axle

raise rear axle


tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels


With damage to the transfer case

remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles
Always install new self-locking nuts
when reinstalling flexible drive shaft.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn the
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in
usual manner – only the selected turn
signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

521 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore only use products tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
R 350
R 500
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmis-
sion
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case
0.53 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Front axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Power steering
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
-
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

523 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance Sys-
tem (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional in-
formation.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those express-
ly required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) recommendations for sched-
uled oil changes. Failure to do so could
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement inter-
val.

529 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 385)
ADS
(Adaptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Airmatic*
Automatically selects the optimum sus-
pension tuning and ride height for your
vehicle. Airmatic consists of two com-
ponents:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level control
Air pressure
(
page 385)Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(
page 385)
Bar
(page 386)
BAS
(Brake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 386)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator / warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 386)

536 IndexAir recirculation mode 224, 239
Activating 225, 239
Deactivating 226, 240
Air volume
Adjusting 222, 237
AIRMATIC* 269
Alarm
Audible 95, 106
Canceling 106
Visual 104
Alarm system
Anti-theft 104
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 481, 529
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 527
Antiglare
Automatic 209
Antilock brake system (ABS) 529
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 105
Canceling alarm 106
Disarming 106
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 104
Immobilizer 104
Tow-away alarm 106Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 296
Storage compartments 296
Ashtray
Front center console 303
Aspect ratio 385, 529
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 350
AUDIO menu 170
Selecting radio station 170
Selecting satellite radio* station 171
Audio system
CD mode 171
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 209
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 188
Automatic climate control*
Front defroster 238
Residual ventilation 243Automatic climate control* (3-zone) 230
Adjusting air distribution 236
Adjusting air volume 237
Air recirculation mode 239
Rear passenger compartment 244
Residual heat utilization 243
Setting the temperature 236
Automatic headlamp mode 148
Automatic lighting control
Activating 155
Deactivating 155
Automatic locking when driving 130
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission* 204
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 203
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 207
Gear ranges 202
Gear selector lever position 199, 200
Gear shifting malfunctions 207
Kickdown 203
Transmission fluid 350
Automatic transmission*
Automatic shift program 204

537 Index
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Bar 386, 529
BAS 99, 529
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 113, 119
Batteries, vehicle
Messages in display 430
Battery discharged
Jump starting 496
Battery, SmartKey 463
Battery, vehicle 487
Charging 495
Dis-/reconnecting 489
Removing/installing 489
Bead 386, 529
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 529
Replacing bulbs 466
Block heater (Canada only) 391
Blocking
Rear door window operation 93
Bottle opener 300
Brake assist system (BAS) 529
Brake fluid 523
Message in display 432Brake lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Brake pads
Message in display 430
Brakes 332
Warning lamp 405
Break-in period 330
Bulbs, replacing 465
Additional turn signal lamps 466
Backup lamps 466
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 466
Brake lamps 466
Front fog lamp 471
Front fog lamps* 466
Front lamps 466
Headlamps 466
License plate lamps 466, 474
Parking lamps 466
Rear fog lamps 472
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 472
Sidemarker lamps 466
Standing lamps 466
Tail lamp assemblies 472
Tail lamps 466
Turn signal lamps 466C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 529
California
Important notice 11
Call priority
Tele Aid* 318
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 193
Service indicator 393
CAN system 529
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 521
Card holder 300
Cargo compartment
Extending 283
Fuse box 504
Lamp 157
Tie-down rings 281
Cargo compartment cover blind* 288
Closing 288
Installing 289
Opening 288
Removing 288
Cargo tie-down rings 281
Carpets, cleaning 402

541 Index
Closing 248
Closing fully (Express-close) 250
Opening 248
Opening fully (Express-open) 250
Stopping 250
Synchronizing 251
Doors
Message in display 436
Opening from inside vehicle 121
Opening from outside 112
DOT 386, 530
Downhill driving
Cruise control 265
Drinking and driving 331
Drive sensibly-save fuel 331
Driving 50, 56
Abroad 339
In winter 337
Problems 62
Safety systems 97
Through standing water 338
Driving abroad 339
Driving off 333Driving safety systems
4-ETS 102
ABS 97
BAS 99
EBP 102
ESP
®
99
Driving systems 264
AIRMATIC* 269
Cruise control 264
Driving safety systems 97
Parktronic* 274
Driving tips 203
Accelerator position 203
Kickdown 203
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 132
Activating 189
EBP 102
Electrical fuses 503
Electrical system
Technical data 518
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETSEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 314
With Tele Aid* 313
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 207
Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 462
Locking the vehicle 460
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 462
Remote door unlock 319
Unlocking the vehicle 459
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 340
Emission control label 511
Ending
A call (telephone*) 195
Engine
Message in the display 433
Starting 53
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 54
Technical data 513
Turning off 66
Engine cleaning 397
Engine compartment
Hood 345
Main fuse box 504