2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R63AMG warning

156 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(
page 26).
1To dim instrument cluster illumination
2Reset button
3To brighten instrument cluster
illuminationThe instrument cluster is activated when
you
open a door

switch on the ignition (page 39)

press reset button 2

switch on the exterior lamps
(
page 146)
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 179).
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.

158 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is indicated in the
multifunction display (
page 159).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed
temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to
the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
When moving the vehicle into colder
ambient temperatures (e.g. when leaving
your garage), you will notice a delay before
the lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed 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. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

159 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 (
page 40) or as
soon as the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button* is in position1 (
page 41). The
control system enables you to

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for maintenance service, to set
the language for messages in the instru-
ment cluster display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Transmission position indicator
4Current transmission program mode
5Status indicator (outside temperature
or digital speedometer)
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(
page 162).
iThe displays for the audio systems (radio,
CD player) will appear in English, regardless of
the language selected.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.

165 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu6Menu7Menu8Menu9MenuaMenub
DISTRONIC*Vehicle status
message memorySettingsDistance warning
function*Trip computerTelephone*
(page 271)(page 174)(page 176)(page 191)(page 191)(page 193)
Commands/submenus
Status and settingsCalling up
malfunction mes-
sages, warning mes-
sages, and system
status messages
stored in memoryResetting to factory
settingsDistance warning
function* on/offFuel consumption
statistics after startLoading phone book
Instrument cluster
submenuFuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetSearching for name
in phone book
Time/Date
submenuDistance to empty
Lighting submenu
Vehicle submenu
Comfort submenu*
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem 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.

166 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
In the standard display, the main odometer
and the trip odometer appear in the multi-
function display.
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
If you see another display, press
buttonè orÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears.
Press buttonkorj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Checking tire inflation pressure382
Checking coolant temperature166
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature167
Calling up maintenance service
indicator409
Checking engine oil level
(R 500 only)366
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

167 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the digital speedometer or the
outside temperature appears in the
multifunction display.
Digital speedometer
Outside temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 455).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select whether the digital speed-
ometer or the outside temperature is to be
displayed.
You can change the setting in the submenu
Instr. cluster via the function Status line
display
, see “Selecting display (digital speed-
ometer or outside temperature) for status
indicator” (
page 180).

169 Controls in detail
Control system
RACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the RACETIMER.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap numberStarting the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer starts.
Displaying intermediate time
Press button ç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
Stopping the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer stops.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under any circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain re-
sponsible for following posted speed limits.
iYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 39).
iWhile the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using
buttonsæ or ç.
iWhen you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (
page 39) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you
switch the ignition back on (
page 39) or
restart the engine (
page 54) and then press
the æbutton.

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.