2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 wipers

224 Controls in detailClimate controlWindshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 59).

Press button 0(
page 218).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The climate control switches automatically
to the following functions:


maximum blower speed and heating
power


air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)


the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
If the automatic air distribution is switched
off:

Press air distribution button 9 or a
(page 218).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 226) is activated, or
press button0.

238 Controls in detail3-zone automatic climate control*Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, such as when it is iced up. You
can also use it to defog the windshield and
side windows.
Activating
Press button0 (
page 232).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The air conditioning switches to the follow-
ing functions automatically:


maximum blower speed and heating
power


air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)


the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
Deactivating

Press button0 (
page 232).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 59).

Press buttonU (
page 232).
AUTO appears in the display of control
panele (
page 232). Air volume and
air distribution are controlled separate-
ly for each zone.
If the automatic air distribution and air vol-
ume are switched off:

Press buttons8 and Y
(page 232).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are
clear again.
When the defrost setting has been se-
lected, only the rear window defroster
can be switched on. No other settings
are possible.
iTo switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 232).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

398 OperationVehicle careHand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. 
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
!If you want the gear position to remain
inN (for example when the vehicle is
pulled through a car wash)


do not remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*


do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button*
and open the driver’s door
Otherwise, the transmission will shift
toP and lock the wheels, preventing
the vehicle from being pulled through a
car wash.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to0 (
page 59). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 400). This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure
that the mirrors are folded out. Other-
wise they may vibrate.

400 OperationVehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Fold wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
!Do not apply strong pressure to the
sensor covers. Applying strong pres-
sure may damage the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on main-
taining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.!To prevent scratches, never apply
strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty
sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status
0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch or
pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!To clean the window interior, do not
use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or
cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the inside of the front, rear or
side windows with hard objects such as
an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.

475 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Front wiper blades Removing

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (
page 39).

Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.1Wiper blade
2Tab
3Wiper arm

Press tabs2 together.

Tilt wiper blade 1 away from wiper
arm 3.

Take off wiper blade 1 in direction of
arrow.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are proper-
ly installed. Improperly installed wiper
blades may cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove the SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.

476 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesInstalling
1Wiper blade
2Attachment
3Guide tab
4Opening
With guide tab 3 sliding into opening
4, place wiper blade 1 onto wiper
arm in direction of arrow.

Fold wiper blade 1 towards wiper
arm.
Tabs 2 must engage into both recess-
es of attachment 2.

Check whether the wiper blade is
securely fastened.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield.
Make sure to hold on to the wiper when
folding the wiper arm back.
Rear wiper bladeWarning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.!Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the rear window.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the rear window glass without a wiper
blade inserted.

535 Index
A
ABS 97, 529
ABS control 97
Malfunction indicator lamp 404
Messages in display 418
Warning lamp 404
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 203
Accessory weight 385, 529
Accident
In case of 63
Activating
Air circulation mode 242
Air conditioning (cooling) 226
Air recirculation mode 225, 239
Anti-theft alarm system 105
Central locking (control system) 188
Defrosting 223
Easy-entry/exit feature* 189
Electric air pump 483
ESP
®
102
Exterior headlamps 58
Hazard warning flasher 154
Headlamps 58
High beams 151
Ignition 38Immobilizer 66, 104
Rear window defroster 215
Rear window wiper 62
Residual heat 243
Residual heat* 228
Seat heating* 142
Tow-away alarm 107
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 276
Windshield wipers 59
Adding
Coolant 351
Engine oil 349
Additional turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Adjusting 42
Air distribution 222, 236
Air volume 222, 237
Backrest tilt 44
Exterior rear view mirror 48
Head restraint height 44
Head restraint tilt 45
Instrument cluster illumination 158
Interior rear view mirror 48
Mirrors 47
Multicontour seat* 136
Seat cushion depth 136Seat cushion tilt 44
Seat fore and aft adjustment 43
Seat height 44
Seats 42
Steering column height 47
Steering wheel 45
Adjusting steering column in or out 47
Adjusting steering column up or down 47
Air bags 71
Children 72
Front 75
Passenger 75
Safety guidelines 74
Side impact 76
Window curtain 76
Air conditioning
Turning off 226
Turning on 226
Air conditioning refrigerant 523
Air distribution
Adjusting 222, 236
Air pressure 385, 529
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 483

539 Index
Closing the tailgate from the inside
electrically* 124
Closing the tailgate from the outside (vehi-
cles without KEYLESS-GO*) 126
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof*
In an emergency 462
Cockpit 22, 529
Cold tire inflation pressure 386, 529
Collapsible tire 457, 530
Collapsible wheel chock 457
Combination switch
High beam flasher 58
Turn signals 58
Windshield wipers 59
Compass 186, 327
Adjustment 186
Calibration 187
Setting the compass zone 186
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 339Control system 530
AUDIO menu 170
Convenience submenu 189
Display digital speedometer 169
Functions 165
Instrument cluster submenu 178,
180
Lighting submenu 182
Malfunction memory menu 173
Menus 164, 165
Selecting radio system 170
Selecting satellite radio* system 171
Settings menu 174
Standard display menu 168
Submenus 163, 165
TEL* menu 194
Trip computer menu 192
Vehicle submenu 186
Convenience submenu 189
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 189Coolant 351, 525
Adding 351
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 526
Checking level 351
Messages in display 433, 436
Temperature 341
Coolant level
Checking 351
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 152
Cruise control 264, 530
Canceling 266
Driving downhill 265
Driving uphill 265
Setting current speed 265
Setting speeds 269
Cruise control lever 264
Cup holder
Front center console 299
In rear center console 301
Cup holders 299
Cleaning 401
Curb weight 386, 530
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 529