2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV towing

Trailer towing*
244
!
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients you
must select the shift range 1,2or 3in good
time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, Distronic* or Speedtronic.
This uses the braking effect of the engine and
you will not have to brake to such an extent
to maintain the same speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side: X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Folding in the ball coupling
i Fold in the ball coupling when you are not
using the trailer tow hitch. 1
Telescopic lever
2 Indicator lamp
X Place the protective cap on the ball cou-
pling. Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
245G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the pivoting range of the ball coupling.
Otherwise, they could be injured.
X Pull telescopic lever 1out forwards.
X Pull telescopic lever 1upwards.
The ball coupling disengages and folds
down under the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp 2flashes.
X Guide telescopic lever 1back again. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow by hand until it engages behind
the bumper.
Indicator lamp 2goes out and the mes-
sage in the multi-function display disap-
pears. Trailer power supply
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket outlet is equipped with a per-
manent power supply and a power supply that
is switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
! You can connect consumers with a power
rating of up to 240 W to the permanent
power supply and up to 180 W to the power
supply that is switched on via the ignition
lock.
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics from a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X To switch the switched power supply on
or off: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or 0, respectively. Trailer with 7-pin connector
If your trailer has a 7-pin connector, you can
connect it to the 13-pin socket on the ball
coupling using an adapter or, if necessary, an
adapter cable. Both of these can be obtained
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Fitting the adapter 1
Connector with lug
2 Socket with groove Operation
* optional
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253
Where will I find...?
...........................254
Display messages ............................. 259
Troubleshooting ................................ 285
Locking/unlocking in an emer-
gency ................................................. 308
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO
head restraints .................................. 310
Changing the batteries .....................311
Changing the bulbs ...........................312
Replacing the wiper blades ..............321
Flat tyre ............................................. 323
Battery ............................................... 334
Jump-starting .................................... 339
Towing and tow-starting ..................340
Fuses .................................................. 343 Practical advice
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Where will I find...?
255First-aid kit
i Check the expiry date of the first-aid kit
annually, and replace the contents when
necessary.
The first-aid kit is located behind the side trim
in the luggage compartment. 1
First-aid kit
X Open the side trim (Y page 318).
X Remove first-aid kit 1. Fire extinguisher*
i Have the fire extinguisher refilled after
each use and checked every one or two
years. Otherwise, it may fail in an emer-
gency.
Observe the legal requirements in all coun-
tries concerned.
The fire extinguisher is located underneath
the front of the driver's seat. 1
Tab
2 Fire extinguisher
X Pull tab 1upwards.
X Remove fire extinguisher 2. Vehicle tool kit, TIREFIT, jack, spare
wheel* and emergency spare wheel*
The vehicle tool kit, TIREFIT kit, jack and
emergency spare wheel* are in a stowage
space under the luggage compartment floor.
X Open the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 254).
The vehicle tool kit contains:
R a towing eye
R a wheel wrench
R a folding wheel chock
R a pair of gloves
The spare wheel* is in the exterior spare
wheel bracket* (Y page 256). G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed.
If you are carrying out work on the vehicle,
you must use stands.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip and level surface. Do not use
wooden blocks or similar objects as a jack
underlay. Otherwise, the jack will not be Practical advice
* optional
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Where will I find...?
256 able to achieve its load-bearing capacity
due to the restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while a
wheel is being changed.
i When using the jack, you should also
observe the safety notes in the "Flat tyre"
section (Y page 323).
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit/exterior
spare wheel bracket* 1
TIREFIT kit 27
2 Electric air pump 28
3 Centring pin
4 Jack, ratchet ring spanner 28
5 Wheel wrench 6
Folding wheel chock
7 Towing eye
8 Trailer ball coupling*
9 Fuse allocation chart
Exterior spare wheel bracket* G
Risk of injury
The spare wheel is heavy. Make sure that
nobody is injured as you remove the spare
wheel.
The spare wheel is on the outer side of the
tailgate. 1
Securing bolts X
Unscrew and remove retaining screws 1
with the wheel wrench.
X Take the spare wheel from the bracket.
i If the vehicle is fitted with mixed tyres, the
spare wheel is the same type as on the front
wheels.
Vehicles with a "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel* (except ML 63 AMG) There may be an additional cover over the
stowage well, depending on the vehicle
equipment.
27 Not for vehicles with an exterior spare wheel bracket.
28 Depending on the date of production of the vehicle, the appearance and stowage location of the jack and the other tools may differ from the illustrations. Practical advice
* optional
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Where will I find...?
257
Vehicles with an EASY-PACK load-secur-
ing kit*
1
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel*
2 Emergency spare wheel cover
3 EASY-PACK load-securing kit* bag
X Remove emergency spare wheel cover 2
with EASY-PACK load-securing kit* bag
3. 1
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel*
2 Stowage well
3 Trailer ball coupling*
4 Centring pin
5 Towing eye
6 Wheel wrench
Underneath "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel* 1:
R Folding wheel chock
R Jack
R Wheel bolts for "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel*
R Fuse allocation chart Removing the "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel*
1
Emergency spare wheel retainer
2 Stowage well
X Turn emergency spare wheel retainer 1
anti-clockwise and remove.
X Remove stowage well 2.
X Remove "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel*. Practical advice
* optional
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Where will I find...?
258
Vehicles with a collapsible emergency
spare wheel* (only ML 63 AMG) 1
Electric air pump
2 Collapsible emergency spare wheel*
3 Stowage well
4 Trailer ball coupling*
5 Centring pin
6 Towing eye
7 Wheel wrench
Underneath collapsible emergency spare
wheel* 2:
R Folding wheel chock
R Jack
R Fuse allocation chart Taking out the collapsible emergency
spare wheel*
1
Emergency spare wheel retainer
2 Stowage well
X Remove stowage well 2.
X Turn emergency spare wheel retainer 1
anti-clockwise and remove.
X Take out the collapsible emergency spare
wheel*.
Setting up the foldable wheel chock The folding wheel chock serves as an addi-
tional measure for securing the vehicleagainst rolling away, e.g. when a wheel is
being changed.
1
To fold the plates upwards
2 To fold out the lower plate
3 To insert the plate
X Fold both plates 1upwards.
X Fold out lower plate 2.
X Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
the openings in base plate 3.Practical advice
* optional
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Display
messages 271Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
> Level selection
not permitted You cannot change the vehicle level. Pos-
sible causes:
R
You are exceeding the speed permissi-
ble for the selected vehicle level.
R You are towing a trailer.
R The socket of the trailer coupling is
being used, for example, by a cycle
rack. X
Drive slower and reselect the desired vehicle
level.
X Observe the notes on trailer towing
(Y page 243). > Compressor cooling
down You have selected a higher vehicle level.
The compressor first needs to cool down
because of frequent level changes. X
Drive as appropriate for the current vehicle
level.
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clear-
ance.
X Allow the compressor to cool down.
Once the compressor has cooled down, the
message disappears. The vehicle then contin-
ues rising to the selected level. > Malfunction
The level control has malfunctioned*. X
Drive as appropriate for the current vehicle
level, but no faster than 80 km/h.
X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clear-
ance.
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. 30
Only for certain countries. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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