2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 brakes

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

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.

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see “Practical Hints”
(page 248).
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 in the steering lock to
position2. It goes out when the engine is
running.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 251).
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
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from exces-
sive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can pre-
vent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize 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 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 (Key in
steering lock 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 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.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 248) and
(
page 259).
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.

82 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The switch is located on 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 the “Practical
hints” section (
page 247).
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period of time 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.

123 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe key can only be removed
from the steering lock with the
gear selector lever in positionP.
With the key removed, the gear
selector lever is locked in
positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in positionP
(page 270).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are 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.