2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 rear view mirror

214 OperationDriving instructionsTowing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.
Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:

In order to gain skill and an under-
standing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.


Before you start driving check the

trailer hitch


break-away switch


safety chains


electrical connections


lighting and tiresAdjust the mirrors to permit unobstructed
view beyond rear of trailer.


If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.


Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.


When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.


Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.


The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
I t i s m o r e p r o n e t o r e a c t i n g t o s i d e w i n d
gusts, and requires more sensitive
steering input.


If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.!If the trailer should begin to sway, re-
duce the vehicle’s speed and use the
brake controller by hand to straighten
out the vehicle and trailer.
In no case should you attempt to
straighten out the tow vehicle and trail-
er by increasing the speed or over-
steering and stepping on the brakes.

242 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should
be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo.Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not
attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.

276 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsHave the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center:

Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors


Xenon*-lamps


Front fog lamps (vehicles with sport
package*)


High mounted brake lamp (only vehi-
cles with an exterior spare-wheel
rack*)
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the combination switch to
positionD (
page 107).

Open the hood (
page 222).
Replacing low beam bulbs
1Low beam halogen or Bi-Xenon* hous-
ing cover with locking tab2Electrical connector
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover
1
for the
Bi-Xenon* headlamp. Because of high volt-
age in Xenon* lamps, it is dangerous to re-
place the bulb or repair the lamp and its
components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

329 Index
A
ABS 25, 76, 323
ABS control 76
LOW RANGE mode 77
Malfunction indicator lamp 248
Warning lamp 248
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 124
Accident
In case of 53
Activating
Air circulation mode 141
Air recirculation mode 141
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Automatic climate control 137
ESP 82
Exterior headlamps 50
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 50
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 55, 83Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 143
Rear window defroster 135
Rear window wiper 52
Residual heat 142
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 158
Windshield wipers 51
Activating automatic central locking 94
Adding
Coolant 228
Engine oil 226
Additional turn signals 274
Adjustable steering column
Indicator lamp 260
Adjusting 35
Backrest tilt 37, 39
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 37, 39
Head restraint tilt 38, 40Headlamp aim 282
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 41
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 37, 39
Seats 35
Steering wheel 40
Adjusting air distribution
Automatic climate control 139
Adjusting air volume
Automatic climate control 139
Air conditioning
Cooling 141
Air conditioning refrigerant 314
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure

330 IndexAir recirculation mode 140
Activating 141
Deactivating 141
Air vents
Automatic climate control 144
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 249
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 323
BabySmartTM deactivation
system 70
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64
Alarm
Audible 75, 84, 86
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83Anticorrosion/antifreeze 318
Antiglare
Automatic 128
Antilock brake system (ABS) 323
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 84, 86
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 168
Storage compartments 168
Armrest in rear seat bench 170
Ashtray
Front center console 171
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 227Attaching a trailer 213
Automatic antiglare for
rear view mirror 128
Automatic central locking
Activating 94
Deactivating 94
Automatic climate control 136
Adjusting air distribution 139
Adjusting air volume 139
Air conditioning 141
Air vents 144
Basic setting 139
Changing basic setting 139
Defrosting 140
Economy mode 137
Rear passenger compartment 143
Rear window defroster 135
Residual heat utilization 142
Residual ventilation 142
Switching off 139
Switching on 139

335 Index
Driving abroad 216
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer 214
Driving off 199
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 79
ABS 76
BAS 78
ESP 80
Driving systems 153
Cruise control 153
Driving safety systems 76
EBP 80
Parktronic* 156
Driving through water 208
Driving tips 124
Accelerator position 124
Kickdown 124
E
Easy entry/exit feature* 101
EBP 80
Indicator lamp 251Economy mode
Automatic climate control 137
Electrical connections
Trailer 212
Electrical fuses 297
Electrical outlet 173
Electrical system
Technical data 309
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors 130
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Electronic stability program see ESP
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency call system
Requirements 175
Emergency call system* 175
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 178
With Tele Aid* 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 126Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Locking the vehicle 269
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Remote door unlock 182
Unlocking the vehicle 268
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 217
Emission control label 304
Engine
Starting 47
Technical data 306
Turning off 55
Engine cleaning 242
Engine compartment
Hood 222
Main fuse box 298
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 254
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(Canada only) 25
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) 25
Engine number 323

336 IndexEngine oil 223, 314
Adding 226
Additives 314
Checking level 223
Consumption 223
Messages in display 224
Oil dipstick 226
Viscosity 324
Enlarged cargo compartment 100
Error
Display messages 263
ESP 25, 80, 324
Indicator lamp 251
LOW RANGE mode 81
Malfunction indicator lamp 251, 252,
253
Switching off 81
Switching on 82
Synchronizing 252
Warning lamp 258
ETD 324
Safety guidelines 62
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 67Exterior mirrors
Folding 130
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Folding electrically 130
F
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 155
First aid kit 264
Flat tire 284
Lowering the vehicle 287
Preparing the vehicle 284
Spare wheel 266
Flexible Service System (FSS) 237, 324
Fluid level
Automatic transmission 227
Fog lamps 111
Replacing bulbs 274
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 276
Switching on 112
Folding
Exterior mirrors 130Folding electrically
Exterior rear view mirrors 130
4-ETS 25, 79
Indicator lamp 259
LOW RANGE mode 80
Malfunction indicator lamp 259
Warning lamp 258
Front airbags 63
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 260
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 274, 276
Front towing eye 295
Front turn signal bulbs
Replacing 278
FSS (Flexible Service System) 237, 324
Fuel 220
Additives 315
Fuel reserve warning lamp 259
Gasoline additives 315
Premium unleaded gasoline 220,
315
Requirements 315
Reserve warning 25

338 IndexHeadlamp cleaning system* 230
Headlamps
Automatic control 108
Bi-Xenon* 323
Cleaning 242
Cleaning system* 133, 230
Refilling washer fluid 230
Switching off 55
Switching on 50
Washer fluid 319
Washer system 319
Headliner
Cleaning 244
Heated seats* 98
Height adjustment
Head restraints 37, 39
Seat belts 46
Steering wheel 40
High beam 111
High beam flasher 50, 111
High beam halogen headlamps
Replacing bulbs 277
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 274
High mounted brake lamp
Replacing bulbs 281Hood 222
Closing 223
Opening 222
Hooks
Loading 162
Hydroplaning 201
I
Identification labels 304
Certification label 304
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) 304
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 83
Activating 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamp
Adjustable steering column 260
Brake pad wear 261
Coolant 256
Front fog lamps 260
Low engine oil level 260
Infant and child restraint systems 68
Installing 71
LATCH child seat mounts 73Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 180
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 128
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Wiper blades 283
Instrument cluster 24, 117, 325
Cleaning 244
Coolant temperature gauge 118
Display in the speedometer 118
Illumination 117
Lamps in 259
Outside temperature indicator 119
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Integrated remote control
Erasing memory 188
Operating 188
Interior lighting 114
Activating automatic control 114
Deactivating automatic control 114
Manual control 115
Reading lamps 115
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41