2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 steering

260 Controls in detailDriving systems
Setting the following distance in
Distronic
You can set the specified following
distance for Distronic by varying the time
setting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Us-
ing this time setting and the current speed
of your vehicle, Distronic calculates and
sets the required following distance to the
preceding vehicle. The set distance will be
shown in the multifunction display
(page 255).
The distance setting switch for the time
setting is located on the cruise control le-
ver on the left-hand side of the steering
column.1Distance setting switch
2To decrease distance
3To increase distance
Increasing distance
Increasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a greater following
distance to the preceding vehicle.

Turn distance setting switch1 in
direction of arrow3.
Warning!
G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h)
by operation of the system. At that time the
driver must apply the brakes in order to
reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to a
stop.!
Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the Distronic. However, the
automatic transmission should not be set toN
while driving except to coast when the vehicle is
in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the Distronic. After a brief accelera-
tion (e.g. for passing), the Distronic will resume
the last set speed.
Warning!
G
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving recom-
mendations for safe following distance.

261 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Decreasing distance
Decreasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a smaller following
distance to the preceding vehicle.
Turn distance setting switch1 in
direction of arrow2.
Driving with Distronic
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is re-
quired on the part of the driver. Be pre-
pared to brake in such situations. Braking
will deactivate the Distronic system.The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message
DISTRONIC currently unavailable
– See
Operator’s Manual
appears in the multi-
function display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 408).
Warning!
G
Distronic works to maintain the speed se-
lected by the driver unless a moving obsta-
cle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g. fol-
lowing another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance).
This means that:

Your vehicle can pass another vehicle
after you have changed lanes.


While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could
lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your
vehicle could then accelerate to the
previously selected speed.
Distronic regulates only the distance be-
tween your vehicle and those directly ahead
of it, but does not register stationary objects
in the road, e.g.:


a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam


a disabled vehicle


an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means
of steering or braking the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy
road conditions.
i
If the message
DISTRONIC available
again
appears during driving the dirt (e.g.
slush) has dissolved; Distronic works again, if
you reactivate it (
page 256).

266 Controls in detailDriving systemsSwitching Downhill Speed Regulation off
Press DSR switch1 (
page 265).
The indicator lamp2 goes out.
The message
DSR Off
appears in the
multifunction display.Adjusting Downhill Speed Regulation
speed with DSR switched on
With the DSR switched on (
page 265),
the speed setting can be changed using
the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column.
Cruise control lever1Increase set speed
2Reduce set speed
You can change the set speed between
3 - 10 mph (Canada: 4 - 18 km/h).You can increase or reduce the set speed
in two ways.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Increase set speed:

Briefly lift the cruise control lever up to
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 266).

Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in incre-
ments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
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At a speed above approximately 21 mph
(Canada approx.: 35 km/h), the DSR is automat-
ically switched off. The message
DSR Off

appears in the multifunction display and an
acoustic signal sounds. For information on how
to switch DSR on again, see “Switching Downhill
Speed Regulation on” (
page 265).
i
The set value is increased or decreased in
1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time
you lift or depress the cruise control lever to the
resistance point.

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:
i
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.
i
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.


274 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen the highway level is reached, indica-
tor lamp2 (
page 271) goes out. and
the following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds:
Parktronic system*
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The message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
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The vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if:


the vehicle speed is above 55 mph
(88 km/h)


the speed stays between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 55 mph (88 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 408).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.


304 Controls in detailUseful features1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.

Remove the floormat.
Installing

Lay down the floormat in the respective
footwell.

Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Heated steering wheel*
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Indicator lamp
3Switching offSwitching on

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp2 comes on.
i
The steering wheel heating is turned off tem-
porarily and the indicator lamp2 remains on
when


the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)


the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.

305 Controls in detail
Useful features
Switching off
Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the
direction of arrow3.
The heated steering wheel is switched
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
For information on the steering wheel, see
“Multifunction steering wheel”
(
page 148).
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on the installation of an ap-
proved external antenna. Refer to the radio
transmitter operation instructions regard-
ing use of an external antenna.
i
Indicator lamp2 flashes or goes out


in case of power surge or undervoltage


in case of a steering wheel heating malfunc-
tion
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The steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch or, on vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*, when you switch off the ignition
(
page 39) and open the driver’s door.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND system1 if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements

306 Controls in detailUseful featuresWhen the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad


COMAND system (see separate operat-
ing instructions)


buttonss andt on the steering
wheel (
page 148)


Voice Control* (see separate operating
instructions)
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an autho-rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for information on features available for
your mobile phone of choice.
The cradle is located in the front center
armrest.

Open telephone compartment
(page 296).
Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device to respond dur-
ing phone calls.

If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions
as well.
Example illustration1Insert the mobile phone
2Connector contact
3Mobile phone cradle
Slide the lower end of the mobile phone
into connector contact2 on
cradle3.

Push the top of the mobile phone in di-
rection of arrow1, until the lug on the
mobile phone release button engages.
The mobile phone is connected to the
network via the external antenna.
i
Various mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.
!
Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.