2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 start stop button

86 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
Self-test Occupant Classification Sys-
tem
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice, the 59 indicator lamp1
located in the center console illuminates. If
an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
front passenger seat and the system sens-
es the occupant as being an adult, the
59indicator lamp will illuminate
and go out after approximately
six seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 59indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out.For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 401).


Do not place objects under and/or
around the front passenger seat.


Do not hang anything from or attach any
items to the seats.


Do not stuff objects such as books be-
tween the middle console and the front
passenger seat.


Do not move the front passenger seat
backwards against stiff objects.


Sit properly belted in a nearly upright
position with your back against the seat
backrest.


Do not lean on the armrests or lift your-
self from the seat by using the handle
over the door as this may cause the OCS
to be unable to correctly approximate
the occupant weight category.


Only have the seat repaired or replaced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.


Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
Warning!
G
If the 59indicator lamp should not
illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center before seating any child
on the front passenger seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
(e.g. pillow), since it reduces the effective-
ness of the Occupant Classification System.
The bottom of the child seat must make full
contact with the passenger seat cushion. An
incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the
child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.


92 Safety and SecurityPanic alarmActivating
Press and hold button1 for at least
one second.
Deactivating
Press button1 again.
or

Insert the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter
switch.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 36).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.

96 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 381).
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
®-warning lampv flashing in the
speedometer. In this case, proceed as fol-
lows:


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 result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
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 an ESP
® equipped vehicle must nev-
er be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
!The ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (page 487).
!Because of the ESP’s
® automatic oper-
ation, the engine and ignition must be
shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button* in position0 or1
(
page 34)) when


the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front or rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.

100 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Press the start/stop button on the
starter switch once.
The engine is turned off.

Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 34).
With KEYLESS-GO*

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the tailgate


the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when someone attempts to raise the vehi-
cle, see “Tow-away alarm” (
page 102).
iStarting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid* system (
page 280) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.

102 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsCanceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or ‹button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) away from the
respective door.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming the tow-away alarm

Make sure all doors and the tailgate are
closed.

Lock your vehicle.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about ten seconds.
Disarming the tow-away alarm

Unlock your vehicle.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid* system (
page 280), provid-
ed that the Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and
that necessary cellular service and GPS
coverage are available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automati-
cally.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.

104 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsCanceling tow-away alarm
To cancel the alarm after it has been
triggered:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒ or ‹button on the
SmartKey.With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.

117 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handleFront doors

Pull on door handle2 on the respec-
tive front door to open door.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will
move up.
Rear doors

Pull up locking knob1 on the respec-
tive rear door to unlock door.

Pull on door handle2 on the respec-
tive rear door to open door.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked with the SmartKey or SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO*, opening a door from the
inside will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


Press theŒ or ‹button on
the SmartKey.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
must be outside the vehicle.
With KEYLESS-GO*


Grasp an outside door handle.


Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be inside the vehicle.

122 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking1Tailgate closing switch
Press tailgate closing switch1 briefly.
The tailgate closes.
If the tailgate comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high), the closing procedure
is stopped and the tailgate reopens.iYou can also close the tailgate by hand.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the cargo compartment opening when clos-
ing the tailgate. Be especially careful when
small children are around. To stop the clos-
ing procedure, do one of the following:

press the tailgate closing switch1


press the Šbutton on the SmartKey


press or pull the remote tailgate switch
(on the driver’s door)
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the tailgate closing switch
can be operated. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the tailgate closed as,
among other dangers such as blocked
visibility, exhaust fumes may enter the vehi-
cle interior.iDo not place the SmartKey in the open
cargo compartment. You may lock
yourself out.iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the tailgate will lock automati-
cally after closing it. The turn signals
will flash three times to confirm lock-
ing.