2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 parking 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

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

56 Getting startedDrivingParking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle2.
The warning lamp; (USA only) or
3(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.

Shift automatic transmission toD orR
(page 198).

Release the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.iShifting from gear positionP to posi-
tion R, N, orD is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed. Without the
brake pedal depressed, the gear selec-
tor lever can be moved, but the parking
pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.

57 Getting started
Driving

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 331).
iThe automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 188).
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake

appears in the multifunction display
when driving off, you have forgotten to
release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP orR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.

64 Getting startedParking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start / stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the warn-
ing lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM.
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 147).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the auto-
matic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not pre-
vent your vehicle from moving, possibly hit-
ting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 199).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

66 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 199).

Apply the parking brake (
page 65).Turning off with the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 38).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*

Press the KEYLESS-GO start / stop
button (
page 40) to turn off the
engine.
With the driver's door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 38).
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position
P
(
page 199).
When parked on an incline, also turn
front wheel towards the road curb.
iIf you turn off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch with the trans-
mission in a position other than P, the
transmission will automatically shift
toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine
with the SmartKey alone will not auto-
matically shift the transmission to P.
Only when the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
iIf you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door with the trans-
mission in a position other than P, the
transmission will automatically shift
toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button alone will not automatically shift
the transmission to P. Only when the
driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.