2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV transmission

Centre console
31Centre console
Upper section (not ML 63 AMG) Function Page
1
Controls COMAND APS*
and the audio system – see
the respective operating
instructions
2 Controls Thermatic or
Thermotronic*
171
Switches the rear window
heating on/off
182
3 Switches the hazard warn-
ing lamps on/off
95
4 Automatic transmission
gearshift program selection
button
111
5 Switches the right-hand
seat heating* on
/off 82
6 Switches the right-hand
seat ventilation* on
/off 81
7 Switches the auxiliary heat-
ing* on
/off 184
8 59
warning
lamp 8 50 Function Page
9 Engages the differential
locks*
143
a Selects
/deselects LOW
RANGE* off-road gear 141
b Activates/deactivates DSR
139
c
Vehicle level control*: rai-
ses/lowers the vehicle
158
d Deactivates/activates
ESP
® 59
e
Selects ADS* settings 157
f Switches the left-hand seat
ventilation* on/off
81
g Switches the left-hand seat
heating* on/off
82
h Deactivates/activates
Parktronic (PTS)*
166
8
The warning lamp also lights up briefly when you turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock on vehicles without automatic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat*. It has no function, however, and does not indicate that the front-passenger seat is equipped with automatic child seat recognition*. At a glance
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 31Dateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Centre console
32 Upper section (only ML 63 AMG)
Function Page
1
Controls COMAND APS*
and the audio system – see
the respective operating
instructions
2 Controls Thermatic or
Thermotronic*
171
Switches the rear window
heating on/off
182
3 Switches the hazard warn-
ing lamps on/off
95
4 Automatic transmission
gearshift program selection
button*
112
5
Vehicle level control*: rai-
ses/lowers the vehicle
158
6 Switches the right-hand
seat heating* on
/off 82
7 Switches the right-hand
seat ventilation* on
/off 81 Function Page
8 Switches the auxiliary heat-
ing* on
/off 184
Deactivates/activates
Parktronic (PTS)*
166
9 59
warning
lamp 9 50
a Deactivates/activates
ESP
® 59
b
Selects ADS* settings 157
c Switches the left-hand seat
ventilation* on/off
81
d Switches the left-hand seat
heating* on/off
82
e Activates/deactivates DSR
139
9
The warning lamp also lights up briefly when you turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock on vehicles without automatic child seat recognition on the front-
passenger seat*. It has no function, however, and does not indicate that the front-passenger seat is equipped with automatic child seat recognition*. At a glance
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 32Dateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Driving safety sys
tems58
or if the LOW RANGE* (Y
page 141) off-road
gear is selected.
At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels
lock cyclically during braking. The digging-in
effect achieved in the process reduces the
stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability. BAS (Brake Assist)
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Risk of accident
If BAS has malfunctioned, the braking sys-
tem remains available with full brake boost-
ing effect. However, braking force is not
automatically increased in emergency
braking situations and the stopping dis-
tance may increase. Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 25 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS,
the brake lamps flash rapidly. In this way,
traffic travelling behind you is warned in an
even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you drive
faster than 10 km/h again. You can also
switch off the hazard warning lamps using the
hazard warning switch button (Y page 95). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between tyres and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified, if
necessary, to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
When ESP ®
intervenes, the vwarning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Risk of accident
If the v warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R do not deactivate ESP ®
under any cir-
cumstances.
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit prevailing
road and weather conditions.
The vehicle could otherwise go into a skid. Safety
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 58 Dateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

65
Opening and closing
...........................66
Key positions ....................................... 75
Seats .................................................... 76
Steering wheel .................................... 83
Mirrors ................................................. 85
Memory functions* .............................87
Seat belts ............................................. 89
Lights ................................................... 92
Windscreen wipers .............................98
Side windows ...................................... 99Driving and parking
..........................103
Transmission ..................................... 106
Instrument cluster ............................113
On-board computer ..........................115
Off-road driving ................................. 138
Driving systems ................................ 145
Air conditioning ................................. 169
Sliding sunroof .................................. 187
Loading and stowing ........................190
Features ............................................. 203 Controls
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh,
Version: 2.10.6 2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 65Dateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Key positions
75Key positions
Key
Ignition lock
}
To remove the key
$ Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
% Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
& To start the engine
i Even if the key is not for the vehicle in
question, it will still turn in the ignition lock.
