2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320CDI brake

56 Getting startedDrivingKEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 is inserted in the starter
switch (
page 41).
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 67).Gasoline engine

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P (page 147).

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.Diesel engine

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Press KEYLESS-GO start / stop
button1 once.
The engine preglows and starts if the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the
vehicle.
i
If you wish to start the engine using the
SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO feature,
remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from
the starter switch (
page 41).
i
If the engine is at operating temperature,
the time the engine needs to preglow is reduced.

57 Getting started
Driving
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
button from starter switch (
page 41).

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 54). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 515).
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.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle2.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.

58 Getting startedDrivingDriving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.

Shift automatic transmission toD orR
(page 187).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter (gaso-
line engine) or the oxidation catalyst (die-
sel engine) to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
i
Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
i
Shifting from gear positionP to positionR,
N, orD is only possible with the brake pedal
depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed,
the gear selector lever can be moved, but the
parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.
!
If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake
appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 57).
i
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 176).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
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 loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

59 Getting started
Driving
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 325).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 333).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
The low beam headlamps come on.High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 136).
!
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionPorR only when the vehicle is stopped
in order to avoid damaging the transmission.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the
engine.
ML 63 AMG:
At engine temperatures below 68°F (20°C), the
engine’s maximum speed is restricted in order to
protect it from damage. Avoid driving your vehi-
cle at full speed when the engine is cold to pre-
vent premature engine wear and/or diminished
comfort.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain, as a result
of vehicle movement, before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
Warning!
G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the vehi-
cle’s brake lights do not light up when the
parking brake is engaged. Make sure not to
endanger any other road users when you en-
gage the parking brake.

66 Getting startedParking and locking
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 59).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 136).
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 187).

Apply the parking brake (
page 65).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the
automatic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 187).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
i
If the engine cannot be turned off as de-
scribed, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 525).Warning!
G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the en-
gine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to brake and steer the vehicle.i
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting the automatic transmission to positionP
(
page 187).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

96 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


EBP (E
lectronic B
rake P
roportioning)


4-ETS (E
lectronic T
raction S
ystem)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 26) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and ability to steer
the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP
® and 4-ETS cannot
reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
i
In winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®, the EBP, and
the 4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
(
page 399) or snow chains as required.Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

97 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
Off-road – ABS
With the off-road driving program switched
on (
page 268), the ABS designed for
off-road use is automatically activated.
When applying the brakes at speeds below
approximately 18 mph (30 km/h), the
front wheels are locked cyclically to short-
en the braking distance (dig-in effect). This
affects steering the vehicle.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 413).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
the ESP
®, and the 4-ETS are also switched
off. The basic driving and braking functions
are still available.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can pre-
vent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning, but without the addi-
tional brake boost available that BAS would
normally provide in an emergency braking
maneuver. Therefore, the braking distance
may increase.