2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV ignition

Off-road driving
144
X
Start the engine.
The differential locks are in AUTO mode.
The indicator lamp in selector wheel 1
lights up above symbol for AUTO mode
2.
Engaging manually G
Risk of accident
When driving on a firm road surface, only
drive in AUTO mode, never with manually
engaged differential locks. If differential
locks have been engaged manually, the
vehicle's steerability is greatly impaired
and the risk of accident thereby increased.
Do not manually engage or disengage the
differential locks while cornering. The vehi-
cle motion could otherwise be jerky. You
could lose control of the vehicle as a result
and cause an accident.
Only engage the differential locks manually if
traction in AUTO mode is insufficient.
At speeds of up to 30 km/ h,you can engage
the differential locks in this order: 3, then
4. X
Start the engine.
X Turn selector wheel 1to desired position
3 or4.
The indicator lamp in selector wheel 1
lights up at the corresponding symbol.
The engaged differential appears in the multi-
function display: 5
The differential lock for the transfer case
is locked.
The differential locks are not controlled auto-
matically. The steerability of the vehicle is
restricted considerably. Drive carefully and
accelerate gently for optimum traction.
You can switch back to AUTO mode at any
time. For safety reasons, the differential locks
disengage automatically at speeds above
50 km/h. If you stop the vehicle and switch
off the ignition for longer than ten seconds,
the differential locks switch back to AUTO
mode. Message in the multi-function display
Diff. lock system overheated.
Wait briefly
The differential lock system has overheated
and briefly disengaged.
X
Continue driving.
The differential locks cool off and are soon
available once again. Cont
rols
164_AKB; 5; 5, en-GB
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Driving sys
tems 157
ML 63 AMG The AIRMATIC package is part of the standard
equipment. Due to the sportier suspension
tuning when compared to standard vehicles,
the level positions in the ADS settings and the
speed thresholds for raising and lowering the
vehicle are different.
The vehicle is lowered from highway/high-
speed to ADS Sport level around 20 seconds
after locking. The vehicle is not lowered from
the raised level after locking. When starting
the engine, the previous setting, e.g. ADS
COMF, is restored.
!
Always keep in mind the differences in
ground clearance and vehicle height when
compared to standard vehicles. You could
otherwise damage the vehicle.
You will find different values for ground clear-
ance and vehicle height with regard to:
R off-road driving (Y page 235)
R the general vehicle settings in the "Techni-
cal Data" section (Y page 361) ADS* (Adaptive Damping System)
ADS adapts the damping characteristics to
the current operating and driving situation.
How this is adjusted depends on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. Vehicle with AIRMATIC package*
1
ADS button
2 SPORT indicator lamp
3 COMF indicator lamp You can choose between the following ADS
settings:
R
AUTO for normal driving situations; indica-
tor lamps 2and 3are off.
R SPORT for sporty driving; indicator lamp
2 is on. In comparison to AUTOor
COMF, the vehicle is 15 mm lower.
The ML 63 AMG is 8 mm lower than with
AUTO.
R COMF for a more comfortable ride; indica-
tor lamp 3is on.
The ML 63 AMG is 7 mm higher than with
AUTO.
X Start the engine.
X Press button 1repeatedly until the
desired setting is selected. Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 161R
Avoid sudden major steering move-
ments.
R Take account of the altered handling
characteristics.
If you are driving too fast in off-road level 3,
the Bring speed below 20 km/h message
appears in the multi-function display. You
additionally hear a warning tone. The vehicle
is lowered.
i You cannot clear these messages.
Only select an off-road level when this is
appropriate for the road conditions. Other-
wise, fuel consumption increases and han-
dling performance may be affected.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. 1
To raise the level
2 To lower the level
3 Indicator lamps
X Start the engine.
X Turn selector wheel 1clockwise.
The vehicle is raised.
or
X Turn selector wheel 2anti-clockwise.
The vehicle is lowered. Indicator lamps
3for the desired off-road
level flash:
R Off-road level 1: the lower indicator lamp
flashes
R Off-road level 2: the lower and centre indi-
cator lamps flash
R Off-road level 3: all three indicator lamps
flash
The vehicle is being adjusted to the off-road
level selected. As soon as an off-road level is
reached, the corresponding indicator lamp
stops flashing and lights up constantly.
While the adjustment is taking place, a mes-
sage appears in the multi-function display,
e.g. : The vehicle rises from highway level to off-
road level 1.
If you press the
æorç button on the
multi-function steering wheel, the messages
will disappear. Controls
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Driving sys
tems 164
While the adjustment is taking place, a mes-
sage appears in the multi-function display,
e.g. : If you press the
æorç button on the
multi-function steering wheel, the messages
will disappear.
