2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Owner's Manual

191 Controls in detail
Useful features
Setting the compass zone
Determine the geographical point of
the vehicle with the aid of the zone
maps.

Switch on the ignition.

Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the compass display appears
in the trip computer display3.

Press RESET1 (
page 189) to select
the compass zone mode.
The zone selected last is shown in the
display.

Press RESET1 repeatedly until the
correct compass zone, as determined
from the zone map, is shown in the dis-
play.

Press MODE2 twice.
The new compass zone is activated and
the compass display will be shown.Calibrating the compass
If the vehicle was exposed to a significant
magnetic zone, such as high voltage power
lines, the compass may have to be calibrat-
ed.
To calibrate the compass correctly, ob-
serve the following:


Calibrate the compass in an area free
of steel superstructures and power
lines.


Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g.
exterior lamps, climate control, rear
window defroster etc.).


Do not open or close the tilt / sliding
sunroof.


Close doors and liftgate.

Start and run the engine.

Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the compass display appears
in the trip computer display3.

Press RESET1 and afterwards press
MODE2.
In the display appears
CAL–
.

Press and hold RESET1 for approxi-
mately two seconds.
The calibration mode is activated and
the display shows
CAL
.

Drive without interruption two full cir-
cles at a speed between 3 mph
(5 km / h) and 7 mph (10 km / h).
The message
CAL
goes out after a short
time. The calibration is now complete.
iAn open liftgate triggers the
display
---
.

192 Controls in detailUseful featuresStop watch
Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the stop watch display ap-
pears in the trip computer display3.
Counting

Press RESET1 (
page 189) to start
counting.Stopping

Press RESET1 again to stop counting.
Resetting

Press and hold RESET1 until the dis-
play shows “0:00”.
Average fuel consumption

Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the average fuel consumption
display appears in the trip computer
display3.Distance remaining with fuel presently
in tank

Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the distance remaining dis-
play appears in the trip computer
display3.
iIf CAL
remains in the display, calibration
was not successfully completed. You
have to recalibrate:


Remove the key from the steering
lock.


Start the vehicle and start the cali-
bration procedure described previ-
ously.
We recommend that you have the com-
pass calibrated at a Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iWhen the fuel supply drops to reserve
level the display flashes distance re-
maining.

USA only:
The display alternates between FUEL
and distance remaining until
supply is consistently below the re-
serve level. When the fuel supply is
very low (approximately 1.5 gal
[5.5 l])
FUEL
is displayed
continuously.

193 Controls in detail
Useful features
Country
Press MODE2 (
page 189) repeat-
edly until the country display appears
in the trip computer display3.

Press and hold RESET1 a minimum of
five seconds to change the country unit
system.
Canada units system selection
You can choose between CAN-English or
CAN-French.Setting CAN-English

Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is
displayed.

Press MODE2 to select
–ENG
.

Press MODE2 again to set CAN-En-
glish.Setting CAN-French

Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is
displayed.

Press MODE2.–ENG
is displayed.

Press RESET1 to select
–Fr
.

Press MODE2 to set CAN-French.
The language selected determines how the
various displays are presented, see table.
Display
Language
Date
Cardinal points
Fuel consumption
Distance remaining
GEr
German
DD.MM
Süd, Nord, Ost, West
l / 100 km
Kilometer
Gb
English
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi / gal (Imperial)
Miles
ESP
Spain
DD.MM
Sur, Norte, Este, Oeste
l / 100 km
Kilometer
Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l / 100 km
Kilometer
USA
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi / gal (US)
Miles
CAN-ENG
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
l / 100 km
Kilometer
CAN-Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l / 100 km
Kilometer

194

195 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

196 OperationIn the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle.The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.


During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than
2/3 of max-
imum rpm in each gear).


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.


Select positions3, 2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may grad-
ually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when the
first 1000 miles (1500 km) after the en-
gine, the transfer case, the front differen-
tial or the rear differential has been
replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.

197 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Booklet and as required by the
maintenance service indicator. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and / or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine is not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.

198 OperationDriving instructionsBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBP), the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 78).