2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Transfer case

Contents
Control system .................................. 150
Multifunction display .................... 150
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 151
Menus .......................................... 153
Standard display menu ................ 156
AUDIO menu ................................ 157
NAV* menu .................................. 158
Off-road menu .............................. 159
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 159
Settings menu .............................. 161
Vehicle configuration ................... 175
Trip computer menu..................... 177
TEL menu* ................................... 178
Automatic transmission ..................... 182
Gear selector lever ....................... 182
Shifting procedure ....................... 184
Transmission positions................. 185
Gear ranges ................................. 187
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 188
Shifting into optimal gear range ... 190
Canceling gear range limit ........... 190
Driving tips ................................... 190
Towing a trailer ............................ 191
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 192Transfer case ...................................... 193
Good visibility ..................................... 194
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 194
Rear view mirrors.......................... 194
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors*......................... 197
Sun visors ..................................... 198
Rear window defroster .................. 200
Climate control ................................... 202
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 206
Rear air conditioning ..................... 206
Setting the temperature................ 207
Adjusting air distribution............... 207
Adjusting air volume ..................... 208
Defrosting ..................................... 208
Air recirculation mode .................. 209
Air conditioning............................. 211
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 212
Rear air conditioning ..................... 2133-zone automatic climate control* ..... 216
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 220
Rear air conditioning..................... 221
Setting the temperature ............... 221
Adjusting air distribution .............. 222
Adjusting air volume ..................... 222
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 223
Defrosting ..................................... 223
Air recirculation mode .................. 223
Air conditioning ............................ 225
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 226
Rear air conditioning..................... 227
Power windows .................................. 230
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 230
Synchronizing power windows ...... 232
Summer opening feature .............. 233
Convenience closing feature......... 234
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 235
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 235
Synchronizing the
power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 237

105 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Transfer case
Good visibility
Climate control
3-zone automatic climate control*
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

193 Controls in detail
Transfer case
Transfer case
For more information on Off-road driving,
see “Off-road driving” (
page 306).
!Because off the ESP’s
® automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch
position1) when testing the brakes on
a brake test dynamometer and such
testing should be no longer than
10 seconds. Active braking action
through the ESP
® may otherwise
seriously damage the front or rear axle
brake system.
Operational or performance tests with
the engine running must only be con-
ducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise, the transfer case or the
brake system can be damaged, which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iThe vehicle is equipped with full-time
four-wheel drive. Both the front and
rear axles are powered at all times
when the vehicle is being operated.

298 OperationIn the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle.The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.


During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive
engine speeds (no more than
2/3 of
maximum rpm in each gear).


Shift gears in a timely manner.


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.


Select positions3, 2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine
speeds to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when driv-
ing the first 1000 miles (1500 km) after
the engine, the transfer case, the front dif-
ferential or the rear differential has been
replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.

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.

473 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:

With damage to the front axle

raise front axle


remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case


With damage to the rear axle

raise rear axle


tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels


With damage to the transfer case

remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usu-
al manner – only the selected turn sig-
nal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

493 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore only use products tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
ML 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
ML 500
9.1 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.6 US qt (9.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case single speed
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Front axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil
Power steering
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease

504 Technical termsMaximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 366)
Modular COMAND System
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror
positions.
MON
(Motor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 366)
OCS
(Occupant C
lassification S
ystem)
The system automatically turns the
front passenger front air bag on or off
based on the classified occupant size
category determined by weight sensor
readings from the seat.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case


Drive shaft


Differential


Axle shafts/axles