2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 rear view mirror

194 Controls in detailGood visibilityFor information on the windshield wipers,
see “Windshield wipers” (
page 55).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Press headlamp washer switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 333).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 43).Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
1Lever

Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position
by moving lever1 towards the wind-
shield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.

195 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirror*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gearR is engaged


the interior light is turned on
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, when transporting cargo
which covers the rear window.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow 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 be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.

196 Controls in detailGood visibilityActivating exterior rear view mirror
parking position*
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the
passenger-side exterior rear view mirror
will be turned downward to the stored
position.
The buttons are located on the door
control panel.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Adjustment button
3Passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror button

Make sure you have stored a parking
position for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 137).

Make sure the
Mirror adjustment
parking assist function in the
Conve-
nience
submenu of the control system
is switched to
On (page 174).

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gearR.
The indicator lamp on the driver’s side
or passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button comes on, dependent
from the last setting.When the driver’s side exterior rear view
mirror button comes on:

Press button3 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.
The passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror will be turned downward to the stored
position.
When the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror button comes on:
The passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror will be turned downward to the stored
position.iThe exterior rear view mirror parking
position is key-dependent. For more in-
formation on storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position, see “Storing
exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion” (
page 137).

197 Controls in detail
Good visibility
The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:

when you switch off the ignition


ten seconds after you put the gear
selector lever out of positionR
Approximately 15 seconds later the in-
dicator lamp on the exterior rear view
mirror button goes out.


immediately once your vehicle exceeds
a speed of approx. 6 mph (10 km / h)


immediately when you press button1
for driver’s side mirror (
page 196)Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors*
Folding the exterior mirrors in and out
automatically
When the corresponding function in the
control system is activated (
page 175):


The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold in as soon as the vehicle is
locked from the outside.


The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold out as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front pas-
senger door are subsequently opened.Folding the exterior mirrors in and out
manually
The button is located on the door control
panel.
1Button for folding exterior mirrors in
and out

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
iWith gear selector lever in reverse
gearR you can deactivate the exterior
rear view mirror parking position by
pressing button1, or activate by
pressing button3. The indicator lamp
of the selected button is on.
!Before you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, fold the exterior
mirrors in, otherwise they may get
damaged.

198 Controls in detailGood visibilityFolding in
Briefly press button1.
Both mirrors fold in.Folding out

Briefly press button1 again.
Both mirrors fold out.
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
iIf you are driving at more than approxi-
mately 30 mph (47 km/h), you will not
be able to fold the exterior mirrors in.
!If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward (hit from the
rear) or forcibly pushed rearward (hit
from the front) press button1 to fold
mirrors in, then press button1 again
to fold mirrors out. Do not force mirrors
b y h a n d a s t h i s m a y d a m a g e t h e a d j u s t -
ment mechanism.
The mirror housing is now properly po-
sitioned and you can adjust the mirror
normally.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.

282 Controls in detailUseful featuresSystem self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than ten seconds or do not come on). The
message
Malfunction. Drive to work-
shop
appears in the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 284) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message Malfunction. Drive to workshop
is
displayed in the multifunction display after
the system self-check, a malfunction in the
system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.

292 Controls in detailUseful featuresStep 3:
Hold the end of the hand-held remote
control transmitter6 of the device
you wish to train approximately 2 to
5 in (5 to12 cm) away from the surface
of the integrated remote control
located on the left side of the interior
rear view mirror, keeping the indicator
lamp4 in view.
Step 4:

Using both hands, simultaneously
press the hand-held transmitter
button5 and the desired integrated
signal transmitter button (1, 2
or3). Do not release the buttons until
completing step 5.
The indicator lamp4 on the
integrated remote control will flash,
first slowly and then rapidly.Step 5:

When the indicator lamp4 flashes
rapidly, release both buttons.
Step 6:

Press and hold the just-trained
integrated signal transmitter button
and observe the indicator lamp4.
If the indicator lamp4 stays on
constantly, programming is complete
and your device should activate when
the integrated signal transmitter
button is pressed and released.Step 7:

To program the remaining two buttons,
repeat the steps above starting with
step 3.
iThe indicator lamp4 flashes the first
time the signal transmitter button is
programmed. If this button has already
been programmed, the indicator lamp
will only start flashing after
20 seconds.
iIf the indicator lamp4 flashes rapidly
for about two seconds and then turns
to a constant light, continue with
programming steps 8 through 12 as
your garage door opener may be
equipped with the “rolling code”
feature.


317 Operation
Driving instructions

Plug in all electrical connectors.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.
Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:


In order to gain skill and an under-
standing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.


Before you start driving check the

trailer hitch


break-away switch


safety chains


electrical connections


lighting and tires
Adjust the mirrors to permit unobstructed
view beyond rear of trailer.


If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.


Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.


When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.


Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.


The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.


If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.
iWhen you are towing a trailer, the vehi-
cle level always remains in the Highway
setting.