2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Control cluster

263 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Narrow vehicles
Because of their narrow profile, the vehi-
cles traveling near the outer edges of the
lane have not yet been detected by
Distronic. There will be insufficient
distance to the vehicles ahead.
Distance warning function*
When Distronic* is deactivated, this
function will continue to warn you when
recognizing a stationary obstacle or a
slower vehicle moving in your vehicle’s
path and the danger of a collision exists:

The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on.


An intermittent warning will sound if
necessary.
If these warnings are issued, you must
brake manually to maintain a safe distance
and avoid a collision with the preceding
vehicle.
When pressing the brake pedal, the warn-
ing sound ceases. The warning sound will
also cease when the distance to the
preceding vehicle is sufficient again with-
out applying the brakes. In this case, the
distance warning lamp will also go out.

Switch on the distance warning
function in the control system
(page 179).
Warning!
G
If the distance warning lampl in the in-
strument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or miss-
ing distance warnings.

309 Controls in detail
Useful features

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on).
The message
Tele Aid
– inoperative
appears in the multifunction display.
i
The SOS button is located in the overhead
control panel (
page 33).
The Roadside Assistance button•
(
page 312) and the Information button¡
(page 313) are located below the center arm-
rest cover.
!
The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the GPS (G
lobal
P
ositioning S
ystem) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
i
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
COMAND system audio is muted and the select-
ed mode (radio, CD etc.) pauses. The optional
cellular phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this phone, we rec-
ommend that you use it only with the vehicle at a
standstill in a safe location. Remove the phone
from the cradle and place the call. The naviga-
tion* system (if engaged) will continue to run.
The display in the instrument cluster is available
for use, and spoken commands are only avail-
able by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND
system. A pop-up window will appear in the
COMAND system display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the TeleAid call has
ended, the optional cellular phone inserted in the
cradle switches on again. A PIN entry might be
necessary.

328 OperationDriving instructionsHigh-performance brake system
(ML 63 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the

vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.Parking brake
When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake. To prevent corrosion
and a reduction in the braking power of the
parking brake, observe the following:

From time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.

Drive a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed
of 12 mph (20 km/h).
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Warning!
G
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.

414 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP
®, EBP and 4-ETS
are also switched off (see messages in multi-
function display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 428).

Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again and
the ABS indicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp should go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and
the battery checked.

428 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 163) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 145) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 145) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel. They are
then stored in the vehicle status message
memory (
page 163). Remember that
clearing a message will only make the mes-
sage disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.

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

556 IndexClimate control 206
Air conditioning, Cooling 216
Air distribution, Front 212
Air distribution, Rear 219
Air recirculation mode 214
Air vents, Front 212
Air volume 212
Control panel*, Rear 217
Control panel, Front 208
Deactivating system 210
Defogging 213
Defrosting 213
Rear window defroster 205
Residual engine heat (REST) 216
Clock 27, 169
Setting time 169
Cloth upholstery,
Cleaning and care of 412
Cockpit 24
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND system
Cold tire inflation pressure 395
Collapsible tire 538
Collapsible tire (ML 63 AMG only) 474
Collapsible wheel chock 472COMAND system see separate operating
instructions
Combination switch 59, 60, 62, 140
Compass 321
Adjustment 174
Calibration 175
Calling up the compass 321
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 348
Control system 147
Multifunction display 147
Multifunction steering wheel 148
Resetting to factory default 165
Control system menus 147
AIRMATIC*/Compass 162
AMG menu 156
Audio 159
Distronic* 162
Nav* 161
Settings 164
Standard display 154
Tel* 182
Trip computer 180
Vehicle configuration 178
Vehicle status message memory 163Control system submenus 151, 153, 166
Comfort* 177
Instrument cluster 167, 168
Lighting 171
Time/Date 169
Vehicle 174
Coolant 362, 549
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
mixing ratio and quantity 550
Capacities 543
Checking coolant level 354, 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 450, 452
Temperature 350
Temperature display 154
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 140
Messages in the
multifunction display 458
Replacing bulbs 488
Crossing obstacles 339
Cruise control 245
Activating 247
Messages in the
multifunction display 431

559 Index
Emergency operations
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 315
Unlocking/opening the tailgate 476
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 515
Engine shut-down 525
First aid kit 469
Flat tire 497
Fuses 522
Hazard warning flasher 142
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 414, 415, 416, 417, 418,
419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424
Roadside Assistance 12, 312
Towing the vehicle 518
Emission control 350
Information label 531
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 531Engine
Belt layout (ML 320 CDI) 532
Belt layout (ML 350) 532
Belt layout (ML 500) 532
Belt layout (ML 63 AMG) 533
Block heater (Canada only) 400
Break-in recommendations 358
Cleaning 406
Compartment 356
Emergency engine shut-down 525
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 449
Maximum engine speed 146, 534,
535
Messages in the
multifunction display 449
Number 531
Starting 54
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 55
Starting with the SmartKey 55
Tachometer 29, 146
Technical data 534
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 67
Turning off with the SmartKey 67Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 358, 546
Adding 361, 546
Additives 546
Changing 361, 546
Checking level 358
Checking level with the
control system (ML 500 only) 358
Checking with the oil dipstick
(except ML 500) 360
Consumption 358
Filler neck (ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 361
Filler neck (ML 500, ML 63 AMG) 361
Messages in display 359, 453
Messages in the
multifunction display 453
Recommended engine oils
and oil filters 546
Engine oil level 358
ESP
®
27, 98
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
98
Messages in the
multifunction display 436, 437
Off-road-ESP®
101
Warning lamp 27, 419, 420