Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording ......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 20
At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Storage compartments ......................... 34
Door control panel................................ 36
Getting started................................... 37
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 38
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 39
Starter switch positions .................. 39
Adjusting .............................................. 43
Seats .............................................. 43
Steering wheel ................................ 46
Mirrors ............................................ 49
Driving .................................................. 51
Fastening the seat belts ................. 51
Starting the engine ......................... 54
Parking brake ................................. 57
Driving off ....................................... 58
Switching on headlamps ................. 59
Turn signals .................................... 60
Windshield wipers ........................... 60
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 62
Problems while driving.................... 63
Parking and locking .............................. 65
Parking brake ................................. 65
Switching off headlamps................. 66
Turning off the engine..................... 66
Releasing seat belts........................ 67
Locking ........................................... 68
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
Contents
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 349
Emission control .......................... 350
Coolant temperature .................... 350
At the gas station .............................. 352
Refueling ...................................... 352
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 354
Engine compartment ......................... 356
Hood ............................................ 356
Engine oil ..................................... 358
Transmission fluid level ................ 362
Coolant level ................................ 362
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 363
Tires and wheels ................................ 365
Important guidelines .................... 365
Tire care and maintenance........... 366
Direction of rotation ..................... 368
Loading the vehicle ...................... 368
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 374
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 375
Tire labeling.................................. 385
Load identification ....................... 389DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. 389
Maximum tire load ........................ 391
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 391
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 392
Tire ply material ............................ 394
Tire and loading terminology......... 394
Rotating tires ................................ 397
Winter driving ..................................... 399
Winter tires ................................... 399
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 400
Snow chains.................................. 400
Maintenance....................................... 401
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 401
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 403
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 403
Vehicle care........................................ 404
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 404
Practical hints.................................. 413
What to do if … ................................... 414
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 414
Lamp in center console ................ 426
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 428
Where will I find ...? ............................ 469
First aid kit.................................... 469
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 469
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) ..................... 473
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) ......................... 474
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 475
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 475
Locking the vehicle ....................... 476
Unlocking and opening
the tailgate ................................... 476
Fuel filler flap ................................ 477
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 478
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 478
Resetting activated head restraints.... 479
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 480
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
23 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
TailgateOpening
119
Closing
121
Power tailgate*
119,
124
Cargo compartmentVehicle tool kit
469
Spare wheel
473
2
Rear window defroster
208
3
Rear lamps
483
4
Fuel filler flap
352
Refueling
352
Fuel
353,
547
5
Exterior rear view mirrorsAdjusting
49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*
201
Power folding*
202
Item
Page
6
Towing eye boltInstalling
520
Vehicle tool kit
469
7
Tires and wheels
365,
536
Checking tire inflation
pressure
375
Run Flat Indicator
(Canada vehicles)
377
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (U.S. vehicles)
379
Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System*
(Canada vehicles)
381
Flat tire
497
Spare wheel
473
8
Hood
356
Engine oil
358
Coolant
362
Item
Page
9
Windshield wipers
60
Wiper blades, replacing
494
Wiper blades, cleaning
410
a
WindshieldCleaning with wiper fluid
62
Cleaning
410
b
Roof rails
281
Carriers*
281
c
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
241
d
DoorsLocking and unlocking
108
Opening and closing
119
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency
478
e
Front lamps
483
f
Headlamp cleaning system*
200
25 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
246
2
Instrument cluster
26
3
Multifunction steering
wheel
30
4
Horn
5
Steering wheel gearshift
buttons
194
6
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
54
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicators
276
8
Overhead control panel
33
Item
Page
9
Glove box release
Glove box lock
294
295
a
Glove box
294
b
Center console
31
c
Starter switch
40
d
Steering wheel adjustment,
manual
47
e
Hood lock release
356
f
Parking brake release
57
g
Parking brake pedal
65
h
Power tailgate switch*
119
j
Door control panel
36
Item
Page
k
Headlamp washer switch*
200
l
Exterior lamp switch
59,
136
m
Steering wheel adjustment,
electrical*
Heated steering wheel*
48
304
n
Combination switch
High beam
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
Rear window wiper
140
59
60
60
62
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
8
Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer
146
Main odometer
147
9
Tachometer with:
421
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
70,
423
qPreglow indicator
lamp
1
1Vehicles with Diesel engine only.
55
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
417
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
417
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
59,
140
Item
Page
a
Fuel gauge with:Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp
420
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side
352
b
Multifunction display
with:
Outside temperature
display or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)
147,
168
Transmission position
indicator
189
Gear range indicator
193
Selected program mode
indicator
1
196
1AMG vehicles only.
Item
Page
Distance warning func-
tion* indicator
179
Downhill Speed Regula-
tion (DSR) indicator
265
Off-road driving program
indicator
268
Rear window wiper
indicator
62
40 Getting startedUnlockingSmartKeyStarter switch0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 414).
3Starting position
i
When you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning lamps (ex-
cept high beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) will go
out when the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are operational.
i
When the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch and the automatic transmission is
in a position other thanP, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts toP.
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be sufficient-
ly charged.
Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(page 507).
Get a jump start (
page 515).
To prevent accelerated battery discharge or a
completely discharged battery, always remove
the SmartKey from the starter switch when the
engine is not in operation.