2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 brake

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Door control panel................................ 34
Getting started................................... 35
Unlocking ............................................. 36
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 36
Unlocking with Keyless-Go* ........... 37
Starter switch positions .................. 38
Adjusting .............................................. 42
Seats .............................................. 42
Steering wheel ................................ 45
Mirrors ............................................ 47
Driving .................................................. 50
Fastening the seat belts ................. 50
Starting the engine ......................... 53
Parking brake ................................. 56
Driving ............................................ 56
Switching on headlamps ................. 58
Turn signals .................................... 58
Windshield wipers ........................... 59
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 61
Problems while driving.................... 62
Parking and locking .............................. 64
Parking brake ................................. 65
Switching off headlamps................. 65
Turning off the engine..................... 66
Releasing seat belts........................ 67
Locking ........................................... 67

ContentsLoading .............................................. 279
Roof rack* .................................... 279
Loading instructions ..................... 280
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 281
Hooks ........................................... 282
Expanding cargo compartment .... 283
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 288
Partition net* ............................... 290
Useful features .................................. 294
Storage compartments................. 294
Parcel nets ................................... 298
Cup holders .................................. 299
Ashtrays* ..................................... 302
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 305
Power outlets ............................... 306
Rear center console* ................... 308
Telephone*................................... 310
Tele Aid* ...................................... 311
Garage door opener* ................... 320
Compass ...................................... 327
Floormats* ................................... 328
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 328
Operation......................................... 329
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 330
Driving instructions............................ 331
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 331
Drinking and driving ..................... 331
Pedals .......................................... 331
Power assistance ......................... 331
Brakes .......................................... 332
Driving off .................................... 333
Parking ......................................... 334
Tires ............................................. 334
Hydroplaning ................................ 335
Tire traction.................................. 335
Tire speed rating .......................... 336
Winter driving instructions ........... 337
Standing water ............................. 338
Passenger compartment .............. 338
Driving abroad.............................. 339
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 339
Catalytic converter ....................... 340
Emission control .......................... 340
Coolant temperature .................... 341At the gas station .............................. 342
Refueling ...................................... 342
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 343
Engine compartment ......................... 345
Hood ............................................ 345
Engine oil ..................................... 346
Transmission fluid level................ 350
Coolant level ................................ 351
Windshield / rear window washer
system and headlamp cleaning
system* ....................................... 352
Tires and wheels................................ 353
Important guidelines .................... 353
Tire care and maintenance........... 354
Direction of rotation..................... 356
Loading the vehicle ...................... 356
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 363
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 365
Tire labeling ................................. 375
Load identification ....................... 380
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 380
Maximum tire load ....................... 382
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 382

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 507
Parts service ...................................... 508
Warranty coverage ............................. 509
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 509
Identification labels............................ 510
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 512
Engine ................................................ 513
Rims and tires .................................... 514
Same size tires ............................. 516
Spare wheel (collapsible tire) ....... 517
Electrical system................................ 518
Main Dimensions ............................... 519
Weights .............................................. 520Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 521
Capacities .................................... 521
Engine oils.................................... 523
Engine oil additives ...................... 523
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 523
Brake fluid .................................... 523
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 524
Fuel requirements ........................ 524
Gasoline additives ........................ 525
Coolants....................................... 525
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 528
Technical terms............................... 529Index................................................. 535

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
265
2
Instrument cluster
24
3
Multifunction steering
wheel
28
4
Horn
5
Steering wheel gearshift
buttons
206
6
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
53
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicators
276
8
Overhead control panel
31
9
Glove box release
Glove box lock
294
295
Item
Page
a
Glove box
294
b
Electrical outlet
307
c
Center console
29
d
Starter switch
38
e
Steering wheel adjustment,
manual
45
f
Steering wheel adjustment,
electrical*
46
g
Hood lock release
345
h
Parking brake pedal
65
j
Remote tailgate switch
123
Item
Page
k
Parking brake release
56
l
Headlamp washer switch*
208
m
Exterior lamp switch
147
n
Door control panel
34
o
Combination switch

Turn signals
58


Windshield wipers
59


High beam
58


Rear window wiper
61

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
To dim instrument cluster
illumination
158
3
Reset button
158
4
To brighten instrument clus-
ter illumination
158
5
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
6
Clock
Item
Page
7
Speedometer with:-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
404
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
405
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
405
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)
warning lamp
409
Item
Page
’Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp
1
lDistance warning
lamp
1
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale*
412
1Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when
the ignition is on. It should go out when the engine
is running.

39 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a re-
movable KEYLESS-GO start / stop button.
With the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
inserted and the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO present in the vehicle, press-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

without the brake pedal depressed
corresponds to the various starter
switch positions (
page 40)


with the brake pedal firmly depressed
will start the engine (
page 54)
If you wish or should there be a need to in-
sert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in the
starter switch, the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button can be easily removed by pulling it
out of the starter switch.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 487).


Get a jump start (
page 496).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge or a completely discharged bat-
tery, always remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch when the engine is
not in operation.
iThe KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
does not need to be removed from the
starter switch when you leave the vehi-
cle. However, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you
when you leave the vehicle. As long as
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in
the vehicle, the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tems can be switched on or the engine
can be started using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button.

40 Getting startedUnlocking1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
2Starter switchKEYLESS-GO start / stop button3USA only
4Canada onlyThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.

Insert KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 into starter switch 2 (if not
inserted already).

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.

Do not depress the brake pedal.
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or Position 2)

Press the KEYLESS-GO start / stop but-
ton twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 404).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once more, the ignition (position2)
is switched on


twice more, the power supply is
again switched off

43 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
1 Head restraint height*
2Seat cushion tilt
3Seat height
4Backrest tilt
5 Seat fore and aft adjustment

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
or

Open the respective door (vehicles
with memory function*).
The seat can be adjusted with the re-
spective door opened.
or

Open a front door (vehicles without
memory function*).
The seat can be adjusted within
3 minutes after either front door has
been opened.Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in direction of arrow5.
Adjust the seat to a comfortable seat-
ing position that still allows you to
reach the accelerator/brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far to
the rear as possible, consistent with
ability to properly operate controls.
!When adjusting the seat backrest tilt
and head restraint height, make sure
the sun visor is folded up (
page 212).
If the head restraint is in the uppermost
position, it could hit and damage the
sun visor.
iThe memory function* (
page 144)
lets you store the settings for the seat
position together with the settings for
the steering wheel column and the ex-
terior rear view mirrors.
!When moving the seat, make sure
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seat. Otherwise you could
damage the seat.