2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R500 Airmatic

Contents
Control system .................................. 159
Multifunction display .................... 159
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 160
Menus .......................................... 162
Standard display menu ................ 166
AMG menu ................................... 168
AUDIO menu ................................ 171
Navi* menu .................................. 173
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 174
Distronic* menu........................... 174
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 174
Settings menu .............................. 176
Distance warning function* ......... 191
Trip computer menu..................... 191
TEL menu* ................................... 193
Automatic transmission ..................... 197
Gear selector lever ....................... 197
Shifting procedure ....................... 200
Transmission positions................. 201
Driving tips ................................... 203
Gear ranges ................................. 205
Automatic shift program .............. 206Steering wheel gearshift control ... 207
Manual shift program
(R 63 AMG only)............................ 209
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 211
Good visibility ..................................... 212
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 212
Rear view mirrors.......................... 212
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors* ........................................ 214
Sun visors ..................................... 215
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 216
Rear window defroster .................. 217
Climate control ................................... 218
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 222
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 222
Setting the temperature................ 223
Adjusting air distribution............... 223
Adjusting air volume ..................... 224
Front defroster.............................. 224
Air recirculation mode .................. 226
Air conditioning............................. 228
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 229
Rear climate control*.................... 2293-zone automatic climate control* ..... 232
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 236
Operating the automatic
climate control system in
automatic mode............................ 237
Setting the temperature ............... 237
Adjusting air distribution .............. 238
Adjusting air volume ..................... 239
Front defroster ............................. 239
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 240
Air recirculation mode .................. 240
Air conditioning ............................ 243
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones........................ 244
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 244
Rear automatic climate control
(second row) ................................ 245
Rear automatic climate control
(second and third row)* ................ 249
Power windows .................................. 251
Opening and closing ..................... 251
Synchronizing the door windows .. 254
Summer opening feature .............. 254
Convenience closing feature......... 256

Contents
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 258
Opening and closing ..................... 258
Synchronizing ............................... 260
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 261
Roller sunblinds for the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 261
Opening and closing the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel........................... 262
Synchronizing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding
panel ............................................ 264
Driving systems ................................. 266
Cruise control............................... 266
Distronic*..................................... 271
Distance warning function*.......... 284
AIRMATIC* ................................... 285
Parktronic* (Parking assist) ......... 291
Rear view camera* ....................... 295Loading .............................................. 297
Roof rack*.................................... 297
Loading instructions..................... 298
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 299
Hooks........................................... 300
Expanding cargo compartment .... 301
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 306
Partition net* ............................... 308
Useful features .................................. 311
Storage compartments ................ 311
Parcel nets ................................... 315
Cup holders.................................. 316
Ashtrays* ..................................... 319
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 321
Power outlets ............................... 322
Rear center console* ................... 323
Heated steering wheel* ............... 326
Telephone* .................................. 327
Tele Aid* ...................................... 330
Garage door opener* ................... 337
Compass ...................................... 342
Floormats ..................................... 343
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 344
Operation......................................... 345
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 346
Driving instructions ........................... 347
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 347
Drinking and driving ..................... 347
Pedals .......................................... 347
Power assistance ......................... 348
Brakes.......................................... 348
Driving off .................................... 351
Parking......................................... 351
Tires ............................................. 352
Hydroplaning................................ 352
Tire traction ................................. 353
Tire speed rating .......................... 353
Winter driving instructions ........... 354
Standing water............................. 355
Passenger compartment .............. 356
Driving abroad ............................. 356
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 357
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) .......................... 357

163 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5
Standard displayAMG1
1AMG vehicles only.
AudioNavi*Airmatic*/Compass
(page 166)(page 168)(page 171)(page 173)(page 174)
Commands/submenus
Trip- and main odometerEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationRoute guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledAIRMATIC*
Checking tire inflation
pressureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)Compass
Checking coolant
temperatureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Calling up digital
speedometer or outside
temperatureOverall analysis
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorLap analysis
Checking engine oil level
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within thesystem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.The first function displayed in each menu will
show you which part of the system you are in.

174 Controls in detail
Control system
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu
The
AIRMATIC/Compass menu displays the
AIRMATIC* messages and the direction
into which you are currently driving.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the
AIRMATIC/Compass menu
appears in the multifunction display.
For information on AIRMATIC*, see
“AIRMATIC*” (
page 285).
For information on the compass, see
“Vehicle submenu” (
page 186) and
“Compass” (
page 342).
Distronic* menu
Use the
DISTRONIC menu (page 276) to
display the current settings for your
Distronic system. The information shown
in the multifunction display depends on
whether the Distronic system is activated
or deactivated.
Please refer to the “Driving systems”
section of this manual (
page 271) for
instructions on how to activate Distronic.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
to select the Distronic menu in the
multifunction display.
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the
system. Such messages appear in the
multifunction display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears, if messages have been
stored.

266 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 266) and
Distronic* (
page 271), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Distance warning function*
(
page 284) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacles or slower moving vehicles
that you are closing in on too quickly.

AIRMATIC* (page 285) adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and controls the vehicle
level.

Parktronic* (page 291) and rear view
camera* (
page 295), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 100).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.

285 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switch on the distance warning func-
tion in the control system
(
page 191).1Symbol for activated distance warning
function
When the distance warning function is
switched on, you will see the : symbol
in the Standard display. When the distance
warning function is deactivated the
:symbol will not appear.
AIRMATIC*
The AIRMATIC* consists of two compo-
nents:

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(
page 286): Automatically optimizes
your vehicle’s suspension tuning.

Vehicle level control* (page 286):
Regulates the ride height of the vehicle.
Warning!G
If the distance warning lampl in the in-
strument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or miss-
ing distance warnings.
Warning!G
R 63 AMG only: When you turn off the
engine, the vehicle may be lowered
(
page 288). To avoid personal injury,
make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of
the wheel housing or under the vehicle when
you turn off the engine.
!R 63 AMG only: When you turn off the en-
gine, the vehicle may be lowered (
page 288).
When parking, make sure there is sufficient
clearance under the vehicle for it to lower with-
out making contact with the road curb for exam-
ple. Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.

342 Controls in detail
Useful features

If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.

Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
Compass
Calling up the compass
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the
AIRMATIC/Compass menu
appears in the multifunction display.
The compass displays the direction
into which the vehicle is currently trav-
eling:
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W orNW.
Example for compass display on vehicles
equipped with AIRMATIC*
iCertain types of garage door openers are
incompatible with the integrated remote control.
If you should experience further difficulties with
programming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center, or call Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center (in the USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service
(in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iIf your vehicle is not equipped with
AIRMATIC*, the multifunction display will show
the compass only.

355 Operation
Driving instructions
Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 405).
Standing water
To prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine com-
partment if you must drive through
standing water, keep in mind that

the maximum depth of the water may
not exceed 10 in (25 cm)

you must drive slowly
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.
iVehicles with AIRMATIC*
(except R 63 AMG):
If you have selected the raised level
(
page 289) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is
12 in (30 cm).
iR63AMG with AIRMATIC*:
If you have selected the highway level
(
page 289) with the ADS in SPORT mode
(
page 286) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is
7.5 in (19 cm).
If you have selected the raised level
(
page 289) before driving through standing
water, the maximum water depth is 9 in (23 cm).