2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 steering wheel

395 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 159) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 24) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 24) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel. They are
then stored in the vehicle status message
memory (
page 159). Remember that
clearing a message will only make the mes-
sage disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

397 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP
® and
the BAS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking, re-
ducing steering capability

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.

405 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive
Run Flat Indicator is malfunctioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about
a loss in the tire inflation pressure
and the Run Flat Indicator has not
been reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set
for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable
The Run Flat Indicator has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Tire pressure
Check tires
The Run Flat Indicator indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic sit-
uation around you.

Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(page 348).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 457).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure values (
page 350).

408 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached
their wear limit.

Brake pad thickness must be visually in-
spected at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Changed braking behavior
Drive with extreme care
A malfunction in the Electronic
Brake Proportioning (
page 98)
was detected.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the dis-
play.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

423 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Please rectify
tire pressure
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

Check and correct tire inflation pressure as
required.
Caution
Tire defect
One or more tires are deflating.
The respective tire is shown in the
multifunction display.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.

If necessary, change the wheel.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

424 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
H
Check tires
The tire pressure in one or more tires is
already below the minimum value.
The respective tire is shown in the
multifunction display.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers.

Check and adjust tire pressure as
required.

If necessary, change the wheel.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

456 Practical hintsFlat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.

Set the parking brake.

Shift automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Vehicles with Air suspension package*:

Do not open or close a door or tailgate
while mounting the spare wheel.
Vehicles with SmartKey:

Turn off the engine (
page 34).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:

Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once
(page 63).

Open the driver’s door (this puts the
starter switch in position0, same as
with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch). The driver’s door then
can be closed again.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted
Minispare wheel. Adapt your driving style
accordingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire pressure and
do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
Minispare wheel replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.

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.