2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Radio

ContentsDriving systems ................................. 238
Cruise control............................... 238
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 243
Off-road driving program .............. 248
Air suspension package* ............. 249
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 249
Vehicle level control* ................... 250
Parktronic* system
(Parking assist) ............................. 254
Loading .............................................. 259
Loading instructions ..................... 259
,Split rear bench seat ................... 261
Partition net* ............................... 263
Cargo compartment cover*.......... 265
Cargo management system*........ 265
Roof rack* .................................... 269Useful features .................................. 270
Storage compartments ................ 270
Cup holders.................................. 274
Armrest in rear seat bench........... 275
Ashtrays* ..................................... 275
Cigarette lighter* ......................... 277
12-V sockets ................................ 277
Floormats* ................................... 279
Telephone* .................................. 279
Tele Aid* ...................................... 280
Garage door opener ..................... 289
Compass ...................................... 295
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 296
Operation......................................... 297
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 298
Driving instructions ........................... 299
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 299
Drinking and driving ..................... 299
Pedals .......................................... 299
Power assistance ......................... 299
Brakes.......................................... 300
Driving off .................................... 301
Parking......................................... 301
Tires ............................................. 302
Hydroplaning................................ 303
Tire traction ................................. 303
Tire speed rating .......................... 303
Winter driving instructions ........... 304
Standing water............................. 305
Off-road driving ............................ 306
Trailer towing ............................... 314
Passenger compartment .............. 319
Driving abroad ............................. 319
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 320
Catalytic converter....................... 320
Emission control .......................... 321
Coolant temperature.................... 322

51 Getting started
Driving

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 63).Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:

If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.

If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better
detection of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Or:

Remove KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton from starter switch.

Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.

Repeat the starting procedure
(page 49). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 470).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iIf you wish to start the engine using the
SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO
feature, remove the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button from starter switch
(page 35).

151 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under
AUDIO
, for example). These
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your
vehicle.
1
Multifunction displayOperating the control system
2
Telephone*
Press buttonsto take a call
to dial a calltto end a call
to reject an incoming call
3
Selecting the submenu or setting
the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
4
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
5
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu

154 Controls in detailControl systemMenus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Off-road
Vehicle status
message memory
Settings
(page 156)
(page 157)
(page 158)
(page 159)
(page 159)
(page 161)
Commands/submenusTrip odometer and
Main odometer
Select radio station
Show route guid-
ance instructions,
current direction
traveled
Compass
Call up vehicle mal-
function, warning
and system status
messages stored in
memory
Reset to factory set-
tings
Check tire inflation
pressure
Select satellite radio*
station
Vehicle level*
Instrument cluster
submenu
Check coolant temper-
ature
Operate CD player
Time/Date sub-
menu
Digital speedometer/
outside temperature
Lighting submenu
Call up maintenance
service indicator
Vehicle submenu
Check engine oil level*
Convenience sub-
menu

157 Controls in detail
Control system
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO
menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF
is shown in the
display.
The following functions are available:Select radio station

Turn on the Modular COMAND System
and select radio. Refer to separate
Modular COMAND System operating
instructions.

Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the currently tuned sta-
tion in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Station frequency

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired station is found.Select satellite radio station* (USA
only)
The satellite radio is treated as a radio ap-
plication.

Select satellite radio with the corre-
sponding key on the Modular COMAND
System.
1SAT mode and preset number
2Channel name or number
Function
Page
Select radio station
157
Select satellite radio station*
(USA only)
157
Operate CD player
158
iYou can only store new stations using
the corresponding feature on the radio,
see separate Modular COMAND
System operating instructions.
You can also operate the radio in the
usual manner.


158 Controls in detailControl system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired channel is found.Operate the CD player

Turn on the Modular COMAND System
and press AUDIO on the COMAND
headunit until you see the CD soft keys
for CD operation. Refer to separate
Modular COMAND System operating
instructions.

Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the display for the CD
currently being played in the multifunc-
tion display.
1Current CD (for CD changer*)
2Current track

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired track is selected.
NAV* menu
The
NAV
menu contains the functions
needed to operate your navigation system.

Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the navigation display in
the multifunction display:


If the Modular COMAND System is
switched off, the message
NAV off
is
shown in the display.


With the Modular COMAND System
switched on but route guidance not
activated, the direction of travel and, if
available, the name of the street cur-
rently traveled on appear in the multi-
function display.
iFeature description is based on prelim-
inary information available at time of
printing.
Additional optional satellite radio
equipment and a subscription to satel-
lite radio service provider are required
for satellite radio operation. At time of
printing, no date for the availability of
optional equipment required for satel-
lite radio operation had been set. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for details and avail-
ability for your vehicle.
For more information, refer to separate
Modular COMAND System operating
instructions.
iTo select a CD from the magazine,
press a number on the Modular
COMAND system key pad located in
the center console.


179 Controls in detail
Control system
You can use the functions in the
TEL
menu
to operate your telephone, provided it is
connected to a hands-free system and
switched on.

Switch on the telephone and Modular
COMAND system.

Press buttonÿ orè on the
steering wheel repeatedly until you see
the
TEL
menu in the display.Which messages will appear in the display
field depends on whether your telephone is
switched on or off:


If the telephone is off, the message in
the multifunction display is:
PHONE OFF
.


If the telephone is on:
The telephone will then search for a
network. During this time the display is
empty.
As soon as the telephone has found a
network,
READY
appears in the display.
This standby message indicates that your
telephone is ready for use and you can op-
erate it using the control system.Answering a call
When your telephone is ready to receive
calls, you can answer a call at any time. In
the display you will then see the message:

Press buttons.
You have answered the call. In the dis-
play you see the length of the call.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
iIf you do not wish to accept a call,
press buttont.

258 Controls in detailDriving systems
Parktronic* system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after
20 seconds.

Switch off the ignition (
page 34).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 377).

Switch on the ignition.
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
iThe message
Parktronic on
reappears
as soon as the system senses that you
get closer to the object again, even if
you cleared the message before by
pressingèÿk or
buttonj on the multifunction
steering wheel.
iThe Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is
switched on.
Vehicles with original equipment
Mercedes-Benz Trailer Hitch Kit:
The rear Parktronic sensor will auto-
matically disengage when towing a
trailer as soon as the electrical connec-
tion between the vehicle and the trailer
has been established.