The ignition is not switched on. The engine
cannot be started. KEYLESS GO*
If you press the KEYLESS GO button repeat-
edly without depressing the brake pedal, its
function corresponds to the different key
positions in the ignition lock.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
KEYLESS GO button, the engine starts imme-
diately.
i To start the engine using the KEYLESS GO
button, the KEYLESS GO key must be in the
vehicle. 1
KEYLESS GO button
If KEYLESS GO button 1has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to "key removed"
or position 0. X
Position 1: press KEYLESS GO button 1
once.
It is now possible to switch on the wind-
screen wipers, for example.
i If you press KEYLESS GO button 1in this
position twice, the power supply is discon-
nected again.
X Position 2(ignition): press KEYLESS GO
button 1twice.
i If you press KEYLESS GO button 1in this
position once, the power supply is discon-
nected again.
Removing the KEYLESS GO button You can remove the KEYLESS GO button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle with a
key as usual.
i
Switching between KEYLESS GO mode
and key mode is only possible when the
transmission is in position P. Cont
rols
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 75 ZDateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Driving and pa
rking 103Driving and parking
Starting the engine
G
Risk of accident
Do not keep any objects in the driver's foot-
well. If you use a floormat or carpet in the
driver's footwell, make sure that they are
correctly secured and that there is suffi-
cient clearance for the pedals.
Objects could otherwise get between the
pedals in the event of sudden braking or
acceleration. You may then no longer be
able to brake, change gear or accelerate as
intended. This may result in an accident and
injury. G
Risk of poisoning
Never leave the engine running in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide. Inhaling exhaust fumes consti-
tutes a health hazard and could lead to loss
of consciousness or even death.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine. i
If you depress the brake when starting the
engine, pedal travel will be unusually long
and there will be less pedal resistance.
Automatic transmission P
Park position with parking lock
N To select neutral
R To select reverse gear
D To select drive
X Before starting, make sure Pis selected.
i The engine can also be started when the
DIRECT SELECT selector lever is in position
N.
Further information about the automatic
transmission (Y page 107). Starting the engine with the key X
To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock (Y page 75)
and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock (Y page 75).
The q preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the qpreglow indicator lamp
goes out, turn the key to position
3 (Y page 75) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
Starting the engine with KEYLESS GO* G
Risk of injury
Your vehicle can be started using a valid
KEYLESS GO key*. For this reason, children
should never be left unsupervised in the
vehicle. Always take the KEYLESS GO
key* with you when leaving the vehicle,
even if you are only leaving it for a short
time. Cont
rols
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 103 ZDateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Driving and pa
rking 105Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
on uphill gradients of more than 5°. G
Risk of accident
Hill start assist is not a parking brake. It
does not prevent the vehicle from rolling
away.
When parking, always depress the parking
brake and set the automatic transmission
to P.
X To pull away on an uphill slope, release the
brake and depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill start assist continues to hold the
braking pressure for up to one second. This
allows you to pull away evenly without the
vehicle rolling back.
i The brake pedal remains in the depressed
position until the hill start assist releases
the braking pressure.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a downhill gradient
R the automatic transmission is in neutral N
R the parking brake is applied
R ESP ®
is deactivated due to a malfunction Parking
G
Risk of accident
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary as you can-
not steer the vehicle with the key removed.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake. This could lead to a serious or fatal
accident. G
Risk of fire
Make sure that the exhaust system does
not under any circumstances come into
contact with easily ignitable material such
as dry grass or petrol. The material could
otherwise ignite and set the vehicle on fire. Parking brake 1
Release handle
2 Parking brake
X To apply: depress parking brake 2firmly.
The 3 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
i On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Pull release handle 1.
The 3 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. Controls
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 105 ZDateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Transmission
106 Switching off the engine
G
Risk of accident
If the engine is not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering and
brakes. Steering and braking then takes
much more effort.
As a result, you might lose control of the
vehicle, cause an accident and injure your-
self and others.
Do not switch off the engine while driving.
X Move the selector lever to P.
Using the key
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 75) in
the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated.
i If you switch off the engine using the key
and then remove the key or open one of the
front doors, the automatic transmission will
shift to park position P. Using KEYLESS GO*
X
Press and hold the KEYLESS GO button
(Y page 75).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out
(Y page 26).
i If you use the KEYLESS GO button to
switch off the engine, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to N. If you then open the
driver's or front-passenger door, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to P. Transmission
Notes on the transmission
G
Risk of accident
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any
objects in the driver's footwell. Make sure
that floormats or carpets are correctly
secured and that there is sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid. This could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and cause an accident. Controls
* optional
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
wobuchh
,V ersion: 2.10.6
2008-05-11T11:55:12+02:00 - Seite 106 Dateiname: 6515_4293_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight