2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 instrument cluster

36 Getting startedUnlocking1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
2Starter switchKEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada onlyThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.

Do not depress the brake pedal.
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or Position 2)

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button twice.
All lamps in the instrument cluster
come on. If a lamp in the instrument
cluster fails to come on when the igni-
tion is switched on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in
the instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” (
page 382).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once more, the ignition (position2)
is switched on


twice more, the power supply is
again switched off

37 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(page 50).iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once more, the
power supply is again switched off.iWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
high beam headlamp indicator lamp
and turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except high beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps if activated) should go out when
the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are
operational.

42 Getting startedAdjustingThe adjustment handle for manual steering
wheel adjustment is located under the
steering column.
To unlock the steering column, pull
handle out to its stop limit.

Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (including
malfunction and indicator lamps) on
the instrument cluster are clearly
visible.

Push handle back to its original posi-
tion to relock the steering column.
The steering column is once again
locked into position.

Make sure the steering column is se-
curely locked by trying to move the
steering wheel up and down, in and out
before driving off.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the steering
wheel adjustment feature can be operated
when the driver’s door is open. Therefore,
do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

43 Getting started
Adjusting
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the steering column (lower left).
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
or

Open the driver’s door.Adjusting steering column in or out

Move stalk forward or back in the direc-
tion of arrow1 until a comfortable
steering wheel position is reached with
your arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down

Move stalk up or down in the direction
of arrow2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and that all the displays (including
malfunction and indicator lamps) on
the instrument cluster are clearly
visible.
Mirrors
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a
good view of the road and traffic condi-
tions.
iThe memory function* (
page 135)
lets you store the setting for the seat
position together with the setting for
the steering wheel and the exterior rear
view mirrors.
Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass
breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can only be
completely removed while in their
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.

52 Getting startedDrivingParking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle

Release the parking brake pedal1 by
pulling on release handle2.
The warning lamp; (USA only) or
!(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.

Shift automatic transmission toD orR
(page 182).

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
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iShifting from gear positionP to
positionR, N, orD is only possible with
the brake pedal depressed. Without the
brake pedal depressed, the gear selec-
tor lever can be moved, but the parking
pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.iThe automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 172).
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.

54 Getting startedDrivingSwitching on headlamps
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 138).
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn exterior lamp switch toB.High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 25).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Combination switch” (
page 142).
Turn signals
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press combination switch in direction
of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK in the instrument
cluster flashes.

61 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp; (USA only) or!
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the
automatic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not pre-
vent your vehicle from moving, possibly hit-
ting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 185).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

66 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyIn this section you will learn the most im-
portant facts about the restraint systems
of the vehicle.

Seat belts (
page 73)


Child restraints (
page 87)


Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH) (
page 88)
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with


Air bags (
page 67)


Air bag control unit (with crash
sensors)


Emergency tensioning device (ETD) for
seat belts (
page 76)Air bag system components with


Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp (
page 85)


Front passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
(page 81)
As independent systems, their protective
functions work in conjunction with each
other.The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates early detection of malfunctions.
The
1
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (page 25) comes on when the
ignition is switched on and goes out no lat-
er than a few seconds after the engine has
been started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness if the
1
indicator lamp is not
lit when the engine is running.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if the
1
indicator lamp:


fails to go out not later than approxi-
mately four seconds after the engine
was started


does not come on at all


comes on after the engine was started
or while driving
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and
restraint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 78).