2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63AMG transmission

56 Getting startedDrivingKEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 is inserted in the starter
switch (
page 41).
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 67).Gasoline engine

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P (page 147).

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.Diesel engine

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P.

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Press KEYLESS-GO start / stop
button1 once.
The engine preglows and starts if the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in the
vehicle.
i
If you wish to start the engine using the
SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO feature,
remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from
the starter switch (
page 41).
i
If the engine is at operating temperature,
the time the engine needs to preglow is reduced.

58 Getting startedDrivingDriving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.

Shift automatic transmission toD orR
(page 187).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter (gaso-
line engine) or the oxidation catalyst (die-
sel engine) to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
i
Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
i
Shifting from gear positionP to positionR,
N, orD is only possible with the brake pedal
depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed,
the gear selector lever can be moved, but the
parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing
shifting to occur.
!
If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake
appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 57).
i
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be
deactivated (
page 176).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

59 Getting started
Driving
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 325).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 333).
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
The low beam headlamps come on.High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 136).
!
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionPorR only when the vehicle is stopped
in order to avoid damaging the transmission.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the
engine.
ML 63 AMG:
At engine temperatures below 68°F (20°C), the
engine’s maximum speed is restricted in order to
protect it from damage. Avoid driving your vehi-
cle at full speed when the engine is cold to pre-
vent premature engine wear and/or diminished
comfort.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

61 Getting started
Driving
Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the
desired position depending on the
intensity of the rain.
MWindshield wipers off
USlow intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with low
sensitivity.
VFast intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with high
sensitivity.
uSlow continuous wiping
tFast continuous wipingIntermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under
wet weather conditions or in the presence
of precipitation.
When you select intermittent wiping, the
rain sensor is activated. The rain sensor
automatically sets a suitable wiping
interval depending on the wetness of the
sensor surface.

Turn the combination switch to
positionU orV.After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Single wipe

Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.


Remove blockage.


Turn the windshield wipers on again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at all in
combination switch positionU orV,


set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed


have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center
!
Do not leave windshield wipers in intermit-
tent setting when the vehicle is taken to an auto-
matic car wash or during windshield cleaning.
Wipers will operate in the presence of water
sprayed on the windshield, and windshield
wipers may be damaged as a result.
!
If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows.
You should therefore switch off the windshield
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
i
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when


all doors are closed
and


the automatic transmission is set to
positionD orR
or


the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch

62 Getting startedDrivingWiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 past the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 363).
Rear window wiper/washer
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Rear window wiper switch
2Wiping rear window with washer fluid
3Intermittent wiping
4Rear window wiper off
5Wiping rear window with washer fluid6Rear window wiper indicator

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Activating intermittent wipe

Turn rear window wiper switch1 to
position3 (
page 62).
In the lower multifunction display you
will see indicator6, indicating that
the rear window wiper is activated.
i
To prevent smears on the windshield, wipe
with windshield washer fluid every now and then
even when it is raining.
i
The rear window wiper engages automatical-
ly when the automatic transmission is shifted to
positionR with the windshield wipers switched
on.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. 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.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain, as a result
of vehicle movement, before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
Warning!
G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the vehi-
cle’s brake lights do not light up when the
parking brake is engaged. Make sure not to
endanger any other road users when you en-
gage the parking brake.

66 Getting startedParking and locking
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 59).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 136).
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 187).

Apply the parking brake (
page 65).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the
automatic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 187).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
i
If the engine cannot be turned off as de-
scribed, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 525).Warning!
G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the en-
gine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to brake and steer the vehicle.i
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting the automatic transmission to positionP
(
page 187).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

67 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 39).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 41) to turn off the
engine.
With the driver’s door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 39).
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 52).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
i
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the transmission in a position other
thanP, the transmission will automatically shift
toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission toP. Only when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch will the
transmission automatically shift toP.
i
You can turn off the engine while driving by
pressing and holding the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button for approximately 3 seconds.
i
If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the transmission in a position
other thanP, the transmission will automatically
shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not
automatically shift the transmission toP. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the
transmission automatically shift toP.
!
Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so that
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim
panel. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.