2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 warning

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.

79 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
4-ETS
The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery
road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is trans-
ferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The traction control engages at vehicle
speeds up to approximately 24 mph
(40 km / h), and switches off at approxi-
mately 50 mph (80 km / h).
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.
The 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv, loca-
ted in the speedometer dial, starts to flash
at any vehicle speed, as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
Warning!
G
When you see the 4-ETS / ESP-warning
lampv flashing in the speedometer,
then proceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resul-
ting from excessive speed.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.iIf the yellow 4-ETS malfunction indica-
tor lamp{ comes on while the
4-ETS / ESP warning lampv flash-
es, the electronic traction system is be-
ing switched off temporarily to prevent
overheating of the drive wheel brakes.

80 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsLOW RANGE 4-ETS
During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the 4-ETS is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 242) and
(
page 252).
EBP
The EBP enhances braking effectiveness
by allowing the rear brakes to supply a
greater proportion of the braking effort
without a loss of vehicle stability.
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of ad-
hesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.
The ¿indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 25) and the 4-ETS / ESP
warning lampv in the speedometer
come on when you turn the key to
position2. They go out when the engine is
running.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
4-ETS / ESP-warning lampv flashing in
the speedometer. In this case, proceed as
follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.

81 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
LOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(page 125).
In the LOW RANGE mode, the ESP ope-
rates in a traction improving fashion spe-
cifically adapted for off-road driving. At
speeds below 27 mph (45 km / h), the ESP
assists in over- / understeering, thus im-
proving vehicle traction.Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel


when driving off-road
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
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 an ESP equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

82 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systems
The switch is located in the upper center
console.ESP on / off switch
Press upper half of the ESP switch.
The 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv in
the speedometer comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.
If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv in the
speedometer flashes, regardless of the
speed.Traction control brakes a spinning wheel
even when the ESP is deactivated.
The ESP always operates when you are
braking, even when it has been deactiva-
ted.
Switching on the ESP

Press lower half of the ESP switch until
the 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv in
the speedometer goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 241).
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.iTurn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.
Warning!
G
When the 4-ETS / ESP warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP.

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Unlocking
Unlocking the driver’s door and fuel
filler flap
Press buttonΠonce.
All turn signal lamps flash once to indi-
cate that the driver’s door and the fuel
filler flap are unlocked.Global unlocking

Press buttonΠtwice.
All turn signal lamps flash once to indi-
cate that all doors, fuel filler flap and
liftgate are unlocked.
Unlocking the liftgate

Press buttonŠ.
Only the liftgate unlocks.
Locking

Press button‹ once.
All turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that all doors, the liftgate
and the fuel filler flap are locked.
iUnlocking the vehicle with the remote
control deactivates the anti-theft
alarm.
The vehicle will lock again automatical-
ly and reactivate the anti-theft system
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if neither door nor liftgate is
opened.
iLocking the vehicle with the remote
control activates the anti-theft alarm.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times, one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:

a door


the liftgate


the hood
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock your 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.

92 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
To unlock the liftgate, move the
catch2 to the right.

Pull handle1 down and swing liftgate
upward.
Closing the liftgate
1Recessed grip
2Grip molding
Pull down on recessed grip1.

Close liftgate by using grip molding2.
!Always make sure that there is suffi-
cient overhead clearance.iTo lock the liftgate, move the catch2
to the left.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle. Children could open the liftgate
from inside, which could result in an acci-
dent and / or serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the liftga-
te opening when closing the liftgate. Be es-
pecially careful when small children are
around.
Do not close the liftgate from the inside by
pulling on the handle.Warning!
G
Only drive with the liftgate closed as exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle interior.iTo prevent an inadvertent lockout, do
not place the key in the cargo compart-
ment.

94 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingLocking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the doors and the
tailgate from inside using the central lock-
ing switch. This can be useful, for example,
if you want to lock the vehicle before start-
ing to drive.Locking

Press upper part1 of central locking
button (
page 93).
If all the doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
Unlocking

Press lower part2 of central locking
button (
page 93).
The vehicle unlocks.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and / or serious per-
sonal injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked using the remote control, it will
not unlock using the central locking
switch.