2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Lock

73 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Blocking of rear door window operation
1Switch for rear door window override
Slide the switch to the right.
A dot becomes visible. The rear win-
dows can no longer be operated using
the switch in the rear doors.
iWith a child seat installed in the left
rear seat, the seat belt for the center
seat occupied by a passenger must op-
erate freely. Guide seat belt between
its seat cushion mount and backrest
mount along outside of right side child
seat mount.
Non-LATCH type child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the
vehicle’s seat belt system. Install child
seat according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Warning!
G
Install child seat according to manufactu-
rer’s instructions.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d i n t h e
right and left side anchors1 (
page 72).
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident.
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat mounting fittings must be re-
placed.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.
Children too big for child restraint systems
must ride in back seats using regular seat
belts. Position shoulder belt across chest
and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper
belt positioning for children from 41 lbs until
they reach a height where a lap / shoulder
belt fits properly without a booster.

74 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyFor more information on power windows,
see the “Controls in detail” section
(page 144).Warning!
G
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle.
The children may otherwise injure them-
selves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the win-
dow opening.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and / or seri-
ous personal injury.

75 Safety and Security
Panic alarm
Panic alarm
An audible alarm and flashing turn signal
lamps will operate for approximately
2½ minutes.
1Âbutton
Activating
Press and hold button1 for at least
one second.
Deactivating
Press button1 again.
or

Insert key in steering lock.
iFor operation in the USA only: This de-
vice complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful
interference, and


this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systems
Driving and safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


4-ETS (E
lectronic T
raction S
ystem)


EBP (E
lectronic B
rake P
roportioning)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km / h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
The -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 25) comes on when you
turn the key to position2. It goes out when
the engine is running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP, the EBP, and the 4-ETS is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires)
or snow chains as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
ABS, BAS, ESP and 4-ETS cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

77 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.LOW RANGE– ABS
During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the ABS is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(
page 125).
When applying the service brakes at
speeds below approximately
18 mph (30 km / h), the front wheels are
locked cyclically to shorten the braking
distance (dig-in effect). This affects steer-
ing the vehicle.
iWith the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS,
the EBP, ESP, and the 4-ETS are also
switched off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.

78 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsFor more information, see “The yellow ABS
warning lamp comes on while driving.”
(page 242).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance. Apply con-
tinuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
The ¿indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 25) comes on when you
turn the key to position2. It goes out when
the engine is running.
For more information, see “The yellow
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.” (
page 246).
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.

83 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Removing the key from the steering lock
activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating
Turning the key in the steering lock to
position2 (
page 33) deactivates the im-
mobilizer.
Anti-theft alarm
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone:

opens a door


opens the liftgate


opens the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


unlocking and opening the driver’s
door with the mechanical keyArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the remote control. The
turn signal lamps flash three times to indi-
cate that the alarm system is activated. A
red lamp in the center console will flash af-
ter approximately 10 seconds when the
alarm system is completely armed
(
page 27).
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(vehicle’s battery is in order), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in
Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid* sys-
tem (
page 171) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsDisarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the remote con-
trol. The turn signal lamps flash once to in-
dicate that the alarm system is
deactivated.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2.
or

Press theŒ or ‹button on the
remote control.
The alarm is canceled.
Tow-away alarm, glass breakage
sensor
The tow-away alarm and the glass break-
age sensor are part of the anti-theft alarm
system.Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone:


attempts to raise the vehicle


breaks a window and reaches into the
passenger compartment
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times, the tow-away - glass
breakage sensor is malfunctioning or
one of the following elements may not
be properly closed:

a door


the liftgate


the hood
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally again after approximately
40 seconds if one of the doors or the
liftgate is not opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid* sys-
tem (
page 171) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.