2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 ignition

172 Controls in detailUseful featuresCigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter2
(page 171).
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Ashtray and cigarette lighter in the rear
center console
1Ashtray
2Cigarette lighter
3Cover plate
Opening the ashtray

Briefly touch cover plate3.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing ashtray insert

Grip the insert on the sides and pull it
out upwards.Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter

Switch on the ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
!Close the ashtray in the rear center
console before folding the rear seat
bench.

173 Controls in detail
Useful features
Electrical outletElectrical outletOne outlet is located in the front passen-
ger footwell and another on the right-hand
side of the luggage compartment.
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.
iThe outlets function even if the key is
not in the ignition.
The electrical outlet can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a
maximum of 180 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may be-
come discharged if used for long peri-
ods of time.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and / or serious
personal injury.

174 Controls in detailUseful features
You can take and place telephone calls
using the MCS unit.
See separate instruction manual for infor-
mation on how to operate the telephone.
Tele Aid*
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his / her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the MCS (Modular Control Sys-
tem)
1 if road, weather and traffic conditions
permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements
Warning!
G
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle. Whether or not prohibited by law, for
safety reasons, the driver should not use the
cellular telephone while the vehicle is in mo-
tion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before an-
swering or placing a call.
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid sys-
tem may only be performed by:

completing the subscriber agree-
ment and


placing an acquaintance call using
the ¡button
Failure to complete either of these
steps will result in a system that is not
activated. If the system is not activat-
ed, the indicator lamp in the
SOS button stays on after switching on
ignition and the message
TELE
AID – NOT ACTIVATED will be shown in
the MCS display for approximately
10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding ac-
tivation, please call the Response Cen-
ter at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

185 Controls in detail
Useful features
Programming or reprogramming the
integrated remote control
Step 1:
Switch on ignition.
Step 2:

If you have previously programmed an
integrated signal transmitter button
and wish to retain its programming,
proceed to step 3. Otherwise, press
and hold the two outer signal transmit-
ter buttons3 and5 and release
them only when the indicator lamp6
begins to flash after approximately
20 seconds (do not hold the button for
longer than 30 seconds). This proce-
dure erases any previous settings for
all three channels and initializes the
memory. If you later wish to program a
second and / or third hand-held trans-
mitter to the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, do not repeat this
step and begin directly with step 3.Step 3:

Hold the end of the hand-held remote
control transmitter1 of the device
you wish to train approximately 2 to
5 in (5 to12 cm) away from the surface
of the integrated remote control locat-
ed on the interior rear view mirror,
keeping the indicator lamp6 in view.
Step 4:

Using both hands, simultaneously
press the hand-held transmitter
button2 and the desired integrated
signal transmitter button (3, 4
or5). Do not release the buttons until
completing step 5.
The indicator lamp6 on the integrat-
ed remote control will flash, first slowly
and then rapidly.
iFor operation in the USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) 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.


188 Controls in detailUseful featuresStep 4:
Continue to press and hold the inte-
grated signal transmitter button (3,
4 or5) while you press and re-press
(“cycle”) your hand-held remote con-
trol transmitter1 every two seconds
until the frequency signal has been
learned. Upon successful training, the
indicator lamp6 will flash slowly and
then rapidly after several seconds.

Proceed with programming step 5 and
step 6 to complete.
Operation of remote control

Switch on ignition.

Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (3,
4or5 to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.Erasing the remote control memory

Switch on ignition.

Simultaneously hold down the signal
transmitter buttons3 and5, for ap-
proximately 20 seconds, or until the in-
dicator lamp6 fl as hes r ap idl y. Do not
hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.Reprogramming a single integrated
signal transmitter button
To program a device using a signal trans-
mitter button previously trained, follow
these steps:

Press and hold the desired signal
transmitter button (3, 4 or5).
Do not release the button.

The indicator lamp will begin to flash
after 20 seconds. Without releasing
the integrated signal transmitter
button, proceed with programming
starting with step 3.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes
of all three channels.

189 Controls in detail
Useful features
Trip computer*
The trip computer is located in the
overhead console.
1RESET
2MODE
3Display
Switching on the trip computer
Switch on ignition.
Display3 shows one of the available
functions.

If a function display does not appear,
press MODE2.Selecting functions

Press MODE2 repeatedly until the
desired display appears.
The functions are displayed in the
following order:


Date


Compass


Stop watch


Present fuel consumption


Average fuel consumption


Distance remaining


Country


Switching off trip computerSetting the date

Press MODE2 repeatedly until the
date appears.

Press RESET1.
The month shown flashes.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
month.

Press RESET1.
The day shown flashes.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
day.

Press RESET1.
The year shown flashes.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
year.

Press RESET1.
The display stops flashing and the date
is set.
iWith engine not running, the display
switches off automatically 30 seconds
after the last entry.

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
---
.

223 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.!Do not push the hood closed manually,
as this could damage it.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.