2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Smart key

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.

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.

503 Technical terms
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD or DVD digital
maps for navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo. The GVW must never
exceed the GVWR, indicated on the
certification label located on the driv-
er’s door pillar.GVWR
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight. It is indicated on certifica-
tion label located on the driver’s door
pillar.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 366)Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 366)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 366)

509 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Adjusting air distribution 222
Adjusting air volume 222
Air recirculation mode 223
Defrosting 223
Rear passenger compartment 227
Rear window defroster 200
Residual heat utilization 226
Residual ventilation 226
Setting the temperature 221
Automatic climate control*
3-zone automatic climate
control* 216
Automatic climate control* (3-zone) 216
Automatic headlamp mode 139
Automatic lighting control
Deactivating 146
Automatic locking when driving 125Automatic transmission 49
Accelerator position 190
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 192
Gear ranges 187
Gear selector lever position 184, 185
Gear shifting malfunctions 192
Gearshift pattern for 49
Kickdown 190
Towing a trailer 191
Transmission fluid 332
B
Backrest
Folding forward 261
Backup lamps 444, 451
Bulbs 444
Bar 365, 501
BAS 95, 501
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 109, 115Batteries, vehicle
Messages in display 398, 407
Battery
Key batteries 440
Replacing key batteries 440
Battery discharged
Jump starting 470
Battery, vehicle 462
Charging 469
Dis-/reconnecting 464
Removing/installing 464
Bead 365, 501
Belt reel 267
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 501
Block heater (Canada only) 370
Blocking
Rear door window operation 89
Brake assist system (BAS) 501
Brake fluid 495
Message in display 409
Brake lamp bulbs 444

510 IndexBrake pads
Message in display 408
Brakes 300
Warning lamp 383
Break-in period 298
Bulbs, replacing 443
Additional turn signals 443
Backup lamps 444
Brake lamps 444
Fog lamps 443
Front fog lamp 449
Front lamps 443
High beam 443
License plate lamps 444, 451
Low beam 443
Parking, standing lamp 443
Rear fog lamps 450
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 450
Side marker lamp 443
Side marker lamps 444
Turn signal lamps 443, 444C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 501
Calibrating
Compass 171
California
Important notice 11
Call priority
Tele Aid* 287
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 178
Service indicator 372
CAN system 501
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 493
Cargo compartment
Fuse box in 479
Interior lighting 145
Lamp 147
Tie-down rings 260
Cargo compartment cover* 265
Closing 265
Installing 265
Opening 265
Removing 265
Cargo tie-down rings 260Carpet
Cleaning 379
Catalytic converter 320
CD player
Operating 158
Center console 27
Lower part 28
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 393
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 125
Switch 126
Switching on/off
(control system) 172
Unlocking from inside 126
Central locking switch 126
Certification label 484
Changing
SmartKey setting 173
Charging
Vehicle battery 469
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 385, 386

518 IndexI
Identification labels 484
Certification label 484
Ignition 34
Switching on 50
Immobilizer 100
Activating 100
Deactivating 100
Important guidelines 335
Infant and child restraint systems 78
Installing 87
LATCH type child seat mounts 88
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 286
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 195
Installing
Front wiper blades 453
Infant and child restraint systems 87
Rear wiper blade 455
Vehicle battery 464Installing towing eye bolt
Towing the vehicle 474
Instrument cluster 24, 148, 503
Cleaning 379
Illumination 148
Lamps in 388
Outside temperature indicator 149
Selecting language 164
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Integrated remote control
Erasing memory 294
Operating 294
Interior lighting 145
Deactivating automatic control 146
Delayed switch-off 170
Manual operation 146
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 44
Intermittent wiping 56J
Jack 431
Jump starting 470
K
Key, Mechanical 435
KEYLESS-GO* 503
Closing
Tailgate 123, 124
Closing side windows 234
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 234
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 116
Starting the engine 50
Turning off engine 63
Unlocking and opening, tailgate 115
Unlocking with 33
Kickdown 190, 503
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 164
Kilopascal 366
Km/h or mph in speedometer 164

519 Index
L
Labels, identification 484
Lamp bulbs, exterior 443
Lamps, exterior
Front 443
Light sensor 420
Messages in display 418, 420
Rear 444
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 382
Air bag Off 72
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 114
Battery (SmartKey) 108
Brakes 383
CHECK ENGINE 385, 386
CHECK Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 386
Engine diagnostics 385, 386
ESP
®
387
Front fog lamps 138
Fuel reserve 388
Rear fog lamp 138
Seat belts 388, 389
SRS 390Language
Multifunction display 164
Setting 164
LATCH type child seat anchors 88
LATCH type child seat mounts 88
Layout of poly-V-belt drive (ML 350) 485
Layout of poly-V-belt drive (ML 500) 485
Leather upholstery*
Cleaning 380
Lever
For cruise control 238
License plate lamps
Messages in display 419
Replacing bulbs 444, 451
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 379
Light sensor 420
Lighter see cigarette lighterLighting 138
Automatic headlamp mode 139
Cargo compartment lamp 147
Daytime running lamp mode 140
Door entry lamps 147
Front fog lamps 142
High beams 142
Instrument cluster illumination 148
Interior 145
Locator lighting 141
Low beam 138
Manual headlamp mode 139
Night security illumination 141
Parking lamps 138
Rear fog lamp 142
Settings (control system) 167
Standing lamps 138
Limiting the gear range 187
Limp Home Mode 192
Line of fall 503