Page 283 of 539

282 Controls in detailUseful featuresSystem self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than ten seconds or do not come on). The
message
Malfunction. Drive to work-
shop
appears in the multifunction display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly following an accident in which the emer-
gency tensioning devices (ETDs) or
air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 284) for
instructions on initiating an emergency call
manually.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps on the SOS button, on
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or on
the Information button remain illuminated
continuously in red and/or the message Malfunction. Drive to workshop
is
displayed in the multifunction display after
the system self-check, a malfunction in the
system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as
expected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Page 293 of 539

292 Controls in detailUseful featuresStep 3:
Hold the end of the hand-held remote
control transmitter6 of the device
you wish to train approximately 2 to
5 in (5 to12 cm) away from the surface
of the integrated remote control
located on the left side of the interior
rear view mirror, keeping the indicator
lamp4 in view.
Step 4:
Using both hands, simultaneously
press the hand-held transmitter
button5 and the desired integrated
signal transmitter button (1, 2
or3). Do not release the buttons until
completing step 5.
The indicator lamp4 on the
integrated remote control will flash,
first slowly and then rapidly.Step 5:
When the indicator lamp4 flashes
rapidly, release both buttons.
Step 6:
Press and hold the just-trained
integrated signal transmitter button
and observe the indicator lamp4.
If the indicator lamp4 stays on
constantly, programming is complete
and your device should activate when
the integrated signal transmitter
button is pressed and released.Step 7:
To program the remaining two buttons,
repeat the steps above starting with
step 3.
iThe indicator lamp4 flashes the first
time the signal transmitter button is
programmed. If this button has already
been programmed, the indicator lamp
will only start flashing after
20 seconds.
iIf the indicator lamp4 flashes rapidly
for about two seconds and then turns
to a constant light, continue with
programming steps 8 through 12 as
your garage door opener may be
equipped with the “rolling code”
feature.
Page 318 of 539

317 Operation
Driving instructions
Plug in all electrical connectors.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be le-
gal, not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the po-
lice or local authorities.
Note the following points, when driving
with the trailer:
In order to gain skill and an under-
standing of the vehicle’s behavior, you
should practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.
Before you start driving check the
trailer hitch
break-away switch
safety chains
electrical connections
lighting and tires
Adjust the mirrors to permit unobstructed
view beyond rear of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.
Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.
The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.
iWhen you are towing a trailer, the vehi-
cle level always remains in the Highway
setting.
Page 377 of 539

376 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the mir-
rors.iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 378) and the
wiper blade inserts (page 378). This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inad-
vertently locked or unlocked.
Page 423 of 539

422 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Turn signal, rear left
Substitute bulb on
The left rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, rear right
Substitute bulb on
The right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, front left
Substitute bulb on
The left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal, front right
Substitute bulb on
The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A substitute
bulb is being used.
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal in
mirror, left
The left turn signal in the side
mirror is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Turn signal in
mirror, right
The right turn signal in the side
mirror is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Page 446 of 539
445 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center:
Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors
Bi-Xenon lamps*
Front fog lamps (vehicles with sport
package*)
High mounted brake lamp
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 138).
Open the hood (
page 326).
1Housing cover for low beam halogen or
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam halogen
bulb (vehicles with halogen bulbs: high
beam and high beam flasher; vehicles
with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: high beam
flasher only)
3Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulb
4Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
5Bulb socket for side marker lamp bulb
Page 492 of 539
491 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
Model
ML 350, ML 500
Overall vehicle length
188.5 in (4788 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded out)
83.7 in (2127 mm)
Vehicle width (exterior rear view mirrors folded in)
76.0 in (1930 mm)
Overall vehicle height (vehicle with steel suspension)
71.5 in (1815 mm)
Overall vehicle height, depending on set vehicle level
(vehicle with air suspension package*)
69.8 in-73.0 in (1774 mm-1854 mm)
Wheelbase
114.8 in (2915 mm)
Track, front
64.0 in (1627 mm)
Track, rear
64.1 in (1629 mm)
Ground clearance (vehicle with steel suspension)
8.3 in (210 mm)
Ground clearance, depending on set vehicle level (vehicle
with air suspension package*)
7.1 in-10.3 in (181 mm-261 mm)
Turning radius
39 ft (11.6 m)
Page 505 of 539

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