2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 roof rack

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

124 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Limiting opening height of tailgate*
Vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system*:
The tailgate opening height can be limited
when transporting goods on a roof rack*
(e.g. presence of an MB sport luggage con-
tainer*). When activated, the tailgate
opens to approximately 6.4 ft (1.95 m).
Activate the limiting opening height of
tailgate using the control system
(page 189).
Closing the tailgate
Closing the tailgate from the inside
electrically*
In vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system* you can close the tailgate from
the inside using the remote tailgate switch.
Press remote tailgate switch1
(page 123) until tailgate begins to
close.
The tailgate closes. The indicator lamp
in the remote tailgate switch goes out.
While the tailgate is closing an acoustic
signal sounds.
To interrupt the closing procedure:

Press or pull remote tailgate switch1
(page 123).
Warning!
G
Maintain sight of the area around the rear of
the vehicle while operating the tailgate with
the door-mounted remote tailgate switch or
with the Šbutton on the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*. Monitor the
opening procedure carefully to make sure
no one is in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the opening procedure, press or
pull the door-mounted remote tailgate
switch or press the Šbutton on the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.!The tailgate swings open upwards auto-
matically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance. To stop
the opening procedure, press or pull
remote tailgate switch1. The tailgate
stops moving.
iThe tailgate can also be opened using
theŠ button on the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(page 114).


279 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*
1Trim cover

Flip roof trim covers 1 open.

Attach the roof rack to the attachment
points under roof trim covers 1.
Follow roof rack manufacturer’s instal-
lation instructions.
For further information, inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Only use the roof rack when the basic carri-
er bars have been completely mounted. The
left and right rails are only stabilized by
means of the basic carriers being mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Use only those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Follow manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. The vehicle could otherwise
be damaged.
When loading the roof rack, make sure

the tilt/sliding sunroof* (or
tilt/sliding panel*) can be com-
pletely raised at the rear


the tilt/sliding panel and the tail-
gate can be completely opened

331 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go
traffic, on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.

387 Operation
Tires and wheels
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.

545 Index
L
Labels, identification 510
Lamp bulbs, exterior 465
Lamps, exterior
Front 466
Light sensor 444
Messages in display 442, 444
Rear 466
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 404
Air bag Off 76
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 118
Battery (SmartKey) 112
Brakes 405
CHECK ENGINE 407, 408
CHECK Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 408
Engine diagnostics 407, 408
ESP
®
409
Front fog lamps 147
Fuel reserve 409
Rear fog lamp 147
Seat belts 410
SRS 411Language
Multifunction display 178
Setting 178
LATCH child seat anchors 92
LATCH child seat mounts 92
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 512
Lever
For cruise control 264
License plate lamps
Messages in display 444
Replacing bulbs 466, 474
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 401
Light sensor 444
Lighter see cigarette lighter*
Lighting 147
Automatic headlamp mode 148
Cargo compartment lamp 157
Daytime running lamp mode 149
Door entry lamps 157
Front fog lamps* 151
High beams 151
Instrument cluster illumination 158
Interior 154
Locator lighting 150
Low beam 147Night security illumination 150
Parking lamps 147
Rear fog lamp 151
Settings (control system) 182
Standing lamps 147
Limiting the gear range 202
Limp Home Mode 207
Line of fall 531
Loading 279
Cargo compartment cover
blind* 288
Cargo tie-down rings 281
Hooks 282
Instructions 280
Parcel nets 298
Partition net* 290
Roof rack 279
Loading terminology 385
Loading the vehicle 356
Locator lighting 150
Setting 183
Lock button 531
Lock buttons
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 68

551 Index
Roof rack 279
Rubber parts
Cleaning 402
Rubber parts, cleaning 401
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 366
S
Safety
Occupant 70
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects
Reporting 19
Safety systems
Driving 97
Seat belt force limiter 80
Seat belt height adjustment 52
Seat belts 77
Cleaning 402
Fastening 50
Height adjustment 52
Proper use of 52, 79
Safety guidelines 74
Warning lamp 410
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 136Seat heating*
Switching off 143
Switching on 142
Seating capacity 358
Seats 132
Adjusting 42
Easy entry/exit feature* 132
Heating* 141
Multicontour seat* 136
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 281
Selecting display 179
Self-test
Occupant Classification System 90
Tele Aid* 312
Service
Calling up the service indicator 393
Parts 508
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 509
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator
Calling up 393
Clearing 393
Service life (tires) 354Setting
Convenience functions 177, 189
Cruise control 265
Day (clock) 181
Daytime running lamp mode 182
Higher speed in cruise control 267
Hours (clock) 180
Individual vehicle settings 174
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 185
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 182
Language, multifunction display 178,
179
Locator lighting 183
Lower speed in cruise control 267
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 178
Minutes (clock) 180
Month (clock) 181
Slower speed in cruise control 267
Speed in cruise control 269
Speedometer display mode 178
Temperature (interior) 222, 236
Units in speedometer 178
Year (clock) 181