2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV transmission

Driving sys
tems 166Front area warning display
1
Left-hand side of the vehicle
2 Right-hand side of the vehicle
3 Indicator segments
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. Parktronic is operational if yellow
indicator segments 3light up. The automatic transmission position deter-
mines which warning display is active: Automatic trans-
mission position Warning display
D Front area activated
R
or N Rear and front areas
activated
P No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance to the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approxi-
mately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. You have reached the minimum dis-
tance. Deactivating/activating Parktronic Vehicles with Parktronic button
You can deactivate and activate Parktronic
via the Parktronic button on the centre con-
sole.
The location of the Parktronic button on the
centre console varies depending on the vehi-
cle's equipment.
1
To deactivate/activate Parktronic
2 Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp 2is on, Parktronic is deac-
tivated.
Vehicles without Parktronic button
You can deactivate and activate Parktronic
via the on-board computer (Y page 134).Controls
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Air conditioning
186
The following messages can appear in the
display: Display Meaning
The auxiliary heating/
ventilation is activated.
A malfunction has occur-
red in the auxiliary heat-
ing/ventilation. The
heating/ventilation
function selected by the
system is not available.
The vehicle battery is not
charged sufficiently or
the system is faulty. The signal transmission
between the transmitter
and the vehicle is faulty.
The heating system has a
fault or there is insuffi-
cient fuel in the fuel tank.
The auxiliary heating is
not working. The auxili-
ary ventilation is still
functioning. Deactivating the auxiliary heating/venti-
lation
The auxiliary heating switches off automati-
cally after 50 minutes.
i
This time limit can be altered. To do this,
visit a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
X Press the OFFbutton.
The following messages can appear in the
display: Display Meaning
The auxiliary heating/
ventilation is deactiva-
ted.
The signal transmission
between the transmitter
and the vehicle is faulty.
Checking the status of the auxiliary heat-
ing
X
Press the por obutton. The following messages can appear in the
display: Display Meaning
The auxiliary heating/
ventilation is deactiva-
ted.
A malfunction has occur-
red in the auxiliary heat-
ing/ventilation. The
heating or ventilation
function selected by the
system is not available.
The vehicle battery is not
charged sufficiently or
the system is faulty.
The signal transmission
between the transmitter
and the vehicle is faulty. Cont
rols
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Features
210tion for at least 20 seconds before trying
another position.
X Keep the transmitter button on the garage
door's remote control depressed until indi-
cator lamp 1starts to flash rapidly.
The programming was successful if indica-
tor lamp 1flashes rapidly.
X Release the transmitter buttons on the
garage door's remote control and the inte-
grated remote control.
If indicator lamp 1goes out after approxi-
mately 20 seconds and did not flash rapidly
before this:
X Release the transmitter buttons on the
integrated and portable remote controls.
X Repeat the programming procedure. At the
same time change the distance between
the garage door's remote control and the
transmitter buttons in the rear-view mirror.
i If the garage door system works with a
rolling code, after programming you must
synchronise the remote control integrated
in the rear-view mirror with the garage door
system receiver.
You will find further information in the
garage door opening system's operating
instructions, e.g. the sections on "Synchro-
nising the transmitter" or "Registering a new transmitter". You can also call the hot-
line mentioned above.
Opening or closing the garage door Once programmed, the integrated remote
control will assume the function of the garage
door system's remote control. Please read
the operating instructions for the garage door
system.
X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press the transmitter button on the rear-
view mirror that you have programmed to
operate the garage door.
Garage door system with fixed code: indi-
cator lamp 1lights up continuously.
Garage door system with rolling code: indi-
cator lamp 1flashes briefly and then lights
up for approximately two seconds. This is
repeated for up to 20 seconds.
i The transmitter will transmit a signal for
as long as the transmitter button is being
pressed. The transmission will be halted
after a maximum of 20 seconds and indi-
cator lamp 1will flash. Press the trans-
mitter button again if necessary. Clearing the remote control memory X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press and hold transmitter buttons 2and
4 for approximately 20 seconds until indi-
cator lamp 1flashes rapidly.
