122 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power windows
Power window switches located on front center console
1left, front
2right, front
3left, rear
4right, rear
5Switch for rear door window overridePower window switches located on rear center console
6left, rear
7right, rear
P54.25-2477-26
13
24
5
P54.25-2473-26
123 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Opening the side windows:
Press k on the switch to resistance point.
Closing the side windows:
Press j on the switch to resistance point.
Release switch when window is in desired position.
Express opening and closing of windows
Press k or j on the switch past resistance point
and release – window opens or closes completely.
To interrupt procedure, briefly press j or k.
If the upward movement of the window is blocked
during the closing procedure, the window will stop
during the last few inches before closure and open
slightly.
When pressing and holding the switch j to close the
window, and upward movement of the window is
blocked during the last few inches before closure, it will
stop and reopen.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.The closing procedure can be immediately reversed
by pressing the power window switch.When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment can cause serious personal
injury.
124 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocking of rear door window operation
If no operation of the rear door windows by the
switches (6) and (7), located on rear center console (for
instance by children) is desired, slide override
switch (5) to right, symbolN becomes visible.
Note:
After turning off the engine, the power windows can be
operated for approximately 30 minutes or until a front
door is opened.Synchronizing power windows
Resynchronize the power windows, if
•the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or low),
•the windows cannot be opened or closed by the
express feature.
To r e s y n ch r o n i z e :
Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
Press j side of power window switch until the
window is completely closed and hold down for
approximately 1 second. Repeat procedure for each
window.
The automatic full opening and closing procedure of the
windows should now be restored.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment can cause serious personal
injury.
125 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear quarter windows
(optional; Canada only: standard on ML 500;
USA: standard on ML 55 AMG)
Switches located on front center console
The rear quarter windows can be operated with key in
steering lock position 2.
1Press to open.
2Press to close.Note:
After turning off the engine, the rear quarter windows
can be operated for approximately 30 minutes or until a
front door is opened.
12
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment can cause serious personal
injury.
202 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Off-Road driving
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle characteristics and
gear changing before you attempt any difficult terrain
off-road driving. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.
Please read this chapter carefully before you begin
off-road travel.
Special driving features are available for specific kinds
of operation:
•LOW RANGE mode, see page 227
•LOW RANGE - ABS, see page 220
•LOW RANGE - 4-ETS+, see page 222
•LOW RANGE - ESP, see page 226
Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driving under
off-road conditions. For switching LOW RANGE mode on
and off see page 227.
Fasten items being carried as securely as possible, see
page 154.
We recommend to keep doors, liftgate, windows, and
roof closed whenever driving in off-road mode.Important!
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain. The more
uneven, rutty and steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be.
Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree-stumps, ruts.
Be especially careful when driving in unknown
territory. Eventually get out of the vehicle and scout the
path you intend to take.
Continuous and speedy driving in sandy soil overcomes
the vehicle rolling resistance, and helps to prevent the
vehicle from sinking into the ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It interrupts the
forward momentum of the vehicle.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having friction
property, can cause exceptional wear and tear as well as
failure of the brakes.
In this case the brakes may be less effective or even fail
when you most need them. Always clean and check the
brakes following each off-road trip.
213 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW
RANGE, see page 227 for instructions on how to engage
LOW RANGE.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower gear and
use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the brakes,
thus overheating the vehicle and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle approaching
the red zone) when the air conditioner is on, turn off the
air conditioner. Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle with
a trailer will require additional passing distance ahead
than when driving without a trailer. Because your
vehicle and trailer is longer than your vehicle alone, you
will also need to go much farther ahead of the passed
vehicle before you can return to your lane.Parking
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trailer
movement, always:1. Keep right foot on brake pedal.2. Shift gear selector lever to position “N”.3. Have a second person place wheel chocks on
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.4. Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.5. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.6. Move gear selector lever to position “P”.7. On inclines turn front wheels towards the road
curb.
298 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and / or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.
322 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 219
LOW RANGE – ABS .................................................. 220
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Adjustable steering wheel .............................................. 74
Indicator lamp ...........................................................244
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............................................290
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 316
Air pump ......................................................................... 261
Air recirculation .............................................................116
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 55
Airbag OFF indicator lamp ........................................... 244
Airbags .............................................................................. 58
Alarm system ............................................................. 36, 37
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ..................... 200, 257, 315, 319
Antiglare night position ................................................. 75
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 219
LOW RANGE – ABS .................................................. 220
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 36
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 196
AshtrayCenter console, front ................................................ 137
Rear passenger compartment ................................. 137
Automatic central locking .............................................. 33
Automatic climate control ............................................ 108
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment .............................120
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 114
Air recirculation ........................................................ 116
Air volume, manual .................................................. 114
Defroster/Windows fogged up
on the inside ......................................................... 115
Economy mode .......................................................... 117
Programming the
basic temperature setting ................................... 113
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ...................................................... 119
Rear window defroster ............................................. 121
Residual engine heat utilization ............................. 117
Switching off the rear passenger
compartment ventilation and
rear automatic climate control ........................... 118
Switching on and off ................................................. 118
Windshield fogged up on outside ........................... 115
Automatic climate control rear
Manual setting of air volume and
air distribution in the rear passenger
compartment ......................................................... 119