2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 brake light

Contents
Automatic climate control ................. 136
Automatic mode........................... 139
Adjusting air volume and
air distribution manually............... 139
Defrosting .................................... 140
Air recirculation mode.................. 140
Air conditioning ............................ 141
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 142
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear
automatic climate control ............ 143
Front and rear air vents................ 144
Power windows.................................. 146
Opening and closing
the side windows ......................... 146
Synchronizing power windows ..... 148
Rear quarter windows* ................ 148
Power tilt / sliding sunroof* ............... 150
Opening and closing the
power tilt / sliding sunroof............ 150
Synchronizing the
power tilt / sliding sunroof............ 152Driving systems .................................. 153
Cruise control ............................... 153
Parktronic* system
(Parking assist) ............................. 156
Loading............................................... 160
Loading instructions ..................... 160
Partition net* ................................ 162
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 164
Cargo floor plates ......................... 165
Roof rack* .................................... 166
Useful features ................................... 167
Storage compartments ................. 167
Cup holders .................................. 169
Armrest in rear seat bench ........... 170
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ....... 171
Electrical outlet ............................. 173
Telephone* ................................... 173
Tele Aid* ....................................... 174
Garage door opener ...................... 183
Trip computer* ............................. 189
Operation.......................................... 195
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 196
Driving instructions ............................ 197
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 197
Drinking and driving...................... 197
Pedals ........................................... 197
Power assistance .......................... 197
Brakes .......................................... 198
Driving off ..................................... 199
Parking ......................................... 200
Tires.............................................. 200
Hydroplaning ................................ 201
Tire traction .................................. 201
Tire speed rating ........................... 202
Winter driving instructions ............ 202
Standing water ............................. 204
Off-road driving ............................. 204
Trailer towing ................................ 211
Passenger compartment............... 215
Driving abroad .............................. 216
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ..................... 216
Catalytic converter ....................... 217
Emission control ........................... 217
Coolant temperature .................... 218

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
222
2
Parking brake pedal
54
3
Parking brake release
54
4
Left cup holder
169
5
Combination switch

Exterior lights


High beam


Turn signals
50
6
Cruise control lever
153
7
Instrument cluster
117
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch
113
9
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
a
Windshield wiper / washer
switch
51
b
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
158
c
Glove box
167
d
Right cup holder
169
e
Storage compartment
f
Electrical outlet
173
g
Horn
h
Headlamp washer button*
133
j
Steering lock with ignition
33
k
Steering wheel lever
40

48 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn key in steering lock to position0
and repeat starting procedure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 291).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The warning lampÉ in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
orR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident and / or se-
rious personal injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.

55 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the combination switch to1
(page 50).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 107).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position0 (
page 33) and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Move the steering wheel slightly to al-
low the locking mechanism to engage.
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. Children could release the parking
brake and / or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and / or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an in-
cline, positionP alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 123).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb.iThe key can only be removed from the
steering lock with the gear selector le-
ver in positionP.


76 Safety and SecurityDriving 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 in the steering lock 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
The 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 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 127).
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 ESP, and the 4-ETS are also
switched off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.

125 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine
idling or on an uphill gradient:

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Set the parking brake.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicle
Towing a trailer
If you tow a trailer, note the following
points:

Manually shift to a lower gear range
(4,3, 2, 1), if the transmission hunts
between gears on inclines
(page 122).
A lower gear range and reduction of
speed reduces the change to overload
or overheat the engine.


At very steep inclines switch transfer
case to LOW RANGE mode
(page 127).
For more information on trailer towing, see
the “Operation” section (
page 211).
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could
roll away.

157 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors.Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
When an obstacle is located in this area, all
warning displays will light up and a warning
tone will sound. If the vehicle moves closer
than the minimum distance to an object,
the distance may no longer be displayed.
Center
approx. 39.4 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 23.6 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 47.2 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 31.5 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)