Page 108 of 342

105 Windshield wiper/washer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Windshield wiper/washer switch
Move stalk briefly up for single wipe without adding
washer fluid (use only when windshield is wet).
Pull stalk toward steering wheel and hold to activate
wiper and washer.
Wiper off
Move stalk down for:
Intermittent wiping
(Interval is vehicle speed dependent
1). Optional rain sensor:
(Canada: standard on ML 500;
USA: standard on ML 55 AMG)
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring wetness of windshield.)
Notes:
With vehicle at a standstill, a front door open and
the key in steering lock position 2 there will be no
operation of windshield wipers in intermittent
setting.
With the intermittent wiping on, turn the
electronic key in steering lock from position 1 to
position 2 and keep the key in that position for
longer than 2 seconds and the wipe interval will
be set to approx. 5 seconds.
Optional rain sensor:
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or when
cleaning the windshield. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and wipers
may be damaged as a result.
1 At speeds of approximately 105 mph (170 km/h) the wiper
switches automatically to continuous wiping. (Always obey local
speed limits.)
Page 113 of 342
110 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Front display and controls
1Air volume control wheel
2Temperature control
3Air distribution control wheel4Defrosting, see page 115
5Air recirculation, see page 116
6Automatic mode AUTO
Automatic control of temperature, air distribution
and air volume
7AC
OFF
, economy mode see page 117
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 117
8Rear window defroster, see page 121
9Rear passenger compartment ventilation switched
off, see page 118
10Interior temperature sensor
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system
that uses R–134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
1
2
3
45
6
10
89
P83.30-3550-26
7
Page 114 of 342

111 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic climate control
The automatic climate control only operates with the
engine running.
The system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off.
In the automatic mode the automatic climate control
cools or heats the interior depending on outside
temperature and the selected interior temperature.
Make the temperature settings in small increments.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or
windows for a short period) before driving off
Keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield free
of debris and snow.
The air conditioning mode removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
If the economy mode AC
OFF
is selected, the air
conditioning compressor will not engage and it is not
possible to air condition in this setting. See page 117.Notes:
The interior temperature sensor (10) should not be
touched to maintain a precise temperature.
If the vehicle travels from shade into direct sunlight, a
sensor automatically increases the air volume
temporarily to maintain the interior temperature.
The automatic climate control will not remove moisture
from the air at low outside ambient temperatures.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take
place. Economy mode AC
OFF
cannot be switched off.
Have the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz
Center should this happen.
Dustfilter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution) may require
replacement of the filter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air volume to the
interior.
Page 181 of 342

178 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type
catalytic converters, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Page 233 of 342

230 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing, the rear areas are monitored.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 234 for parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
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 rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 301 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.
Page 234 of 342
231 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Sensors
1Sensors located in bumper
(front bumper shown)A total of 10 sensors (1) monitor the vehicle’s front and
rear areas. Six sensors are located in the front bumper,
four sensors in the rear bumper.
For proper operation of the Parktronic always keep the
sensors clean, especially at times of snow and ice.
See page 301 for instructions on cleaning the sensors in
the bumpers.
Note:
The rear Parktronic sensors will not automatically
disengage when towing a trailer, therefore switch the
Parktronic system off, see page 234.
Switch the Parktronic system on again when no longer
towing a trailer.
1
1
1P54.65-2366-26
Page 235 of 342
232 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Warning indicators
1Segments, left side
2Segments, right sideVisual and audible signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
Warning indicators for the front area are located above
the center air outlets in the dashboard.
Warning indicators for the rear area are located in the
rear passenger compartment lamp.
Each warning indicator has 6 yellow and 2 red
segments.
As soon as the sensors detect an obstacle, one or more
segments light up, depending on the distance. An
intermittent acoustic warning will also sound as the
seventh segment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 3 seconds will sound for
the eighth segment.
P54.65-2363-26
2 1
Page 236 of 342
233 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Monitoring reach of sensors
Front bumper:
Rear bumper:The first yellow segment lights up at these distances.
Additional segments light up as the vehicle comes
closer to the obstacle.
Minimum distance between vehicle and obstacle at
which the system stops indicating: Center approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corner approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corner approx. 32 in (80 cm)
Front corners approx. 6 in (15 cm)
Front center and rear approx. 8 in (20 cm)