2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG Owner's Manual

145 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack*Roof rails
For further information inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
The maximum roof load when using roof
rack systems is 220 lbs. (100 kg).
!Attach roof racks to the roof rails only.
Use only those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Follow manufacturer’s installation in-
structions.
The vehicle could otherwise be dam-
aged.

146 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed


Parktronic*, with which you can assist
your parking maneuvers.
The driving systems BAS, ABS, ESP, EBB
and 4-ETS, are described in the “Safety
and Security” section (
page 71).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 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 found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 23).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain
responsible for the vehicle speed and for
safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


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


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

147 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at previously set speed
Saving current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control will be canceled. The
last speed set will be stored for later
use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.

148 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting stored speed (“Resume”
function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
Cruise control will resume the last pre-
viously set speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed

Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1.0 mph (1 km/h)
increments
Faster

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow2.
Transmission in LOW RANGE mode
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate the cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.iThe cruise control should not be used
during off-road driving.

149 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system assists the driver
during parking maneuvers. It visually and
audibly indicates the distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
With the ignition on, Parktronic engages
automatically at speeds up to approxi-
mately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.Parktronic monitors your vehicle’s environ-
ment by means of six sensors in the front
bumper and four sensors in the rear
bumper.
1Sensors located in front bumperWarning!
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.
Make sure that no persons or animals are lo-
cated in the area in which your are maneu-
vering. They could otherwise be injured.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or
street curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected 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. For notes on clean-
ing the Parktronic system sensors
(page 220).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.

150 Controls in detailDriving systemsMonitoring reach of sensors
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
snow or they will be unable to function
properly. Clean the sensors regularly with-
out scratching or damaging them.Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
When an obstacle is located in this area, all
warning displays will light up and a warning
tone will sound. If the vehicle moves closer
than the minimum distance to an object,
the distance may no longer be displayed.Warning indicators
The warning indicators show the distance
between the sensor and the obstacle. The
warning indicators for the front area are lo-
cated above the center air outlets in the
dashboard. The warning indicator for the
rear area is located in the rear passenger
compartment lamp.
1Segments, left side of vehicle
2Segments, right side of vehicle
Each warning indicator has 6 yellow and 2
red segments.
Center
40 in (100 cm)
Corner
24 in (60 cm)
Center
48 in (120 cm)
Corner
32 in (80 cm)
Center
6 in (15 cm)
Corner
8 in (20 cm)

151 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The selector lever position determines
which warning indicator is activated.
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 seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 3 seconds
will sound for the eighth segment.Switching Parktronic on/off
You can switch Parktronic off manually.
The switch is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Switching off
2Indicator lamp
3Switching onSwitching Parktronic off

Press switch on the upper part1.
Indicator lamp2 lights up.
Switching Parktronic on

Press switch on the upper part3.
The indicator lamp2 goes out.
Selector lever
position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R
Rear area activated
N or P
No area activated
!If all red segments light up in the warn-
ing indicators, a dirty sensor or a ultra-
sonic signal could be the reason.

Clean the sensors (
page 220).
After cleaning the sensors, switch
the ignition on.
!If Parktronic is malfunctioning, all red
segments of the warning indicators
light up and an additional warning
sounds.
Contact your Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
iIf you switch the ignition on, Parktronic
will be automatically switched on.
The rear Parktronic sensors will not au-
tomatically disengage when towing a
trailer. Therefore switch Parktronic off.

152 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box

Grab in recess and pull lid release1.
The glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push glove box lid up to close.Storage compartment under front pas-
senger seat*
The storage compartment is lockable with
its separate key.
1Lock cylinder
2Handle
Locking and unlocking the storage com-
partment

Turn the key clockwise.
The storage compartment is locked.

Turn the key counterclockwise.
The storage compartment is unlocked.
Warning!
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To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iThe opened glove box is illuminated
with the key in steering lock position1
(page 33).