511 Practical hints
Battery
2Perforated floor carpet, unfolded
Fold the floor carpet piece2 in
direction of the arrow.
Move the front passenger seat to the
most forward and upward position
again (
page 44).
Switch off the ignition (
page 40).
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (Turn off
the engine or all electrical systems
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button. Open the driver’s door. With
the driver’s door open, the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status0,
same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch).
Enter the rear passenger compartment
again.Step 4 (Disconnecting)
3Air channel
4Clip with pin insert
Pull pin out of clip4 in direction of
arrow.
Pull clip with pin4 outwards.
Remove air channel3 by pulling it out
in direction of arrow.
i
If the vehicle battery is discharged and you
had the vehicle jump started, turn off the engine.
513 Practical hints
Battery
Step 8 (Removing)
cBattery
Tilt the batteryc with the negative
terminal side upwards.
Take out the battery maintaining its
tilted position in the direction of the
arrow.Step 9 (Reinstalling)
Carry out step 8 in reverse order
(page 513).
Battery, shown removed for illustration9Battery ventilation hose
dVent plug
Carry out step 10 to reconnect the
battery (
page 513).
Follow steps 5 to 1 in reverse order to
completely reinstall the battery
(page 512) to (
page 509).
Step 10 (Reconnecting)
If the battery has been removed, first
carry out step 8 in reverse order
(page 513).
Open the driver’s door.
Make sure all electrical consumers are
turned off.
Make sure the SmartKey is removed
from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (Open the
driver’s door. With the driver’s door
open, the vehicle’s on-board elec-
tronics have status0, same as with
the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch (
page 39)).
!
The battery, the battery ventilation hose9
and the lateral plugd (
page 513) must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is
in operation.
519 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the starter switch is
in position2 (
page 40).
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
i
To signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged,
the automatic transmission will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more information, see “Bat-
tery” (page 507) and “Jump starting”
(
page 515).
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the ignition in position2 (
page 40), the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel is turning at a
speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
above.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 126).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the towing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame or sus-
pension parts.
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
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
563 Index
Interior lighting 142
Delayed shut-off 173
Interior rear view mirror 49
Antiglare positions 200
Auto-dimming mirrors* 201
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers 61
J
Jack 471
Lifting the vehicle 498
Jump starting 515
K
Key, Mechanical 475
Key, SmartKey 108
Batteries 111, 480
Battery check lamp 108
Checking battery condition 111
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 239
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 239
Closing, Power tailgate* 123
Factory setting 109Locking/unlocking 38, 68, 108
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 109
Loss of 111
Messages in the
multifunction display 457
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 239
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 239
Remote control 108
Replacing batteries 480
Selective setting 110
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 67
Unlocking and opening,
Power tailgate* 111
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Batteries 116, 480
Battery check lamp 112
Checking battery condition 116
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 239
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Convenience closing feature) 239Closing, Power tailgate* 124
Closing/locking, Power
tailgate* 125
Factory setting 115
Important notes 113
Locking/unlocking 39, 68, 112
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 115
Loss of 117
Messages in the
multifunction display 456, 457
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 239
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(Summer opening feature) 239
Remote control 112
Replacing batteries 480
Selective setting 115
Start/stop button 41
Starter switch positions 40, 41
Starting the engine 55
Turning off the engine 67
Unlocking and opening,
Power tailgate* 117
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
566 IndexMON 353, 548
Multicontour seat* 130
Multifunction display 147
Changing settings see Control
system menus and Control system
submenus
Selecting display 168
Selecting language 167
Multifunction display messages 428
ABS 430
Air suspension package* 467
Brake fluid 449
Brake lamps 458
Brake pads 447
Check engine 449
Coolant 452
Cruise control 431
Distronic* 432
Doors 455
Downhill Speed Regulation 447
EBP 448
Engine coolant 450, 452
Engine oil 453
ESP
®
419Fog lamps, Front 458
Fog lamps, Rear 461
Front passenger front air bag 440,
441, 442, 443
Fuel cap 455
Gear selector lever 438
Headlamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Hood 455
Key, SmartKey 457
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 456, 457
Lamps 458, 460, 461, 463
Low tire pressure 444, 465, 466
Parking brake 438, 448
Parking lamps 459
Tele Aid* 464
Telephone* 464
Turn signals 463
Vehicle battery 446
Windshield washer fluid 464
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 148
Button operation 148N
Navigation system* 161
See separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Net, Parcel 297
Net, Partition* 287
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 185, 189
New vehicle, Break-in period 324
Night security illumination 139, 172
Normal occupant weight 396
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 530
O
Occupant distribution 396
Occupant safety 70
Active head restraint 80
Air bags 71
Children and air bags 73, 82, 84
Children in the vehicle 82
Fastening the seat belt 51
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 86, 89, 90
Infant and child restraint systems 82