The memory is cleared.
i You should clear the remote control mem-
ory before selling the vehicle. Compass*
In the Off-road menu* (Y page 126), the
compass displays the compass bearing of
your direction of travel. You will see N,NE, E,
SE, S,SW, Wor NW in the multi-function display.
To obtain an accurate display of your com-
pass bearing, the correct geographical zone
must be set. If necessary, the compass must
also be calibrated (Y page 213).
If the compass is not calibrated or is malfunc-
tioning due to external interference, you will
see the Compass – – – message in the dis-
play.
i Large buildings, bridges, power lines or
large transmitting masts as well as metallic Cont
rols
* optional
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Features
213
X
Use æ orç on the multi-function
steering wheel to select the Vehiclesub-
menu.
X Keep pressing jork until the Com-
pass setting Zone message appears.
The selection marker highlights the current
setting. X
Use æ orç to set the geographical
location.
Calibrating the compass You will only see this function if Audio 20 is
installed in your vehicle.
In order to calibrate the compass correctly,
observe the following points:
R find a suitable place where you can drive
the vehicle a full circle.
R calibrate the compass in the open and not
in the vicinity of steel constructions or high-
voltage transmission lines. R
switch off electric consumers, e.g.
Thermati c/multi-zone Thermotronic*,
windscreen wipers or rear window heating.
R close all doors and the tailgate.
X Start the engine.
X Use æ orç on the multi-function
steering wheel to select the Vehiclesub-
menu.
X Keep pressing jork until the Com-
pass calibration message appears.
The selection marker highlights switched
off . X
Use æ orç to select Start.
In the multi-function display, you will see
the Compass calibration active
Please drive a full circle message.
X Drive the vehicle a full circle at approxi-
mately 5 – 10 km/h.
When calibration is completed, you will see
the following message in the multi-function display:
Compass calibration Comple-
ted successfully
If you do not see the Compass calibration
Completed successfully message in the
multi-function display, drive another full cir-
cle. If calibration is not successful within
three minutes of it starting, the Compass
calibration message will appear in the
multi-function display again. This means that
compass calibration is impossible because of
external interference. Repeat calibration at
another location. Floormat* on the driver's side
G
Risk of accident
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance
around the pedals when floormats are
used, and that the floormats are properly
secured.
The floormats must be secured at all times
using retainers and studs.
Before you drive off, make sure that the
floormats are secure and rectify if neces-
sary. A floormat which is not properly
secured can slip and thereby interfere with
the movement of the pedals. Controls
* optional
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Refuelling
216 Running-in notes
The first 1,500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from the very start, you will be rewarded with
excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R You should therefore drive at varying road
and engine speeds for the first 1,500 km.
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throt-
tle, during this time. Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of
the maximum permissible engine speed for
each gear.
R Change gear in good time.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake.
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the pressure point (kick-
down).
R Only use ranges 3,2or 1for slow driving,
e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,500 km you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds. Additional driving tips for AMG vehicles:
R
Do not drive faster than 140 km/h for the
first 1,500 km.
R Only bring the engine up to a maximum
speed of 4,500 rpm for a brief period.
R It is advisable to select drive program Cfor
comfort mode.
i You should also observe these notes if the
engine or rear axle transmission on your
vehicle has been replaced. Refuelling
Refuelling
G
Risk of explosion
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking are therefore prohibited when
handling fuels.
Switch off the engine and the auxiliary heat-
ing* before refuelling. G
Risk of injury
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapours. G
Risk of fire
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Never mix diesel with petrol.
This causes damage to the fuel system and
engine and could result in the vehicle catch-
ing fire.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel
vehicles with a petrol engine. Even a small
quantity of the wrong fuel will damage the
injection system. Damage resulting from Operation
* optional
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Driving
tips 234 G
Risk of accident
New brake pads/linings only reach their
optimum braking effect after several hun-
dred kilometres of driving. Before this opti-
mum braking effect is reached, you should
compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying greater pressure when braking.
This also applies after the brake discs or the
brake pads/linings have been replaced.
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. Braking can there-
fore cause noises. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R environmental conditions, such as temper-
ature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual driv-
ing style and operating conditions.
Because of this, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all circum- stances. An aggressive driving style will lead
to high wear. Tyre grip
G
Risk of accident
Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled
at a certain speed on dry roads, you must
reduce your speed on wet or icy roads to
achieve the same road safety. Otherwise
you could cause an accident.