Once highway level has been reached, all indi-
cator lamps 3go out. You will see a message
in the multi-function display, for example: If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu (Y page 126) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The vehicle automatically selects highway
level if you are driving at a speed above 115 km/h or if you drive at between
100 km/h and 115 km/h for around 20 sec-
onds. At high speeds, the vehicle is lowered
to high-speed level in accordance with the
ADS basic setting (Y
page 157). Parktronic*
G
Risk of accident
Parktronic is only an aid and may not detect
all obstacles. It is not a substitute for atten-
tive driving.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could otherwise endan-
ger yourself and others. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
Parktronic is an electronic parking aid. It indi-
cates visually and audibly the distance
between your vehicle and an object. Parktronic is activated automatically when
you:
R
switch on the ignition
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission to D,Ror
N
Parktronic is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
Parktronic monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. 1
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side Controls
* optional
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Driving sys
tems 168 You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. This applies to the areas
behind, in front of and next to the vehicle.
You could otherwise endanger yourself and
others. G
Risk of accident
Under the following circumstances, the
reversing camera will not function, or func-
tion in a limited manner:
R if the tailgate is open.
R in heavy rain, snow or fog. R
at night or in very dark places.
R if the camera is exposed to very bright
white light.
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light (the
display may flicker).
R if there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. when driving into a heated
garage in winter.
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged.
Have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist work- shop in this case. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose.
Do not use the reversing camera in these
types of situation. You could otherwise
injure others or damage objects and your
vehicle while you are parking.
Activating the reversing camera X
Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND APS display. Controls
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Air conditioning
172 Function Recommendation/Notes
5 {
Directs the airflow through the demister vents (Y
page 181) 6 9
Activates/deactivates cooling with air dehumidifi-
cation i
Switch on the air conditioning with air-dehumidifica-
tion function. The indicator lamp in the 9button
lights up. (Y
page 177) 9
Switches the residual heat function on/off i
You can use the residual heat to heat or ventilate the
vehicle interior after you have switched off the ignition. (Y
page 183) 7 Sets the temperature, right i
Set the temperature to 22 †. (Y
page 178) 8 <
Switches the rear-compartment air-conditioning
on/off (Y
page 176) 9 a
Directs the airflow through the centre and side air
vents (Y
page 181) a Y
Directs the airflow to the footwells and side air
vents (Y
page 181) b Displays the airflow level
c ·
Reduces the airflow (Y
page 181) d 1
Switches the rear window heating on/off i
At very low temperatures, the rear window heating is
only switched on once the vehicle interior has warmed
up. (Y
page 182) e :
Activates/deactivates air-recirculation mode i
Only use this operating mode for a short time, e.g. in
a tunnel. Otherwise, the windows could mist up due to
lack of fresh air. (Y
page 182) Cont
rols
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Air conditioning
175Function Recommendation/Notes
d 9
Activates/deactivates cooling with air dehumidifi-
cation i
Switch on the air conditioning with air-dehumidifica-
tion function. The indicator lamp in the 9button
lights up. (Y
page 177) 9
Switches the residual heat function on/off i
You can use the residual heat to heat or ventilate the
vehicle interior after you have switched off the ignition. (Y
page 183) e Display
f ·
Reduces the airflow (Y
page 181) g :
Activates/deactivates air-recirculation mode i
Only use this operating mode for a short time, e.g. in
a tunnel. Otherwise, the windows could mist up due to
lack of fresh air. (Y
page 182) h 7
Directs the airflow through the centre and side air
vents, left (Y
page 181) j 8
Directs the airflow to the footwells and side air
vents, left (Y
page 181) k Interior temperature sensor
l ;
MONO function i
The settings made for the driver's side are adopted in
three air-conditioning zones. (Y
page 181) Cont
rols
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Air conditioning
176
Rear-compartment air conditioning*
1
Q Increases the airflow
2 Sets the temperature
3 U Controls the air conditioning auto-
matically
4 Z Directs the airflow through the rear
air vents
5 Y Directs the airflow through the foot-
well vents
6 ´ Activates/deactivates the rear-
compartment air conditioning
7 · Reduces the airflow Switching the air conditioning on/off
i When the air conditioning is switched off,
the air supply and air circulation are also
switched off. Only select this setting briefly,
otherwise the windows may mist up.
i Activate the air conditioning primarily
using the Ubutton.
Activating/deactivating the front-com-
partment air conditioning via 2-zone
Thermatic/multi-zone Thermotronic* X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To activate: press the´button.
The indicator lamp in the ´button goes
out. The previously selected settings come
into effect again.
or
X Press the Ubutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ubutton
comes on. Airflow and air distribution are
set to automatic mode.
X To deactivate: press the´button.
The indicator lamp in the ´button
comes on. Activating and deactivating the rear-
compartment air conditioning via 2-
zone Thermatic X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To activate/deactivate: press the<
button (Y page 171).
The indicator lamp in the up or goes out.
Activating and deactivating the rear-
compartment air conditioning via multi-
zone Thermotronic* X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To switch on: press the™button
(Y page 173).
ON and MODE are shown in the multi-zone
Thermotronic* display behind the )
symbol. The MODEdisplay goes out after
three seconds. The display switches back
to the standard display. Cont
rols
* optional
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