2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 page 507

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.

110 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingGlobal locking
Press button‹.
With the tailgate and all doors closed,
the turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey so that
pressing buttonΠonly unlocks the
driver’s door and the fuel filler flap.

Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds
until battery check lamp5
(page 108) flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as
follows:Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap

Press buttonΠonce.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knob in the driver’s door moves
up. The anti-theft alarm system is
disarmed.
Global unlocking

Press buttonΠtwice.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is
disarmed.
Global locking

Press button‹.
With the tailgate and all doors closed,
the turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.Restoring to factory setting

Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds
until battery check lamp5
(page 108) flashes twice.
!
If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the SmartKey is malfunctioning, or
the vehicle battery is drained.


Check the batteries in the SmartKey and
replace them if necessary (
page 480).


Use the mechanical key to unlock the
driver’s door (
page 475).


Lock the vehicle as described in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 476).


Have the vehicle battery and the vehicle
battery connections checked (
page 507).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, contact
Roadside Assistance or an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

116 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingGlobal unlocking
Grasp any outside door handle other
than the driver’s outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Global locking

Press the lock button on an outside
door handle (
page 68).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.Restoring to factory setting

Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds
until battery check lamp5
(page 112) flashes twice.Checking the batteries

Press button‹orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 (
page 112)
comes on briefly to indicate that the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO batteries
are in order.
!
If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO, the
batteries in the SmartKey are discharged, the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunctioning or
the vehicle battery is drained.


Check the batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO (
page 116) and replace
them if necessary (page 480).


Use the mechanical key to unlock the
driver’s door (
page 475).


Lock the vehicle as described in the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 476).


Have the vehicle battery and the vehicle
battery connections checked (
page 507).
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunc-
tioning, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
i
If battery check lamp5 (
page 112) does
not come on briefly during check, the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 480).
You can obtain the required batteries at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
i
If the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing the
button‹orŒ will lock or unlock the
vehicle accordingly.

508 Practical hintsBattery!
The battery is a valve-regulated lead acid
(VRLA) battery, also referred to as “fleece” bat-
tery. Such batteries do not require topping-up of
the electrolyte level. VRLA batteries therefore do
not have cell caps and the battery cover is
non-removable. Do not attempt to open the bat-
tery as otherwise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, the battery may dis-
charge if the vehicle is not operated for an ex-
tended period of time. You can connect a battery
maintenance charge unit tested and approved
for use on your vehicle model or disconnect the
battery to prevent battery discharge. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for more information.
!
The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the
factory-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation hose
(
page 513) and the lateral plug (
page 513)
must always be securely installed when the
vehicle is in operation.
Warning!
G
Jump starting must only be done using the
jump-start contacts located in the engine
compartment (
page 515).
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 507).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.

509 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and reconnecting the battery
Step 1 (Disconnecting)

Set the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 187).

Firmly depress the parking brake
(page 65).

Turn off the engine (
page 66).

Leave the ignition switched on
(page 40).
!
Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for further information.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
Disconnecting, removing, reinstalling and
reconnecting the battery is a complicated
and technically demanding procedure that
also requires safety precautions to avoid the
risk of injury. We strongly recommend that it
be performed by a qualified technician or an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center only. Please read the instructions
fully before beginning operation and only
undertake it if you feel fully capable of
performing all of the tasks involved as de-
scribed in these instructions. Observe all
safety instructions and precautions when
handling automotive batteries
(page 507). Performing the tasks involved
incorrectly can cause damage to the vehicle
and impair the operating safety of the
vehicle, and/or cause severe injury to you
or others.
i
With a disconnected battery you will no
longer be able to turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch and pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button will have no effect.
i
If your battery is discharged, the vehicle
must be jump started (
page 515) using the
jump start contacts in the engine compartment,
or an accessory battery charge unit* approved
by Mercedes-Benz must be connected using the
jump start contacts in the engine compartment
(see separate instructions for the accessory bat-
tery charge unit*) before any of the following
steps can be performed. If the battery cannot be
jumped or charged, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.


510 Practical hintsBattery
Switch off all electrical consumers.

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 507).

Open the front passenger door.

Move the front passenger seat to the
most forward position (
page 44).Step 2 (Disconnecting)
1Battery cover

Enter the rear passenger compartment
and remove main battery cover1.Step 3 (Disconnecting)
2Perforated floor carpet

Cut the floor carpet2 along the
dotted white line (see illustration) until
you reach the perforated part. Start
cutting at the point indicated by the
arrows. Cut carpet using a sharp object
(knife etc.).

Enter the front passenger compart-
ment.

Move the front passenger seat to the
most rearward position (
page 44).
i
If the vehicle battery is discharged and you
had the vehicle jump started:


Leave the engine running.


Complete step 1, starting with switching off
all electrical consumers.


Continue with step 2.


When the front passenger seat is in the most
forward position, turn off the engine.
i
Open doors only when conditions are safe to
do so.


516 Practical hintsJump startingThe jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment.1Negative (-) terminal
2Positive (+) terminal

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Set automatic transmission to
positionP.

Open the hood (
page 356).

Open cover of positive terminal2.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of discharged
battery
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 507).

519 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the starter switch is
in position2 (
page 40).
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
i
To signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged,
the automatic transmission will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (page 507) and “Jump starting”
(
page 515).
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the ignition in position2 (
page 40), the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel is turning at a
speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 126).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the towing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or sus-
pension parts.