2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Parktronic aid

ContentsDriving systems ................................. 238
Cruise control............................... 238
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 243
Off-road driving program .............. 248
Air suspension package* ............. 249
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 249
Vehicle level control* ................... 250
Parktronic* system
(Parking assist) ............................. 254
Loading .............................................. 259
Loading instructions ..................... 259
,Split rear bench seat ................... 261
Partition net* ............................... 263
Cargo compartment cover*.......... 265
Cargo management system*........ 265
Roof rack* .................................... 269Useful features .................................. 270
Storage compartments ................ 270
Cup holders.................................. 274
Armrest in rear seat bench........... 275
Ashtrays* ..................................... 275
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 277
12-V sockets ................................ 277
Floormats* ................................... 279
Telephone* .................................. 279
Tele Aid* ...................................... 280
Garage door opener ..................... 289
Compass ...................................... 295
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 296
Operation......................................... 297
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 298
Driving instructions ........................... 299
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 299
Drinking and driving ..................... 299
Pedals .......................................... 299
Power assistance ......................... 299
Brakes.......................................... 300
Driving off .................................... 301
Parking......................................... 301
Tires ............................................. 302
Hydroplaning................................ 303
Tire traction ................................. 303
Tire speed rating .......................... 303
Winter driving instructions ........... 304
Standing water............................. 305
Off-road driving ............................ 306
Trailer towing ............................... 314
Passenger compartment .............. 319
Driving abroad ............................. 319
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 320
Catalytic converter....................... 320
Emission control .......................... 321
Coolant temperature.................... 322

238 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.


Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR),
which supports you when you are
driving downhill.


Off-road driving program, which
supports you when you are driving
off-road.


Air suspension package* which adjusts
the vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and controls the vehicle
level.


Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBB,
ESP®, and 4-ETS driving systems, see
“Driving safety systems” (
page 93).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
iThe cruise control should not be acti-
vated during off-road driving.
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

254 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen the highway/high-speed level is
reached, the following message appears in
the multifunction display for five seconds:
Indicator lamp2 (
page 252) goes out.The following applies additionally when
towing a trailer:


The vehicle is lowered to the highway
level when it reaches a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h).


The high-speed level is not available.


The restrictions that apply to towing
also apply when using accessories that
are connected to the trailer power
socket, such as an accessory bicycle
rack.
Parktronic* system (Parking assist)
iThe vehicle is lowered to the highway
level if:

the vehicle speed is above 55 mph
(88 km/h)


the speed stays between 40 mph
(64km/h) and 55mph (88km/h)
for approximately 20 seconds
iDepending on the ADS setting
(page 249), the vehicle will be low-
ered to the high-speed level when trav-
eling at higher speeds. At speeds below
40 mph (64 km/h) at the latest, it will
be returned to the highway level.
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 377).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.


255 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you switch on the ignition,
release the parking brake, and set the
automatic transmission toD,R, orN.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
toP or depress the parking brake pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumper
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 377).
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

514 IndexDoors
Message in display 413
Opening from inside vehicle 117
Opening from outside 108
DOT 365
Downhill driving
Cruise control 240
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) 243
Switching off 245
Switching on 245
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 299
Drive sensibly-save fuel 299
Driving 46, 52
Abroad 319
In winter 304
Problems 58
Safety systems 93
Through standing water 305Driving abroad 319
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer 317
Driving off 301
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 98
ABS 93
BAS 95
ESP
®
95
Driving systems 238
Cruise control 238
Driving safety systems 93
EBP 98
Parktronic* 254
Driving through water 310
Driving tips 190
Accelerator position 190
Kickdown 190E
Easy-entry/exit feature
Vehicles with memory function* 128
Easy-entry/exit feature*
Activating 173
EBP 98
Electrical connections
Trailer 314
Electrical fuses 477
Electrical system
Technical data 490
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program
® see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency
Unlocking and opening
the tailgate in an 437
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 284
With Tele Aid* 282
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 192

524 IndexPoly-V-belt drive 504
Layout (ML 350) 485
Layout (ML 500) 485
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 136
Storing in memory 136
Potential problems associated
with underinflated and
overinflated tires 354
Power assistance 299
Power outlets
12-V sockets 277
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 40
Adjusting head restraint height 40
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 40
Adjusting seat height 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 39
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 235
Closing 439
Opening 439
Power train 504
Power washer 375Power windows
Blocking of rear door window
operation 89
Side windows 230
Synchronizing 232
Practical hints
First aid kit 430
Fuses 477
Jump starting 470
Lamp in center console 393
Lamps in instrument cluster 382
Messages in the display 395
Spare wheel 433
Vehicle jack 431
Vehicle tool kit 430
Premium unleaded gasoline 496
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 18
Product information 9
Production options weight 366
PSI 366, 367Q
Quick search
Phone book* 180
R
Radio
Selecting stations 157
Selecting stations (satellite*) 157
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 320
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 178
Range of the sensors
Parktronic* system 255
Rear automatic climate control 227, 228
Rear climate control 213
Rear door window
Blocking operation 89
Rear fog lamp
Indicator lamp 138
Switching on 142
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 450

534 IndexUnlocking and opening
Tailgate with KEYLESS-GO* 115
Unlocking the vehicle
Removing the mechanical key 435
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 33
Uphill driving
Cruise control 240
Upholstery
Cleaning 380
Useful features 270
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter* 275
Cup holder 274
Garage door opener 289
Power outlet 277
Storage compartments 270
Tele Aid* 280
Telephone* 279V
Vehicle
Data recording 20
Individual settings 161, 163
Locking in an emergency 436
Lowering 460
Proper use of 17
Unlocking in an emergency 435
Vehicle and trailer weights and
ratings 315
Vehicle capacity weight 367Vehicle care
Carpet 379
Cup holder 379
Engine cleaning 376
Gear selector lever 379
Hard plastic trim items 379
Headlamps 377
Instrument cluster 379
Leather upholstery* 380
Light alloy wheels 379
MB Tex upholstery 380
Ornamental moldings 377
Paintwork 375
Parktronic* system sensor 377
Plastic and rubber parts 380
Power washer 375
Seat belts 379
Side markers 377
Steering wheel 379
Tail lamps 377
Tar stains 375
Turn signal lenses 377
Upholstery 380
Vehicle washing 376
Window cleaning 378
Wiper blades 378