2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 wheel

197 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button2
(page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.If you have selected the AMG menu in the
control system and you are driving in the
manual program modeM, upshift
indicator2 in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you
can drive at the maximum engine speed for
each gear without overrevving the engine.
1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicator

Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.Downshifting

Briefly press left shift button1
(page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
i
The manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.
!
In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrewing range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
rewing range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.i
When you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or drive off.

199 Controls in detail
Transfer case
Transfer case
!
Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynanometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the brakes on a
brake test dynamometer and such testing should
be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i
The vehicle is equipped with full-time
four-wheel drive. Both the front and rear axles
are powered at all times when the vehicle is
being operated.

207 Controls in detail
Climate control
1
Driver’s door air vent, fixed
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left side and door air vent
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Right center air vent, adjustable
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
8
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right side and door air vent
9
Right side air vent, adjustable
a
Front passenger door air vent, fixed
b
Climate control panel
i
For draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for center air vents and side air vents to the
middle position.

212 Controls in detailClimate controlAdjusting air distribution
Press air distribution button5,9, ora
(page 208) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
controls:

Press the desired air distribution
button5,9, ora (
page 208).
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out.
Adjusting air volume
Five blower speeds are available.
Press button
to decrease or
buttonQ to increase air volume
(page 208) to the desired level.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
(page 208) goes out. The automatic
operation of air volume switches off.
The selected blower speed is shown in
the air volume displayb
(page 208).
Adjusting air volume for the center and
side air vents
Opening the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels4 and7
(page 206) to the right.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are open.Closing the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels4 and7
(page 206) to the left.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are closed.
Opening the side air vents

Turn thumbwheels3 and8
(page 206) to the right.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are open.
Closing the side air vents

Turn thumbwheels3 and8
(page 206) to the left.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are closed.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the center
and side air vents
Z
Directs air to the windshield
and side air vents
Y
Directs air to the footwells and
side air vents

221 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
1
Driver’s door air vent, fixed
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left side and door air vent
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Right center air vent, adjustable
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
8
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right side and door air vent
9
Right side air vent, adjustable
a
Front passenger door air vent, fixed
b
Automatic climate control panel
i
For draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for center air vents and side air vents to the
middle position.

226 Controls in detail3-zone automatic climate control*Adjusting air distribution
Use the air distribution controls3,h,
orj for the driver’s side, or7,b, orc
(page 222) for the passenger side to
separately adjust the air distribution on
each side of the passenger compartment.
The following symbols are found on the
buttons:

Press the desired air distribution but-
ton (
page 222).
The indicator lamp on the desired but-
ton goes out.
Adjusting the air distribution for the
center and side air vents
Opening the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels4 and7
(page 220) to the right.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are open.
Closing the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels4 and7
(page 220) to the left.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are closed.Opening the side air vents

Turn thumbwheels3 and8
(page 220) to the right.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are open.
Closing the side air vents

Turn thumbwheels3 and8
(page 220) to the left.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are closed.
Symbol
Function
Driver’s
side
Passen-
ger side
6
Z
Directs air to the
windshield and side
air vents
7
a
Directs air through
the center, side and
rear passenger
compartment air
vents
8
Y
Directs air to the
footwells and side
air vents

246 Controls in detailDriving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resume to last set speed
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.


The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses when the cruise con-
trol engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle’s speed, distance to the
preceding vehicle and, most importantly,
brake operation to ensure a safe stopping
distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take road and traffic condi-
tions into account.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by Distronic. This could
result in wrong or missing distance
warnings.
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no
substitute for active driving involvement. It
does not react to pedestrians or on station-
ary objects, nor does it recognize or predict
the lane curvature or the movement of
preceding vehicles.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to the road, weather and traffic
conditions. Additionally, the driver must
provide the steering, braking and other
driving inputs necessary to remain in control
of the vehicle.
High-frequency sources such as toll
stations, speed measuring systems etc. can
cause the Distronic system to malfunction.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take road and traffic condi-
tions into account. Only use Distronic if the
road, weather and traffic conditions make it
advisable to travel at a constant speed.Warning!
G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.