2007 MERCEDES-BENZ G500 ignition

200 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear Parking AssistThe Rear Parking Assist system is an
electronic aid designed to assist the driver
during parking maneuvers. It visually and
audibly indicates the relative distance
between the rear of the vehicle and an
obstacle.
The Rear Parking Assist system is
automatically activated when you

switch on the ignition
and

move the gear selector lever to reverse
gearR
Warning!G
Rear Parking Assist (rear 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 remains
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 Rear Parking
Assist can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Rear Parking Assist sensors”
(
page 318).
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. You
could otherwise injure them.

204 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The rear view camera is an optical parking
aid. It shows you the area behind the
vehicle in the COMAND system display
when reverse gearR is engaged, for
example during parallel parking.
To function properly, the camera lens must
be free of dirt, ice, snow, and slush. Clean
the camera lens regularly, being careful
not to scratch or damage the camera lens,
see “Cleaning the rear view camera lens”
(
page 319).The rear view camera is on the tailgate
above the rear window wiper.
1Rear view camera
Switching the rear view camera on
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Switch on the COMAND system.
Refer to separate COMAND system
operating instructions.

there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated
garage from the cold (lens condensa-
tion)

the camera lens is dirty or covered

the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and
setting of the camera checked by a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
contact a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.


222 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening the ashtray
Pull at top of cover1.
Removing the ashtray insert
Push down on catch2.
Pull out ashtray insert3.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert
Position ashtray insert3.
Push at top of cover1 to close the
ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 39).1Cigarette lighter
Briefly touch at top of the cover plate.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

223 Controls in detail
Useful features
Electrical outlet
Power outlets are located

in the front passenger footwell
(
page 223)

in the rear passenger footwell
(
page 224)

on the left-hand side of the cargo
compartment (
page 224)Power outlet in front passenger
footwell
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
!The lighter socket can accommodate
12 V DC electrical accessories (up to a maxi-
mum of 180 W) designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind,
however, that connecting accessories to the
lighter socket (for example extensive connecting
and disconnecting, or using plugs that do not fit
properly) can damage the lighter socket. With
the socket damaged, the lighter may no longer
be able to be placed in the heating (pushed-in)
position, or the lighter may pop out too early with
the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12 V DC
electrical accessories designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12 V
power outlets (
page 223) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
iIf the engine is off, and the cigarette lighter
is being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
!If you use all power outlets in the vehicle,
make sure that the maximum current drawn
does not exceed 15 A.
iThe power outlets can be used to
accommodate 12 V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum of 180 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may become
discharged if used for long periods of time.
N

224 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet in rear passenger footwell
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).Power outlet in cargo compartment
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
Floormats
NN
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and retainer pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat or front passenger
seat as far to the rear as possible (
page 42).

225 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is located on the lower left-hand
side of the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Switching off
3Indicator lampSwitching on
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in
direction of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated.
Indicator lamp3 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in
direction of arrow2.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off.
Indicator lamp3 goes out.
For information on adjusting the steering
wheel, see “Steering wheel” (
page 44).
iThe steering wheel heating is temporarily
suspended while the indicator lamp3 remains
on when

the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)

the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.
iIndicator lamp3 flashes or goes out

in case of power surge or undervoltage

in case of a steering wheel heating
malfunction
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.

230 Controls in detail
Useful features
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Tele Aid inoperative appears
in the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated auto-
matically following an accident in which
the emergency tensioning devices (ETDs)
or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 231) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp on the SOS button will
begin to flash. The message
Connecting
call
appears in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. All information
relevant to the emergency, such as the
location of the vehicle (determined by the
GPS satellite location system), vehicle
model, identification number and color are
generated.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the COMAND system audio is muted and the
selected mode (radio, CD etc.) pauses.
The optional cellular phone (if installed) inserted
in cradle switches off. If you must use this
phone, we recommend that you use it only with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Remove the phone from the cradle and place the
call. The navigation system (if engaged) will con-
tinue to run. The display in the instrument cluster
is available for use, and spoken commands are
only available by pressing the RPT button on the
COMAND system. A pop-up window will appear
in the COMAND system display to indicate that a
Tele Aid call is in progress. After the Tele Aid call
has ended, the optional cellular phone inserted
in the cradle switches on again. A PIN entry
might be necessary.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message
Tele Aid inoperative is displayed in the
multifunction display after the system
self-check, a malfunction in the system has
been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.

233 Controls in detail
Useful features
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance Manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Button to open telephone tray
2Armrest cover
3Information button¡
Press button1 and lift up armrest
cover2.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the
Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 230) if the
indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays
on longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network was not available).
The message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated
using thet button on the multifunction
steering wheel or the END button on the
COMAND system headunit.