2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320CDI ESP

237 Controls in detail
Power windows
Opening the door windows
Press switch1, 2, 3, or4
(page 236) to the resistance point.
The corresponding door window moves
downwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the door windows

Pull switch1, 2, 3, or4
(page 236) to the resistance point.
The corresponding door window moves
upwards until you release the switch.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing a door window by pulling and
holding the switch, or by pressing and hold-
ing button‹on the SmartKey, by press-
ing and holding the lock button (vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO*) on a door handle, the
automatic reversal function will not operate.
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. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment can cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
i
You can also open or close the windows
using the SmartKey, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (page 239) and see “Convenience clos-
ing feature” (
page 239).
Depending on the current position, the power
windows may also open or close when the air
recirculation button: on the control panel of
the climate control (
page 208) or automatic
climate control* (
page 222) is pressed and
held.
i
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or removed from the starter switch,
the windows can be operated


until you open the driver’s or front passenger
door


for at least 5 minutes
Warning!
G
If you pull and hold the switch up when clos-
ing the door window, and upward movement
of the door window is blocked by some ob-
struction including but not limited to arms,
hands, fingers, etc., the automatic reversal
will not operate.

238 Controls in detailPower windowsFully opening the door windows
(Express-open)
Press switch1, 2, 3, or4
(page 236) past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window opens
completely.
Fully closing the door windows
(Express-close)

Pull switch1, 2, 3, or4
(page 236) past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window closes
completely.If the upward movement of a door window
is blocked during the closing procedure,
the door window will stop and open slight-
ly.

Remove the obstruction.

Pull the respective power window
switch past the resistance point again
and release.
Stopping door windows during
Express-operation

Press or pull respective power window
switch again.
Synchronizing the door windows
The door windows must be resynchronized

after the battery was disconnected


if the door windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close)

Close all doors.

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Pull and hold power window switch1,
2,3, or4 (
page 236).
Once a door window is closed com-
pletely, hold the respective switch for
approximately 3 seconds.
The door window is synchronized.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds switch is again pulled
past the resistance point and released, the
automatic reversal will not function.
i
If the door window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, pull and hold the respec-
tive power window switch. The door window will
then close without the obstruction sensor
function.
i
Each door window must be resynchronized
separately.

245 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (
page 245) and
Distronic* (
page 250), with which
the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.


Distance warning function*
(page 263) is only available with
Distronic*, which warns of stationary
obstacle or slower moving vehicles that
you are closing in on too quickly.


Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(page 264), which supports you
when you are driving downhill.


Off-road driving program (
page 268),
which supports you when you are driv-
ing off-road.


Air suspension package*
The system consists of two compo-
nents.

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(page 269), which adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics.


Vehicle level control*
(page 270), which controls the
vehicle level.


Parktronic* (
page 274) and rear view
camera* (
page 279), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (page 96).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
i
The cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.

246 Controls in detailDriving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resume to last set speed
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.


The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses when the cruise con-
trol engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Activating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control when
the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:

when you brake


when you have set the parking brake


when the automatic transmission is set
to positionP, R, or N


if the ESP
® is switched off


if the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunctionSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The current set speed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 246).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
i
The vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.
i
On uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s
braking system. In addition, on longer downhill
grades the automatic transmission will down-
shift automatically.
i
The last stored set speed is canceled when
the engine is turned off.

248 Controls in detailDriving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the speed in two ways.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up to
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 246).

Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in incre-
ments of 1 mph (Canada: 1km/h).Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
i
The cruise control switches off
automatically when


you step on the brake pedal


you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control switches off automatically and
an acoustic warning will sound when


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)


the ESP
® is in operation


the ESP
® is switched off with the ESP
®
switch (
page 99)


the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunction (
page 419)


you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
!
Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the cruise control.
However, the automatic transmission should not
be set toN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After a brief accel-
eration (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will
resume the last set speed.
i
The set value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever up to the resistance
point.
Warning!
G
You can increase the vehicle speed in
5 mph (Canada 10 km/h) increments.
When using this feature, keep in mind that it
may take a brief moment until the vehicle
has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle speed to a value that
the prevailing road conditions permit. Other-
wise, sudden and unexpected acceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.i
The set value is increased in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time
you lift the cruise control lever past the
resistance point.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle’s speed, distance to the
preceding vehicle and, most importantly,
brake operation to ensure a safe stopping
distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take road and traffic condi-
tions into account.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by Distronic. This could
result in wrong or missing distance
warnings.
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no
substitute for active driving involvement. It
does not react to pedestrians or on station-
ary objects, nor does it recognize or predict
the lane curvature or the movement of
preceding vehicles.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to the road, weather and traffic
conditions. Additionally, the driver must
provide the steering, braking and other
driving inputs necessary to remain in control
of the vehicle.
High-frequency sources such as toll
stations, speed measuring systems etc. can
cause the Distronic system to malfunction.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take road and traffic condi-
tions into account. Only use Distronic if the
road, weather and traffic conditions make it
advisable to travel at a constant speed.Warning!
G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.


252 Controls in detailDriving systemsDistronic does not act upon adverse sight
and distance conditions. Do not use
Distronic during conditions of fog, heavy
rain, snow or sleet.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
switch it on if:

roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice. The wheels could lose traction
while braking or accelerating, and the
vehicle could skid.


the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished due to snow, rain or fog, for
example. The distance control system
functionality could be impaired.
Always pay attention to surrounding traffic
conditions even while Distronic is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recog-
nize dangerous situations until it is too late.
This could cause an accident in which you
and others could be injured.
Warning!
G
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.Warning!
G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a
continuous speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:

when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane


when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp


in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.