Contents
Control system .................................. 147
Multifunction display .................... 147
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 148
Menus .......................................... 150
Standard display menu ................ 154
AMG menu ................................... 156
Off-road mode menu .................... 159
Audio menu .................................. 159
Navi* menu .................................. 161
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 162
DISTRONIC* menu ....................... 162
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 163
Settings menu .............................. 164
Vehicle configuration ................... 178
Trip computer menu..................... 180
Tel menu* .................................... 182
Automatic transmission ..................... 185
Gear selector lever ....................... 185
Shifting procedure ....................... 188
Transmission positions................. 189
Driving tips ................................... 191
Gear ranges ................................. 193
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 194
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only).. 195Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 198
Transfer case ...................................... 199
Good visibility ..................................... 200
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 200
Rear view mirrors .......................... 200
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors* ......................... 202
Sun visors ..................................... 203
Rear window defroster .................. 205
Climate control ................................... 206
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 210
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 210
Setting the temperature................ 211
Adjusting air distribution............... 212
Adjusting air volume ..................... 212
Front defroster.............................. 213
Air recirculation mode .................. 214
Air conditioning............................. 216
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 216
Rear climate control*.................... 2173-zone automatic climate control* ..... 220
Deactivating the
automatic climate
control system .............................. 224
Operating the automatic
climate control system in
automatic mode............................ 225
Setting the temperature ............... 225
Adjusting air distribution .............. 226
Adjusting air volume ..................... 227
Front defroster ............................. 227
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 228
Air recirculation mode .................. 228
Air conditioning ............................ 230
Using driver-side settings
for all temperature zones.............. 231
Residual heat and ventilation........ 232
Rear automatic climate control..... 232
Power windows .................................. 236
Opening and closing ..................... 236
Synchronizing the door windows .. 238
Summer opening feature .............. 239
Convenience closing feature......... 239
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 241
Opening and closing ..................... 241
Synchronizing ............................... 244
ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 482
Bulbs ............................................ 482
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 485
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 490
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 492
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 494
Front wiper blades ....................... 494
Rear wiper blade .......................... 495
Flat tire .............................................. 497
Preparing the vehicle.................... 497
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 498
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel engine only) ............................ 506
Battery ............................................... 507
Disconnecting, removing,
reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery .............. 509
Charging the battery .................... 514
Jump starting ..................................... 515
Towing the vehicle ............................. 518
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 520
Stranded vehicle .......................... 521Fuses ................................................. 522
Fuse box in
engine compartment .................... 523
Fuse box in cargo compartment... 523
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ............................... 524
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 525
Technical data................................. 527
Parts service ...................................... 528
Warranty coverage............................. 529
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 529
Identification labels ........................... 530
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 532
ML 350 ........................................ 532
ML 320 CDI .................................. 532
ML 500 ........................................ 532
ML 63 AMG .................................. 533
Engine................................................ 534
Rims and tires.................................... 536
Same size tires ............................. 537
Spare wheel ................................. 538Electrical system ............................... 540
Main Dimensions ............................... 541
Weights ............................................. 542
Fuels, coolants, lubricants ................. 543
Capacities .................................... 543
Engine oils ................................... 546
Engine oil additives ...................... 546
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 546
Brake fluid.................................... 546
Premium unleaded gasoline
(gasoline engine).......................... 547
Gasoline additives
(gasoline engine).......................... 547
Fuel requirements ........................ 548
Coolants ...................................... 549
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning* system......... 551
Index................................................. 553
209 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on
the selected interior temperature and the
current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 216).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite to unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution
controls (
page 208) to direct the air to air
vents in the vehicle interior that are not in
the immediate area of unprotected skin.
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
i
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before its
scheduled interval. A clogged filter will reduce
the air volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the interior
before driving off, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (page 239). The climate control will then
adjust the interior temperature to the set value
much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
213 Controls in detail
Climate control
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up. You
can also use it to defog the windshield and
side windows.
Activating
Press button0(
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The climate control switches to the follow-
ing functions automatically:
maximum blower speed and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)
the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
Deactivating
Press button0 (
page 208) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again. The air conditioning compressor
remains switched on.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 61).
Press button0(
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The climate control switches automatically
to the following functions:
maximum blower speed and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)
the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
If the automatic air distribution is switched
off:
Press air distribution button9 ora
(page 208).
i
Keep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
When the defrost setting has been selected, only
the rear window defroster can be switched on.
No other settings are possible.
i
To switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 208).
i
Keep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
214 Controls in detailClimate controlAir recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating
Press button: (
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating
Press button:.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior win-
dow fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 208) is activated, or
press button0.
i
The air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp on button: is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is switched on auto-
matically.
A quantity outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
If you have turned off the air conditioning
(
page 216) or the outside temperature is
below 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will
not switch on automatically.
i
To cool the interior as fast as possible, the
climate control automatically switches to air
recirculation. The indicator lamp on button:
is not lit when the air recirculation mode has
been switched on automatically.
i
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically
after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the air conditioning and
air-drying is turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)
216 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
In addition, the air conditioning dehumidi-
fies the interior air at outside temperatures
above 41°F (5° C) and helps prevent
window fogging.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button9 (
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button9 (
page 208) again.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
i
Condensation may drip out from underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication
of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
interior air is not dried. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.
!
If the air conditioning cannot be turned on
again, this indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned
off.
Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
i
How long the system will provide heating
depends on
the coolant temperature
the battery voltage
Regardless of the temperature and air volume
set on the climate control panel, the interior tem-
perature is set to 72°F (22°C) and the blower
runs on low speed to protect the vehicle battery.
217 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Switch off the ignition (
page 40).
Press button9 (
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button9 (
page 208).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Rear climate control*
The control panel for the rear climate
control is only available if your vehicle is
equipped with seat heating* for the rear
seats.
The control panel is located on the rear of
the front center console.Rear climate control panel
i
The residual heat is automatically turned off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the coolant temperature is too low
if the battery voltage drops
1
Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2
Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3
Rear climate control on
(automatic mode)
4
Air distribution (directs air through
the center air vents)
5
Air distribution (directs air through
the footwells and side air vents)
6
Rear air conditioning off
223 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
The automatic climate control is a 3-zone
intelligent automatic climate control sys-
tem. Your vehicle interior is divided into
3 zones.With the help of a sun sensor, the automat-
ic climate control determines the relation
of the sun to the vehicle and automatically
adjusts the inside temperature for every
individual zone.
The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. It cools
the vehicle’s interior according to the an-
gle and intensity of the sun’s rays, the out-
side temperature and the selected
temperature. You can operate the auto-
matic climate control in either the auto-
matic or manual mode.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 222).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents can be very
hot or very cold (depending on the set tem-
perature). This may cause burns or frostbite
to unprotected skin in the immediate area of
the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution
controls (
page 222) to direct the air to air
vents in the vehicle interior that are not in
the immediate area of unprotected skin.