153 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu7
Menu8
Menu9
Menua
Menub
Menuc
DISTRONIC*
Vehicle status
message memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Settings
Vehicle configuration
Trip computer
Telephone*
(page 162)
(page 163)
(page 164)
(page 178)
(page 180)
(page 182)
Commands/submenusCalling up settings
Calling up vehicle mal-
function, warning and
system status messages
stored in memory
Resetting to factory
settings
Distance warning
function* on/off
Fuel consumption
statistics from start
Loading
phone book
Instrument cluster
submenu
DSR (Downhill Speed
Regulation) pro-
grammed default speed
Fuel consumption
statistics since the
last reset
Searching for
name in
phone book
Time/Date sub-
menu
Distance to empty
Lighting submenuVehicle submenuComfort submenu*
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The headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within thesystem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays. The firstfunction displayed in each menu will show you
which part of the system you are in.
180 Controls in detailControl system
Press buttonæ orç repeatedly
until the desired speed is shown in the
multifunction display.
When DSR is switched on, DSR will use
the programmed default speed to regu-
late the vehicle’s speed.
Trip computer menu
Use the trip computer menu to call up
statistical data on your vehicle.
The following information is available:Fuel consumption statistics from start
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly
until the message
From start
appears
in the multifunction display.
1Distance driven since start
2Time elapsed since start
3Average speed since start
4Average fuel consumption since start
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Once DSR is switched on, you can adjust the
set speed using the cruise control lever
(
page 266).
Function
Page
Fuel consumption statistics
from start
180
Fuel consumption statistics
since the last reset
181
Distance to empty
181
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When you enter the trip computer menu, you
will always see the fuel consumption statistics
from start first.
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All statistics stored since the last engine
start will be reset approximately 4 hours after
the SmartKey in the starter switch is turned to
position0 or removed from the starter switch.
Resetting will not occur if you turn the SmartKey
back to position1 or2 within this time period.
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.
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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
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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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.
536 Technical dataRims and tires!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
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Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressure is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 530). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 375)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 375). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
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The following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for more
information.
560 IndexETD 80, 423
Safety guidelines 73
Expanding cargo compartment 284
Exterior rear view mirrors 49, 201
Folding 202
Power folding* 202
Synchronizing 202
F
Fastening the seat belts 51
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 361
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 500, ML 63 AMG) 361
First aid kit 469
Flat tire 497
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 474, 538
Lifting the vehicle 498
Lowering the vehicle 504
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) 473
Mounting the spare wheel 498
Preparing the vehicle 498
Spare wheel 538Flexible Service System PLUS see FSS
PLUS
Floormats* 303
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 362
Brake fluid 354, 544, 546
Capacities 543
Engine coolant 354, 362, 549
Engine oil 358, 546
Power steering fluid 544
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* 355,
545, 551
Fog lamps 139
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 140
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Rear fog lamp 139
Replacing bulbs 488
4-ETS 102
Off-road - 4-ETS 102Front air bags 75
Front defroster 213, 227
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 70, 75
Messages in the multifunction
display 440, 441, 442, 443
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 31, 89, 426, 427
Front seat heat restraints see
Head restraints
Front towing eye 520
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 361, 402
Fuel 353
Additives 547
Capacities, Fuel tank 545
Consumption statistics 180, 181
Diesel fuel 545
Filling the tank 352
Fuel filler flap and cap 352, 477
Fuel gauge 29
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 29,
420
Premium unleaded gasoline 353,
547, 548
Requirements, Octane rating 548