2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 brake

264 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

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


Airmatic* adjusts the vehicle suspen-
sion characteristics automatically and
controls the vehicle level.


Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, EBP,
4-ETS and ESP
® driving systems, see “Driv-
ing safety systems” (
page 97).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 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 on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the 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 the cruise control when driv-
ing 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.

265 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph or 5 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h or
10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph or 5 mph
increments (Canada: 1 km/h or
10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resuming to last set speedSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal is depressed automatically to
do this.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a con-
venience system designed to assist the driv-
er during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe brake operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
- your foot could become caught.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control
may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set
speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control
maintains the set speed with active
braking action. In addition, on longer
downhill grades the automatic trans-
mission will automatically downshift.

266 Controls in detailDriving systemsCanceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 265).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically when

you step on the brake pedal


you depress the parking brake
pedal
The cruise control also switches off au-
tomatically when


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)


the ESP
® is in operation or switched
off with the ESP
® switch
(
page 101)


you set the automatic transmission
toN while driving
An acoustic warning sounds and the
message
Cruise control off
appears
in the multifunction display.
!Setting the automatic transmission
toN while driving cancels the cruise
control. However, the automatic trans-
mission should not be set toN while
driving except to coast when the vehi-
cle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate the cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), the
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.

267 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the speed in two stages.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Lift the cruise control lever to the resis-
tance point in direction of arrow1
(page 265) and hold it up until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments

Briefly lift the cruise control lever past
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 265).
The vehicle speed increases in incre-
ments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km / h).
Setting a lower speed
You can reduce the speed in two stages.
iThe set value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each
time you lift the cruise control lever to
the resistance point.
Warning!
G
You can increase the vehicle speed in 5 mph
(Canada 10 km/h) increments. When using
this feature, keep in mind that it may take a
brief moment until the vehicle has reached
the set speed.
Increase the vehicle speed to a value that
the prevailing road conditions permit. Other-
wise, sudden and unexpected acceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.iThe set value is increased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each
time you lift the cruise control lever
past the resistance point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle
will accelerate. Keep in mind that it
may take a brief moment until the vehi-
cle has reached the set speed.iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brake system will au-
tomatically brake the vehicle if the en-
gine’s braking power does not brake
the vehicle sufficiently.

274 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during
parking maneuvers. It visually and audibly
indicates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, and set the
automatic transmission to positionD,R,
orN.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds, the Parktronic system turns on
again.The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
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 road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 399).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. Other-
wise you run the risk of causing injury.

275 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 damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 399).
Front sensors
Rear sensors
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 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 Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and dam-
age to your vehicle or the object may
result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside
sources (e.g. working jackhammers,
car wash or the air brakes of trucks)
may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.

277 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
seventh distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionP or the
parking brake is set.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionD, P, or
the parking brake is set.Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the
upper part of the center console.
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lampSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.iThe Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the
ignition (
page 38).

278 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.

Switch off the ignition (
page 38).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 399).

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.