Pay particular attention to the road condi-
tions at temperatures around freezing
point.
If ice has formed on the road surface (e.g.
from fog), a light film of water rapidly forms
on the ice when you brake, considerably
reducing tyre grip. Drive with particular
care in such weather conditions. Driving on wet roads
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and
brake carefully. Driving on flooded roads
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the maximum permitted still water depth
depends on the vehicle equipment
(Y page 239)
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace
! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in
front or in the opposite direction create
waves. This may cause the maximum per-
missible water depth to be exceeded.
You must observe these notes, otherwise
damage may occur to the engine, electrics
and transmission. Operation
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Off-road driving
237
necessary. Foreign objects can disturb the
balance and cause vibrations. Travelling uphill
Approach/departure angle 1
Front approach/departure angle
2 Rear approach/departure angle
The table shows approach and departure
angles 1and 2when the vehicle is loaded
and ready to drive.
For vehicles with steel springs, loaded and
ready to drive means: a full tank, all fluids
topped up and the driver is in the vehicle.
On vehicles with the AIRMATIC package* or
the off-road engineering package* and on the ML 63 AMG, the approach/departure angles
are not affected up to the maximum load. 1
1 1 1
26 2
2 Steel-spring vehi-
cles 27° 22° 26°
Vehicles with the
AIRMATIC package*
Raised level 31° 25° 29°
Highway level 25° 18° 24°
ML 63 AMG
Raised level 24° – 26°
Highway level 19° – 21°
Vehicles with the
Off-Road Pro engi-
neering package*
Off-road level 3 33° 27° 30°
Off-road level 2 31° 25° 29°
Off-road level 1 28° 22° 26°
Highway level 25° 18° 24° R
Follow the line of fall when driving on slopes
and steep inclines.
R Before driving on extreme uphill and down-
hill gradients, select the off-road drive pro-
gram or the LOW RANGE* off-road gear.
R Observe the warnings for off-road driving
(Y page 235).
R Drive slowly.
R Accelerate gently and make sure that the
wheels are gripping.
R Avoid high engine speeds, except when
driving on sandy and muddy routes with
high driving resistance.
R Select a shift range appropriate to the gra-
dient.
R Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1.
i The vehicle will not roll backwards when
stopping on an uphill gradient if:
R the automatic transmission is in position
D
R you have selected the LOW RANGE* off-
road gear.
Depress the brake pedal when stopping on
steep uphill gradients. Hill start assist will
26 Vehicles with AMG body styling*. Operation
* optional
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Care
248 H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging, cleaning
cloths and polishing wads in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces, otherwise you could
damage the paintwork. Vehicle care
! Do not park the vehicle for a long period
of time directly after cleaning, especially if
the wheels have just been cleaned with a
wheel cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
rapid corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. After cleaning, park
the vehicle when it is at normal operating
temperature.
Automatic car wash You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start. !
Vehicles with an exterior spare wheel
bracket* must not be washed in an auto-
matic car wash.
! Do not use a touch-free automatic car
wash that uses chemical agents to wash
the vehicle.
Preferably use one without brushes.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle. Fold in
the exterior mirrors before the vehicle is
washed. There is otherwise a risk of dam-
age to the exterior mirrors.
! Make sure that the automatic transmis-
sion is not in position Pwhen washing your
vehicle in an automatic car wash.
R Vehicles with a key:
Do not remove the key from the ignition
lock. Do not open the driver's or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off, as this automatically shifts
the automatic transmission to park posi-
tion Pand locks the wheels, unless you have shifted the automatic transmission
to
N.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS GO*:
Do not open the driver's or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off, as this shifts the automatic
transmission to park position Pand locks
the wheels.
! Make sure the side windows are com-
pletely closed, the ventilation/heater
blower is fully turned off and the wind-
screen wiper switch is set to 0. The rain
sensor may otherwise be activated, for
instance, leading to inadvertent wiper
sweeps being triggered. This could cause
damage to the vehicle.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windscreen and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the wind-
screen.
High-pressure cleaners G
Risk of accident
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with cir-
cular-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean Operation
* optional
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