2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63AMG heating

326 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!
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.

327 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 97).Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 415).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 449).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

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.

353 Operation
At the gas station

Open the fuel filler flap completely.

Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.

Take off the fuel cap.

To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.

Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.

Replace the fuel cap by turning it
clockwise until it audibly engages.

Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
!
The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel filler
neck. Do not drop the cap. It could damage the
vehicle paint finish.
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and the ?malfunction
indicator lamp (USA only) or the± malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (Canada only) comes on.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 417).
i
Gasoline engine: Only use premium unlead-
ed gasoline with a minimum Posted Octane Rat-
ing of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline (gasoline engine)”
(
page 547), see “Fuel requirements”
(page 548), and the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
i
Diesel engine: Only use commercially avail-
able vehicular diesel fuels No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM
D975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D). Information on diesel
quality can normally be found on the fuel pump.
The sulfur content in diesel fuel should not
exceed 50 parts per million (ppm). When using
diesel fuel with a sulfur content of above
300 ppm, the engine oil interval should be
shortened.
For more information on diesel fuels, refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!
Diesel engine:
The engine is more susceptible to wear and
damage if you use


marine diesel fuel


heating oil


additives
The use of such non-approved fuels and/or
special additives is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

431 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
the electronic traction system switches
on again.
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears and the ESP
® warning
lampv goes out.
The self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a
short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise control and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative
The cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Cruise control
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the
speed (
page 245).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.

Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.

Release the parking brake
(page 57).

437 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The ESP
® was deactivated because
of insufficient power supply. The
charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in the
multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
electronic traction system switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes
out.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).

562 IndexHeadlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 137
Bi-Xenon* 458, 486
Cleaning lenses 408
Cleaning system* 200, 363
Halogen 485
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 137
Messages in the
multifunction display 458, 459,
460, 461, 462, 463
Replacing bulbs 482, 483
Switch 59, 136
Heated seats see Seat heating*
Heated steering wheel* 304
Height adjustment
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with
Air suspension package*) 271High beam flasher 59, 140
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the
multifunction display 459
Replacing bulbs 483, 485, 486
Switching on 59, 140
High mounted brake lamp 483
Hood 356
Messages in the
multifunction display 455
Opening 356
Hooks
Loading 284
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control or
automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Hydroplaning 330I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition 40, 42, 55
Immobilizer 103
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires,
Inflation pressures
Information button see Tele Aid*
Infrared reflecting windshield* 322
Inside door handle 118
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 145
Illumination brightness 145
Lamps 414
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messages
Multifunction display 147
Outside temperature indicator 146
Selecting language 167
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness 145
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit

564 IndexKickdown 191
Kilopascal 395
L
Labels 530
Certification 530
Emission control information 531
Engine number 531
Paintwork code 530
Vacuum line routing diagram 531
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) 530
Lamp sensor see Light sensor
Lamps, exterior 483
Front 483
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Messages in display 458
Messages in the multifunction
display 458, 460, 462
Rear 483
Switch 136Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 414
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 269
Alarm system 104
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 115
Battery (SmartKey) 110
Brakes 27, 415, 416
Center console 31, 426
CHECK ENGINE 29, 417, 418
Distance warning lamp* 254
Downhill Speed Regulation 265
Engine diagnostics 29, 417, 418
ESP
®
27, 419, 420
Fog lamps, Front/rear 136
Front passenger front air bag off 31,
75, 426, 427
Fuel reserve 29, 420
High beam headlamps 29
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 414, 415,
416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422,
423, 424
Off-road driving program 268
Parktronic* 276Preglow indicator, Diesel engine 29
Seat belt telltale 29, 79, 421
Seat belts 422
Seat heating* 131
Seat ventilation* 132
SRS 29, 70, 80, 423
Turn signals 27
Vehicle level control* 271
Language, Setting 167
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
(ML 320 CDI) 532
Layout of poly-V-belt drive (ML 350) 532
Layout of poly-V-belt drive (ML 500) 532
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
(ML 63 AMG) 533
Leather upholstery*, Cleaning and
care of 412
Lever for cruise control 245
License plate lamps 492
Messages in the
multifunction display 460
Replacing bulbs 483, 492
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 410