2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 cruise control

243 Controls in detail
Driving systems

Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 239).
The vehicle speed decreases in incre-
ments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly pull the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 239).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately five sec-
onds.
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle
will decelerate. Keep in mind that it
may take a brief moment until the vehi-
cle has reached the set speed.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
Warning!
G
Downhill Speed Regulation is a convenience
system designed to assist the driver during
vehicle operation. The system must be set
to be appropriate for the topographical and
weather conditions encountered which can
change quickly. The driver is and must
remain at all times responsible for the vehi-
cle speed and for safe brake operation.
Depending on the programmed speed
(page 176), actual vehicle speed and gra-
dient, switching on the DSR while driving
can cause the vehicle to slow down rapidly
and you may hear a sound which is caused
by the activation of the vehicle’s brake sys-
tem through the DSR. Sudden and unex-
pected decelaration can result in loss of
vehicle control, causing an accident and/or
serious personal injury to you and others.
Do not switch on the DSR in a circumstance
where rapid decelaration could result in a
loss of vehicle control.

244 Controls in detailDriving systemsFor more information, see “Off-road driv-
ing” (
page 306).
The DSR is an aid for driving downhill. DSR
regulates your vehicle’s speed when driv-
ing downhill to the value set in the control
system (page 176). The steeper the
downhill gradient is, the greater the brake
application. On flat road surfaces, DSR
brakes only slightly or not at all.
DSR regulates the vehicle’s speed in auto-
matic transmission positionsD, orR.
You can drive slower or faster than the set
speed at any time by braking the vehicle or
depressing the accelerator pedal.
iWhenever DSR is switched on, DSR will
use the programmed default speed to
regulate the vehicle’s speed. The de-
fault speed programmed at the factory
is 4 mph (Canada: 6 km / h). The de-
fault speed can be reprogrammed us-
ing the control system (
page 176).
The next time DSR is switched on, DSR
will use the newly programmed default
speed to regulate the vehicle’s speed.
Once DSR is switched on, you can ad-
just the set speed using the cruise con-
trol lever (
page 238). Keep in mind
that adjusting the set speed using the
cruise control lever with DSR switched
on will not change the programmed de-
fault speed. If DSR is switched off and
then switched on again, DSR will use
the programmed default speed.
Whenever the DSR is switched on, the
programmed default speed will be
used. That value can be changed
through the multifunction display. The
next time the DSR is switched on, it will
use that newly programmed default
speed.
Depending on the road surface and lev-
el of downhill grade, the DSR may not
be able to maintain the set speed. To
maintain the set speed, apply the
brakes if necessary.

246 Controls in detailDriving systemsFor information on how to program the set
speed while driving, see “Adjusting Down-
hill Speed Regulation speed with DSR
switched on” (
page 246).Switching Downhill Speed Regulation off

Press DSR switch1 (
page 245).
The indicator lamp2 goes out.
The message
DSR off
appears in the
multifunction display.Adjusting Downhill Speed Regulation
speed with DSR switched on
With the DSR switched on (
page 245),
the speed setting can be changed using
the cruise control lever.
Cruise control lever1Increase set speed
2Reduce set speed
You can change the set speed between
3 - 10 mph (Canada: 4 - 18 km/h).
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 23).
iIf the DSR is switched on at a speed
above 18 mph (Canada: 30 km/h), the
message
DSR Cannot be activated,
Speed too high
appears in the multi-
function display.
iAt a speed above approximately
21 mph (Canada approx.: 35 km/h),
the DSR is automatically switched off.
The message
DSR off
appears in the
multifunction display and an acoustic
signal sounds.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
You can increase or reduce the set speed
in two stages.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Increase set speed:
Lift the cruise control lever to the resis-
tance point in direction of arrow1
(page 246) and hold it up until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.Reduce set speed:

Press the cruise control lever to the re-
sistance point in direction of arrow2
(page 246) and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Each time the set speed is changed, DSR
will appear in the multifunction dis-
play and the changed set speed is
shown.Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Increase set speed:

Briefly lift the cruise control lever up
past the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 246).

Release the cruise control lever.
Reduce set speed:

Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 246).
iThe set value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each
time you lift or depress the cruise con-
trol lever to the resistance point.
iThe set speed is canceled when DSR is
switched off. If DSR is switched on
again, DSR will use the programmed
default speed (
page 176).
iThe set speed is increased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each
time you lift or depress the cruise con-
trol lever past the resistance point.


248 Controls in detailDriving systems
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Each time the set speed is changed, DSR
will appear in the multifunction dis-
play and the newly set speed is shown.
Off-road driving program
The off-road driving program is designed to
assist the driver when driving off-road in
terrain and crossing water. The off-road
driving program adjusts the engine power
and shifting of the automatic transmission
to be more suitable for the off-road use of
the vehicle. In addition, the ABS, ESP
®,
and 4-ETS designed for off-road use are
automatically activated.
In the following situations you should
switch to the Off-road driving program:


during off-road driving


when crossing water


when towing up or down on steep
gradientsThe switch is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Switch for Off-road driving program
2Indicator lamp
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle
will accelerate or decelerate. Keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has reached the new
set speed.iThe set speed is canceled when DSR is
switched off. If DSR is switched on
again, DSR will use the programmed
default speed (
page 176).


304 OperationDriving instructionsML 350
ML 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
ML 350 (with Sport Package*)
ML 500 (with Sport Package*)
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
m ove gea r s el ec tor le ver to pos it ionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
iFor information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “Winter tires”
(page 369).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 367).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 370).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

398 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ABS was deactivated because of
insufficient power supply. The charg-
ing voltage has fallen below ten
volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.

Switch off electrical consumers that are
currently not needed, e.g. seat heating*.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and the battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
Battery
protection
Convenience functs.
Temporarily
Unavailable
The battery has insufficient voltage
and can no longer supply conve-
nience functions such as the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
the consumers will switch on again.
Please note:
Convenience Functions
Available again
On-board voltage is sufficient; the
consumers will switch on again.
Cruise
control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
DSR
Malfunction
Downhill Speed Regulation is
malfunctioning.

Have the Downhill Speed Regulation
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.

413 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems
have malfunctioned. Some sys-
tems themselves may also have
malfunctioned.

Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are
unable to relay information to
the control system. The follow-
ing systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
J

Doors open
Door open
You are attempting to drive with
one or more doors open.

Close the doors.