2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Shift program

341 Operation
Driving instructions


Avoid high engine speeds.


Shift automatic transmission to
position1 (
page 193).


Drive next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.


If the ruts are too deep to drive in, drive
with one side of the vehicle on the
grassy center strip if the route permits.Returning from off-road drivingOff-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:


Switch off the off-road driving program
(page 268).


Switch off the DSR (
page 265).


Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Lower the vehicle back to a level
suitable for road conditions, e.g. High-
way/High-speed level (
page 270).


Clean all exterior lamps and check for
possible damage.


Clean the front and rear license plate.
!
Check that the ruts are not too deep and
your vehicle’s clearance is sufficient. Otherwise:


your vehicle may be damaged


the underbody of the vehicle may come in
contact with the ground and you may get
stuck
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Damage to the vehicle may influence driving
comfort and pose the risk of accident to you
and other drivers.

346 OperationDriving instructions

Adjust the mirrors (
page 49) to
permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.


If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.


Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.


When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.


Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.


The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.


If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.


If the transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on inclines, manually
shift to a lower gear (select 4, 3, 2 or 1)
(page 193).
A lower gear and reduction of speed re-
duces the chance of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.


On very steep inclines, not manageable
with automatic transmission in1,
switch on off-road driving program
(page 268).


When going down a long hill, shift into
a lower gear and use the engine’s brak-
ing effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheat-
ing the vehicle and trailer brakes.


If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioning is on,
turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows,
switching the climate control fan speed
to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.
!
If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
In no case attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.

554 IndexAutomatic climate control (3-zone)* 220
Air conditioning, Cooling 230, 231
Air distribution, Front 226
Air distribution, Rear 234
Air recirculation mode 228
Air vents, Front 226
Air volume 227
Control panel, Front 222
Control panel, Rear 232
Deactivating system 224
Defogging 227
Defrosting 227
Maximum cooling, MAX COOL 228
Rear passenger compartment 232
Rear window defroster 205
Residual engine heat (REST) 232
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 231
Automatic headlamp mode 137
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 143
Automatic locking when driving 126
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196Automatic transmission 54
Accelerator position 191
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 198
Gear ranges 193
Gear selector lever 54, 185
Gear shifting malfunctions 198
Hill start assist system 192
Kickdown 191
Kickdown, manual shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 198
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shifting procedure 188
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 194
Towing a trailer 192
Transmission fluid level 362
Transmission positions 189
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 130
Seat, Multicontour* 130
Backup lamps
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Replacing bulbs 490
Bar 395
BAS 97
Lamps in instrument cluster 414
Messages in the
multifunction display 430
Basic carrier bars* 281
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 108, 112
Checking battery condition 111
Messages in the
multifunction display 446
Replacing 480
Battery, Vehicle 507
Charging 514
Disconnecting and connecting 509
Jump starting 515
Removing and installing 509

565 Index
Light sensor
Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Lighter see Cigarette lighter*
Lighting, Exterior and interior 136
Limp-Home Mode 198, 417, 418
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting 139, 172
Lock buttons, KEYLESS-GO*
Outside door handle 68
Locking the vehicle see Key
Loss of keys, Mechanical key 111
Loss of keys, SmartKey 111
Loss of keys, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 117
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 529
Low beam headlamps
Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Replacing bulbs 483
Switching on 59, 136
Lubricants 543
Lumbar support 130M
Main dimensions 541
Maintenance 12, 401
Calling up service indicator
display 403
Clearing service indicator
message 402
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 402
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 401
Resetting service indicator 403
Service indicator message 401
Service term exceeded 402
Vehicle Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 401
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Manual shift program (ML 63 AMG)
Activating 196
Deactivating 198
Maximum cooling, MAX COOL* see
Automatic climate control
(3-zone)* 228Maximum load rating, Tires 396
Maximum loaded vehicle weight,
Tires 396
MB Tex upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 412
Mechanical key 475
Memory function* see Seats
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messages
Microphone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel see Spare wheel
Mirrors
Adjusting 49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors* 201
Exterior rear view mirror 49
Interior rear view mirror 49, 200

567 Index
LATCH-type child seat anchors 91
OCS 85
OCS, Messages in the multifunction
display 440, 441, 442, 443
Seat belts 51, 73
OCS 85
Self-test 90
Odometer 146, 147, 154
Off-road - 4-ETS 102
Off-road - ABS 97
Off-road - ESP
®
101
Off-road driving
Checklist 336, 341
Crossing obstacles 339
Driving instructions for
off-road driving 333
Driving through water 338
Returning 341
Rules 335
Special driving features 334
Steep terrain 336
Off-road driving program 268
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
One-touch gearshifting 194
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 407
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 402
Overhead control panel 33
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 349
P
Paintwork code 530
Paintwork, Cleaning 405
Panic alarm 95
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 298
Front seat backrests 298
Parking 65, 329
On hills 65
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 65, 349
Parking brake 57, 65
Lamps, Indicator and warning 415
Messages in the
multifunction display 448
Releasing 57
Parking lamps
Messages in the
multifunction display 459
Replacing bulbs 487Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 178, 202
Parktronic* 31, 274
Cleaning system sensors 408
Minimum distance 276
Range 275
Switching on/off 277
System malfunction 278
System sensors 275
System sensors, Cleaning 408
Warning indicators 25, 276
Partition net* 287
Parts service 528
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 348
Fuse box 524
Interior lighting 142
Interior rear view mirror 33
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 298
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 325
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 411

571 Index
Vehicle level control* 270
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 195
Shifting
Automatic transmission 54
Shifting, Automatic transmission 185
Side impact air bags 76
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 408
Messages in the
multifunction display 461
Replacing bulbs 483, 488, 491
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 396
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 400
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare fuses 469
Spare wheel 538
Bolts 470
Mounting 498
Wheel bolts 501
Spare wheel (except ML 63 AMG) 473Speed settings
Cruise control 247
Distronic* 256
Speedometer 27, 253
Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation
SRS 78
Indicator lamp 29, 423
Messages in the
multifunction display 423
Standing lamps 136
Replacing bulbs 482, 483, 487, 490
Standing water, Driving through 338
Starter switch 25, 40
Positions 40
Starting difficulties, Engine 57
Starting, Engine 54
Steep terrain, Driving 336
Steering column 47, 48
Steering wheel 46
Adjustment, Electrically* 48
Adjustment, Manually 47
Buttons 30, 148
Cleaning 411Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 194
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 315
Storage compartments 34, 294
Armrest, Front 296
Cup holder 299
Cup holders 299
Door pockets 34
Front center console 296
Glove box 294
Parcel net, Front passenger
footwell 298
Parcel nets, Front seat backrest 298
Rear seats, In front of 297
Storing tires 367
Stranded vehicle 521
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 203
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Suspension tuning see Air suspension
package*
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 16