181 Controls in detail
Control system
Resetting fuel consumption statistics
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the message
From start
appears
in the multifunction display.
Press and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (
page 145) until
the value is reset to 0.
Fuel consumption statistics since the
last reset
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the message
From start
appears
in the multifunction display.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
After reset
appears
in the multifunction display.1Distance driven since last reset
2Time elapsed since last reset
3Average speed since last reset
4Average fuel consumption since last
reset
Resetting fuel consumption statistics
manually
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the message
From start
appears
in the multifunction display.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
After reset
appears
in the multifunction display.
Press and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (
page 145) until
the value is reset to 0.Distance to empty
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the message
From start
appears
in the multifunction display.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until the message
Range:
appears in
the multifunction display.
The calculated remaining driving range
based on the current fuel tank level
appears in the multifunction display.
i
The fuel consumption statistics reset auto-
matically to 0 when either of the following values
is exceeded:
distance covered: 100 000 miles
time elapsed: 10 000 hours
197 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button2
(page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.If you have selected the AMG menu in the
control system and you are driving in the
manual program modeM, upshift
indicator2 in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you
can drive at the maximum engine speed for
each gear without overrevving the engine.
1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicator
Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.Downshifting
Briefly press left shift button1
(page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
i
The manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.
!
In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrewing range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
rewing range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.i
When you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or drive off.
270 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following settings are available:
AUTO (for normal driving situations)
Indicator lamps2 and3 are off.
SPORT (for sporty driving)
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
With the ADS SPORT setting, the vehi-
cle is lowered approximately 0.6 in
(15 mm).
ML 63 AMG:
The vehicle is lowered approximately
0.3 in (8 mm).
COMF (for comfort driving)
Indicator lamp3 comes on.
ML 63 AMG:
The vehicle is raised approximately
0.28 in (7 mm).
Start the engine (
page 39).
Press ADS switch1 repeatedly until
the desired suspension tuning is
reached.
Vehicle level control*
The vehicle level control automatically
regulates the ride height to
reduce fuel consumption
improve driving stability by lowering
the center of gravity
The vehicle automatically regulates its ride
height based on the set vehicle height and
the current speed:
As your driving speed increases, the ve-
hicle is lowered by increments until it
reaches high-speed level.
If you are driving with the ADS setting
COMF or AUTO, the vehicle is raised
back to highway level as your driving
speed decreases.
You can select the high-speed level via
the ADS setting SPORT. In ADS Sport,
the vehicle is lowered directly to
high-speed level as your driving speed
increases.The parked vehicle begins adjusting to the
set vehicle level as soon the doors and tail-
gate are
unlocked
or
opened or closed with the vehicle
unlocked
In order to operate the vehicle level control
switch (
page 271), however, the engine
must be running.
i
The setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you lower
the vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs
could become wedged into or under the ve-
hicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door or
the tailgate is opened and will continue after
the door is closed again.
273 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Raised level
Only select the raised level if appropriate
for the driving situation encountered.
Otherwise:
Fuel consumption may increase.
Handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable.
Start the engine (
page 40).
If indicator lamp2 (page 271) is off.
Press switch1 (
page 271).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display while the level is being
set:
When the raised level is reached, indicator
lamp2 (
page 271) comes on continu-
ously and the following message appears
in the multifunction display for 5 seconds:Highway level
Start the engine (
page 40).
If indicator lamp2 (page 271) is on.
Press switch1 (
page 271).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
i
You can select the raised level at speeds up
to 40 mph (64 km/h). At higher speeds, the
messagen
Level selection not
permitted appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i
The message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
!
Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
282 Controls in detailLoadingLoad distributionThe gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 530). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 530).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 369).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:
Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.
The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
i
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 284) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.
313 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. For
services such as labor and/or towing,
charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance Manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:
Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Information button¡
Open the storage tray (
page 296).
Press and hold button1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting call
will appear
in the multifunction display.
i
The indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the Informa-
tion button¡).
See system self-check (
page 309) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network was not available).
The message
Call failed
appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing thet button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the END Button on the COMAND
system.
325 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:
Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.
Remove unnecessary loads.
Remove carriers* when not in use.
Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.
Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traf-
fic, on short trips and in hilly areas.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedal’s range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
the pedals. You could then no longer brake
or accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.
342 OperationDriving instructions
Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.
Check tires for possible damage.
Inspect vehicle underbody, oil pan,
brake hoses, etc., as well as vehicle un-
derbody for possible damage.
Check for brush or branches caught in
the underbody.
After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.
Conduct a brake test.
Trailer towing Trailer hitch*
Only install a trailer hitch receiver ap-
proved for your vehicle.
For information on availability and in-
stallation, see an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
designed for use with clamp-type hitch-
es.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, re-
move the hitch ball adaptor from the
receiver when not in use.
!
Brush or branches could increase the possi-
bility of a fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the axles or
drive shafts.
Warning!
G
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions in this manual can result in vehi-
cle damage and/or serious personal injury.
Follow the guidelines below carefully to as-
sure safe trailer operation.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center should you require an explana-
tion of information contained in this manual.