2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 sensor

218 Controls in detail3-zone automatic climate control*1
Temperature control, left
2
Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
3
Left side air distribution
4
Defrosting
5
Increase air volume
6
Rear window defroster
7
Right side air distribution
8
Rear air conditioning
9
Temperature control, right
a
Automatic climate control on/off
b
Right side air distribution
c
Right side air distribution
d
AC cooling on/off (A/C)
Residual heat/ventilation (REST)
e
Display
f
Decrease air volume
g
Air recirculation
h
Left side air distribution
j
Left side air distribution
k
Interior temperature sensor
l
Adopt driver zone settings in other
zones

219 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
The climate control is a 3-zone intelligent
climate control system. Your vehicle interi-
or is divided into 3 zones.With the help of a sun sensor, the climate
control determines the relation of the sun
to the vehicle and automatically adjusts
the inside temperature for every individual
zone.
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. It cools the vehi-
cle’s interior according to the angle and
intensity of the sun’s rays, the outside tem-
perature and the selected temperature.
You can operate the automatic climate
control in either the automatic or manual
mode.
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burns or frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary, change the air flow
using the air distribution controls
(page 218) to direct the air away from the
footwell air vents.

232 Controls in detailPower windowsFully opening the windows
(Express-open)
Press switch1 to4 past the resis-
tance point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.
Fully closing the windows
(Express-close)

Pull switch1 to4 past the resis-
tance point and release.
The corresponding window closes com-
pletely.
Stopping windows during
Express-operation

Press or pull respective power window
switch again.
Synchronizing power windows
The power window must be resynchro-
nized each time

after the battery has been
disconnected


if the power windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close)
Synchronizing

Close all doors.

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Pull and hold the power window
switches1 to4 until the side win-
dows are completely closed.
With the side windows completely
closed, hold the switches for approxi-
mately three seconds.
The power windows are synchronized.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within five seconds switch is again pulled
past the resistance point and released, the
automatic reversal will not operate.
!If the upward movement of the window
is blocked during the closing proce-
dure, the window will stop and open
slightly.
Remove the obstruction, pull the re-
spective power window switch again
past the resistance point and release.
If the window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, then pull and
hold the respective power window
switch. The side window will then close
without the obstruction sensor func-
tion.

254 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen the highway/high-speed level is
reached, the following message appears in
the multifunction display for five seconds:
Indicator lamp2 (
page 252) goes out.The following applies additionally when
towing a trailer:


The vehicle is lowered to the highway
level when it reaches a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h).


The high-speed level is not available.


The restrictions that apply to towing
also apply when using accessories that
are connected to the trailer power
socket, such as an accessory bicycle
rack.
Parktronic* system (Parking assist)
iThe vehicle is lowered to the highway
level if:

the vehicle speed is above 55 mph
(88 km/h)


the speed stays between 40 mph
(64km/h) and 55mph (88km/h)
for approximately 20 seconds
iDepending on the ADS setting
(page 249), the vehicle will be low-
ered to the high-speed level when trav-
eling at higher speeds. At speeds below
40 mph (64 km/h) at the latest, it will
be returned to the highway level.
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 377).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.


255 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, and set the
automatic transmission toD,R, orN.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
toP or depress the parking brake pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumper
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, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 377).
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

256 Controls in detailDriving systemsFront sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no long-
er be indicated by the system.
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is located in the rear
passenger compartment in the roof dome.
Front area warning indicator1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicators
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is operational when the readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The position of the automatic transmission
determines which warning indicator will be
activated.
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 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
Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash or the air brakes of trucks) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic
system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)

258 Controls in detailDriving systems
Parktronic* system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after
20 seconds.

Switch off the ignition (
page 34).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 377).

Switch on the ignition.
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe message
Parktronic on
reappears
as soon as the system senses that you
get closer to the object again, even if
you cleared the message before by
pressingèÿk or
buttonj on the multifunction
steering wheel.
iThe Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is
switched on.
Vehicles with original equipment
Mercedes-Benz Trailer Hitch Kit:
The rear Parktronic sensor will auto-
matically disengage when towing a
trailer as soon as the electrical connec-
tion between the vehicle and the trailer
has been established.


320 OperationDriving instructionsControl and operation of radio transmitters
Modular COMAND System, radio and
telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!
G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle. Only operate the
Modular COMAND System, radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic con-
ditions 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
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,
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, use only premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.