2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 light rear

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.


261 Controls in detail
Loading
Hooks
Four hooks located on the rear compart-
ment trim panels, two on each side.
1Hook
Use the hooks to secure light weight items.
The maximum permissible weight per hook
is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo compartment, you
can fold down the left and right rear seat
backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately to enlarge the cargo compartment.Folding the backrest forwardWarning!
G
When expanding the cargo compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward
and always use the partition net when trans-
porting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause
injury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 260).
!Always release the seat cushion and
fold it up before folding the seat back-
rests forward. The covering on the seat
backrest may otherwise be damaged.
When the rear bench seat is folded for-
ward, the front seats cannot be moved
to the rearmost position. Otherwise
you could damage the front seats and
the rear bench seat.

273 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment in the rear arm-
rest
Fold down the rear armrest.

Press the handle upward and fold the
armrest up.Parcel net on the front seat backrest
1Parcel net
A small convenience parcel net is located
on each of the front seat backrests. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Do not place more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into
the parcel net on the back of the front pas-
senger seat. Otherwise, the OCS may not be
able to properly approximate the occupant
weight category.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.

276 Controls in detailUseful featuresRemoving ashtray insert
Grip the ashtray insert1 on the sides
and pull it out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert1.Rear center console ashtray
Cover plate for rear ashtrayOpening rear ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing rear ashtray insert

Grip the insert on the sides and pull it
out upwards.
Reinstalling rear ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter

Switch on the ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
!Close the ashtray in the rear center
console before folding the rear seat
bench.

277 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter*
1Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Open the ashtray (
page 275).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
12-V sockets
Power outlets are located in the front pas-
senger footwell, the rear passenger foot-
well, and the right-hand side of the cargo
compartment.
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
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. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum of 180 W.
If the engine is off, and the cigarette
lighter is being used extensively, the
vehicle battery may become
discharged.
iThe power outlets can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a
maximum of 240 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may be-
come discharged if used for long peri-
ods of time.

278 Controls in detailUseful featuresPower outlet in front passenger
footwell
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).Power outlet in rear passenger footwell

Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).Power outlet in cargo compartment

Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).

279 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormats*
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing

Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.

Remove the floormat.
Installing

Lay down the floormat.

Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tend using eyelets
2
and retainer pins
1
.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat or front
passenger seat as far to the rear as
possible (
page 39).
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, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

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.