2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 ECU

150 Controls in detailLightingUSA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime
running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 182).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to positionC
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 58).
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (page 183) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 184).Fog lamps
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromU toB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps
on. Fog lamps should only be used in
conjunction with low beam headlamps.
Consult your State or Province Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding permis-
sible lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with
the exterior lamp switch in
positionU. For switching on the fog
lamps, turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB first.

177 Controls in detail
Control system
The table below shows what settings can
be changed within the various menus.
Detailed instructions on making individual
settings can be found on the following
pages.INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TIME/DATE
LIGHTING
VEHICLE
CONVENIENCE
Selecting speedometer display
mode
Setting the time
(hours)
Setting daytime running
lamp mode (USA only)
Calling up the compass
Activating
easy-entry/exit feature*
Selecting language
Setting the time
(minutes)
Setting locator lighting
Compass adjustment
Setting parking position
for exterior rear view
mirror
Selecting display (digital
speedometer or outside
temperature) for status indicator
Setting the date
(month)
Setting night security
illumination
Compass calibration
Setting fold-in function
for exterior rear view
mirrors
Setting the date
(day)
Setting interior lighting
delayed shut-off
Setting which display to
appear with ignition
switched off
Setting the date
(year)
Setting automatic
lockingLimiting opening height
of tailgate*

182 Controls in detailControl systemLighting submenu
Access the
Lighting
submenu via the
Settings
menu. Use the
Lighting
submenu to change the lamp and lighting
settings on your vehicle.
The following functions are available:Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)

Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting

submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Lamp circuit
headlamp
appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press buttonæ orç to select
manual operation (
manual
) or daytime
running lamp mode (
constant
).
With daytime running lamp mode activated
and the exterior lamp switch at
positionM orU, the low beam
headlamps are switched on when the
engine is running.
Function
Page
Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)
182
Setting locator lighting
183
Setting night security
illumination
184
Setting interior lighting delayed
shut-off
185
iThis function is not available in
countries where the daytime running
lamp mode is mandatory and therefore
in a constant mode.

184 Controls in detailControl systemSetting night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off)
Use this function to set whether and for
how long you would like the exterior lamps
to remain on during darkness after exiting
the vehicle and the doors closed.
With the delayed shut-off feature activated
and the exterior lamp switch in
positionU before the engine is turned
off, the following lamps will switch on
when the engine is turned off:

Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps


Front fog lamps*
If after turning off the engine you do not
open a door, the lamps will switch off auto-
matically after 60 seconds.

Move the selection marker with
buttonæ orç to the
Lighting

submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Headlmp. delayed
shut-off
appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press buttonæ orç to select
the desired lamp-on period.
You can select:

0 sec.
, the delayed shut-off feature
is deactivated.


15 sec.
, 30 sec.
, 45 sec.
or
60 sec.
, select the desired lamp-on
period.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU (
page 147) before
turning off the engine.
The headlamps delayed shut-off
feature is activated.

200 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionWith drive positionD selected, you can use
the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons (
page 206) to influence trans-
mission shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
Transmission positions
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Effect
ì
Park position
Shift into park positionP only
when vehicle is stopped. The
park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehi-
cle is parked. Rather, the driver
should always set the parking
brake in addition to shifting into
park positionP to secure the
vehicle.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the automatic
transmission could remain
locked in park positionP. 
Have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!SmartKey:
If you turn off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, the transmis-
sion will shift to park positionP auto-
matically. Keep in mind that turning off
the engine with the SmartKey alone will
not automatically shift the transmis-
sion to P. Only when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch, will
the transmission automatically shift
toP.
KEYLESS-GO*:
If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door, the transmis-
sion will shift to park positionP
automatically. Keep in mind that
turning off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone
will not automatically shift the trans-
mission to P. Only when the driver’s
door is opened, will the transmission
automatically shift to P.

258 Controls in detailPower tilt/sliding sunroof*Synchronizing
The tilt/sliding sunroof must be
synchronized

after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged


after the tilt/sliding sunroof has been
closed manually (
page 462)


after a malfunction


if the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
smoothly

Remove the fuse securing the
tilt/sliding sunroof from the fuse box
(page 503).

Reinsert the fuse in the main box.

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).

Press and hold the sunroof switch in
the direction of arrow3 (
page 255)
until the tilt/sliding sunroof is fully
raised at the rear.

Hold the sunroof switch in the direction
of arrow3 for approximately
1 second.

Open the tilt/sliding sunroof using the
Express-open feature (
page 257).
If the tilt/sliding sunroof opens com-
pletely, it is synchronized.
If the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
completely:

Repeat the above steps.
iFor information on which fuse box con-
tains the fuse for the power tilt/sliding
sunroof, see the fuse chart provided
with the vehicle tool kit (
page 455).

263 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*

Switch off the ignition (
page 38) and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:

Switch off the ignition (
page 39).

Open the driver’s door (this puts the
starter switch in position 0, same as
with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch). The driver’s door then
can be closed again.

Remove the fuse securing the
tilt/sliding panel from the fuse box
(page 504).

Reinsert the fuse in the fuse box.

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).

Push and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 260) un-
til the roller sunblinds are fully closed.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 260) for
approximately 1 second.

Pull and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 (
page 260) un-
til the roller sunblinds are fully opened.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 (
page 260) for
approximately 1 second.

Press and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 (
page 260) un-
til the tilt/sliding panel is fully raised at
the rear.

Push and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 260) un-
til the tilt/sliding panel is fully closed.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 (
page 260) for
approximately 1 second.

Open the tilt/sliding panel using the
Express-open feature (
page 262).
If the tilt/sliding panel opens com-
pletely, the roof is synchronized.
If the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
completely:

Repeat the above steps.
iFor information on which fuse box con-
tains the fuse for the power tilt/sliding
panel, see the fuse chart provided with
the vehicle tool kit (
page 455).

280 Controls in detailLoadingLoading instructionsThe gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers, and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard(s) located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 510). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-
cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 510).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 357).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.