437 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking and opening the tailgate
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft
(2.15 m) is required to open the tailgate.
If the tailgate can no longer be unlocked
and opened using the Œbutton on the
SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO* function,
use the manual release to unlock and open
the tailgate.
The manual release is located on the inside
of the tailgate.
1Release lever
2Cover
Remove cover2 from the trim on the
tailgate.
Push release lever1 all the way to the
left.
Lift the tailgate.!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance.iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside using the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*, opening the tailgate
from the inside will trigger the
anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
With the SmartKey:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*:
Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be within 3 ft (1 m) of the ve-
hicle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be inside the vehicle.
472 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 97),
tow-away alarm (
page 102) and the
automatic central locking
(
page 125).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicle with all wheels on the ground.!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position1). Otherwise, the
4-ETS may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control.
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be in the respective start-
er switch positions as described above.
As soon as the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch, the automatic
transmission will shift to park
positionP.
474 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on passenger side of front
bumper
1Cover on passenger side of rear
bumper (ML 350)
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged, the automatic transmission
will remain locked in positionP and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (
page 462) and “Jump starting”
(
page 470).
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 36) in
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 102).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 125).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
507 Index
A
ABS 93, 501
ABS control 93
Malfunction indicator lamp 382
Messages in display 397
Off-road - ABS 94
Warning lamp 382
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 190
Accessory weight 365
Accident
In case of 59
Activating
Air circulation mode 226
Air conditioning (cooling) 211
Air recirculation mode 209, 224
Anti-theft alarm system 101
Central locking (control system) 172
Defrosting 208
Easy-entry/exit feature* 173
ESP
®
98Exterior headlamps 54
Hazard warning flasher 145
Headlamps 54
High beams 142
Ignition 34
Immobilizer 62, 100
Rear window defroster 201
Rear window wiper 58
Residual heat 212, 227
Seat heating* 134
Tow-away alarm 102
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 256
Windshield wipers 55
Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)* 249, 501
Adding
Coolant 333
Engine oil 331
Additional turn signals 443Adjusting 38
Air distribution 207, 222
Air volume 207, 208, 222
Backrest tilt 40
Compass zone 171
Exterior rear view mirror 44
Head restraint height 40
Head restraint tilt 41
Headlamp aim 451
Instrument cluster illumination 148
Interior rear view mirror 44
Mirrors 43
Multicontour seat* 132
Seat cushion depth 132
Seat cushion tilt 40
Seat fore and aft adjustment 39
Seat height 39
Seats 38
Steering column height 43
Steering wheel 41
Adjusting steering column 43
ADS* 501
508 IndexAir bags 67
Children 68
Front 71
Passenger 71
Safety guidelines 70
Side impact 72
Window curtain 72
Air conditioning
Turning off 211
Turning on 211
Air conditioning refrigerant 495
Air distribution
Adjusting 207, 222
Air pressure 365, 501
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 209, 223
Activating 209, 224
Deactivating 210, 225
Air suspension package* 249
Air suspension* 501Air volume
Adjusting 207, 208, 222
Alarm
Audible 91, 102
Canceling 102
Visual 100
Alarm system
Anti-theft 100
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 501
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 499
Antilock brake system (ABS) 501
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 101
Canceling alarm 102
Disarming 101
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 100
Immobilizer 100
Tow-away alarm 102
Aquaplaning see HydroplaningArmrest
Storage compartment in front of 272
Storage compartments 272
Armrest in rear seat bench 275
Ashtray*
Front center console 275
Aspect ratio 365
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 332
Attaching a trailer 316
AUDIO menu 157
Selecting radio station 157
Selecting satellite radio*
station (USA only) 157
Audio system
CD mode 158
Auto-dimming rear view mirror* 195
Auto-dimming*
Rear view mirror 195
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 172
513 Index
Cup holder 274
Cleaning 379
In front seat armrest 274
In rear center console 274
Reinstalling 275
Removing 275
Curb weight 365
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 501
D
Daytime running lamp mode 140
Setting 167, 168
Deactivating
Air conditioning 211
Air conditioning (cooling) 226
Air recirculation mode 210, 225
Alarm 101
Anti-theft alarm system 101
Automatic climate control*
(3-zone) 220
Central locking (control system) 172
Climate control 206
climate control system 206
Cruise control 240Defrost 209, 223
Engine 62
ESP
®
97
Hazard warning flasher 145
Headlamps 62
Immobilizer 100
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 170
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 228
Rear window defroster 201
Rear window wiper 58
Residual heat 212, 227
Seat heating* 134
Tow-away alarm 102
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 208, 222
Defrosting 208, 223
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 170
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 180Difficulties
While driving see Problems
while driving
Digital speedometer 156
Direction of rotation (tires) 338
Discharged battery
Jump starting 470
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 464
Display
Selecting 165
Displays
Digital speedometer 156
Maintenance service indicator 371
Messages 329
Selecting 165
Showing messages 160
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 177
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 147
Door handle 30
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 288
523 Index
Operating
CD player 158
Garage door opener 294
Integrated remote control 294
Radio 157
Radio transmitters 320
Telephone* 178
Vehicle outside the USA or
Canada 13
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 377
Outside temperature indicator 149
Overhead control panel 29
Overspeed range 504P
Paintwork 375
Panic alarm 91
Panic button on SmartKey 91
Panic button on SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 91
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 270
Parking 301
Parking and locking 60
Parking brake 52, 61
Engaging 61
Message in display 409
Releasing 52
Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 174
Parking, standing lamp
Replacing bulbs 443
Parking/standing lamp bulb
Replacing 448
Parktronic (Parking assist)* 504
Parktronic system*
Cleaning system sensor 377
Range of the sensors 255
Sensor cover 377Parktronic*
Warning indicators 256
Parktronic* system
Malfunction 258
Switching off 257
Switching on 257
Parktronic* system (Parking assist) 254
Partition net* 263
Engaging 263
Removing 264
Tightening 264
Parts see Parts service
Parts service 482
Passenger compartment 319
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 299
Phone book*
Loading 180
Quick search 180
Phone number*
Dialing 180
Redialing 181
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 380
532 IndexTime
Setting day 166
Setting hours 165
Setting minutes 166
Setting month 166
Setting year 167
TIN 367
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 368
Tire and Loading Information 339
Tire and loading terminology 365
Tire care and maintenance 336
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 325, 345, 347
Tire inflation pressure see
the placard on the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 336
Tire load rating 367
Tire ply composition and
material used 367Tire speed rating 303, 357, 367, 506
Tire terminology 365
Tire traction 303
Tires 487
Direction of rotation 338
Driving instructions 302
Low tire pressure telltale 391
Retreads 335
Rims and tires 487
Run Flat Indicator 348
Service life 336
Temperature 346, 364
TPMS malfunction telltale 391
Tread depth 337, 369
Wear pattern 368
Winter 369Tools 430
Tow-away alarm 102
Arming 102
Disarming 102
Disarming for transport 102
Towing
Trailer 314
Towing a trailer 317
Automatic transmission 191
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt 474
Stranded vehicle 476
Traction 367, 506
Trailer
Attaching 316
Loading 315
Towing 317