2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 wheel

250 Controls in detailDriving systems
Start the engine (
page 34).

Press ADS switch1 repeatedly until
the desired suspension tuning is
reached.
Vehicle level control*
The vehicle level control automatically
regulates the ride height to

reduce fuel consumption


improve driving stability by lowering
the center of gravity
The vehicle automatically regulates its ride
height based on the set vehicle height and
the current speed:


The ride height of the vehicle is re-
duced with increasing vehicle speed.


The ride height of the vehicle changes
from the high-speed level back to the
normal highway level as the vehicle
speed is decreased.
The parked vehicle begins adjusting to the
set vehicle level as soon the doors and tail-
gate are


unlocked
or


opened.
In order to operate the vehicle level control
switch (
page 252), however, the engine
must be running.
For safety reasons, the vehicle lowers only
when all doors are closed. The lowering
procedure is interrupted as soon as a door
is opened. The lowering will resume as
soon as all doors are closed.
iThe setting is stored when you turn off
the engine.
Warning!
G
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises. There-
fore, always ensure that the vehicle level is
as low as possible. With higher ride height
the ESP
® may activate earlier in certain
situations.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you lower
the vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs
could become wedged into or under the ve-
hicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with the doors closed. Lowering is
interrupted if a door is opened and will con-
tinue after the door is closed again.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
!
Keep in mind that in rough or uneven
terrain, adjusting the vehicle to a lower
level may cause the vehicle underbody
to come in contact with the ground and
result in damage to the vehicle under-
body. Always make sure the vehicle
has sufficient ground clearance before
adjusting it to a lower level.!Before jacking up the vehicle with
equipment that lifts one or more of the
wheels completely off of the ground,
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.!Please also note the information in the
section on towing (
page 472).
iThe activation thresholds are defined
by the set suspension tuning
(page 249).
iThe high-speed level is not available if
towing a trailer. For more information
on towing a trailer, see “Trailer towing”
(page 314).
iFor off-road driving, please observe the
corresponding section in this manual
(page 306).

253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting the raised level
Only select the raised level if appropriate
for the driving situation encountered.
Otherwise:

fuel consumption may increase


handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable

Start the engine (
page 34).
If the indicator lamp2 is off:

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.
The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display while the level is being
set:When the raised level is reached, the
following message appears in the multi-
function display for five seconds:
Indicator lamp2 (
page 252) comes on
continuously.
You can select the raised level at speeds
up to 40 mph (64 km/h). At higher speeds,
the message
Level selection not
permitted appears in the multifunction
display.Setting the highway/high-speed level

Start the engine (
page 34).
If the indicator lamp2 (page 252) is
on:

Press switch1 (
page 252).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway/high-speed
level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iThe message can be cleared by press-
ing theèÿk or
buttonj on the multifunction
steering wheel.
iThe message can be cleared by press-
ing theèÿk or
buttonj on the multifunction
steering wheel.


257 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will come on,
depending on the distance. When the
second red distance segment illuminates,
you have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of two seconds will sound for
the second red segment. The signal is
canceled when the automatic trans-
mission is set toP, or the parking brake
is activated.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of two seconds will sound for
the second red segment. The signal is
canceled when the automatic trans-
mission is set toD, P, or the parking
brake is activated.
Switching Parktronic* system on/off
The Parktronic system can be switched off
manually using the control system
(
page 175).
As your vehicle approaches an object, and
three or more distance segments will
come on, the following message appears in
the multifunction display.

Pressæ orç to switch function
off.
Automatic trans-
mission position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated
iThe display disappears automatically
within ten seconds if you continue to
approach an object.
If the vehicle comes closer to the ob-
ject and the first red distance segment
comes on, the display appears continu-
ously. It disappears if:

you clear the message by pressing
theèÿkor
buttonj on the multifunction
steering wheel
or


the distance is increased and the
third yellow distance segment goes
out.


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.


259 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Loading instructions
Load distributionThe gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard(s) located on the
driver’s door B-pillar. In addition, the load
must be distributed in such a way so that
the weight on each axle never exceeds the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axle. The GVWR and GAWR
for your vehicle are indicated on the certi-
fication label which can be found on the
driver’s door B-pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:


Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

280 Controls in detailUseful features
You can take and place telephone calls us-
ing thes andt buttons on the
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system
(page 178).
See separate instruction manual for infor-
mation on how to operate the telephone.
Tele Aid*
Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the Modular COMAND
System
1 if road, weather and traffic condi-
tions 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
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid
system may only be performed by
completing the subscriber agreement
and placing an acquaintance call using
the ¡button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding
activation, please call the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

281 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency


roadside assistance


information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the Modular COMAND System or on the
multifunction steering wheel. To raise, turn
the rotary volume control on Modular
COMAND System clockwise or press
buttonæ on the multifunction steering
wheel. To lower, turn the rotary volume
control on Modular COMAND System con-trol counterclockwise or press
buttonç on the multifunction steering
wheel.

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.iThe SOS button is located in the over-
head control panel.
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located below the center armrest
cover.!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the Modular COMAND System audio is
muted and the selected mode (radio,
CD etc.) pauses. The optional cellular
phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this
phone, we recommend that you use it
only with the vehicle at a standstill in a
safe location. Remove the phone from
the cradle and place the call. The navi-
gation* system (if engaged) will contin-
ue to run. The display in the instrument
cluster is available for use, and spoken
commands are only available by press-
ing the RPT button on the Modular
COMAND System. A pop-up window
will appear in the Modular COMAND
System display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the TeleAid
call has ended, the optional cellular
phone inserted in the cradle switches
on again. A PIN entry might be neces-
sary.