2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 off-road

104 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
EBP
The EBP enhances braking effectiveness
by allowing the rear brakes to supply a
greater proportion of the braking effort
without a loss of vehicle stability.
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 402) and
(
page 429).
4-ETS
The 4-Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under
slippery road conditions. The brakes are
applied to the spinning wheel and power is
transferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the instru-
ment cluster, starts to flash at any vehicle
speed, as soon as a tire loses traction and
the wheel begins to spin.
Warning!G
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning. However, the rear
wheels may lock during hard braking, caus-
ing you to lose control over the vehicle and
possibly causing an accident. Adjust your
driving style to the non-operating status of
the EBP.
iIf conditions require, switch on off-road
driving program (
page 253).
Warning!G
When you see ESP® warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, then pro-
ceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents resul-
ting from excessive speed.

105 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 400) and
(
page 413).
Off-road - 4-ETS
With the off-road driving program switched
on (
page 253), the 4-ETS designed for
off-road use is automatically activated.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the parking brake
on a brake test dynamometer and such testing
should be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iIf the yellow ESP® warning lampv
comes on while driving, the 4-ETS is being
switched off temporarily to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes. In addition, the
message
ESP Unavailable See Operator’s
Manual
appears in the multifunction display.

151 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6
Standard displayAMG1
1AMG vehicles only.
Off-road Mode1AUDIONAV*AIRMATIC*/Compass
(page 154)(page 156)(page 159)(page 160)(page 161)(page 162)
Commands/submenus
Trip- and main odometerEngine oil tem-
peratureOff-road driving
program on/offSelecting radio
stationRoute guidance in-
structions, current
direction traveledCompass
Checking tire inflation
pressureVehicle supply
voltageSelecting satellite
radio station*Vehicle level*
Checking coolant tem-
peratureRACETIMEROperating CD
player
Calling up digital speed-
ometer or outside tem-
peratureOverall analysis
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorLap analysis
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within thesystem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays. The firstfunction displayed in each menu will automati-
cally show you which part of the system you are
in.

159 Controls in detail
Control system
Lap analysis
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
Press buttonj repeatedly until the
lap analysis appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Lap length
5Average speed during lap
Press buttonj ork to see
other lap analyses.
Off-road Mode menu
Use this function to switch the off-road
driving program (
page 253) On or Off.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the Off-road mode menu appears
in the multifunction display.
Off-road mode
Press buttonæ orç to switch
the off-road driving program
On or Off.The symboly appears in the lower
multifunction display.
iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
the RACETIMER.
iEach lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol1.
iThis function is only available in AMG
vehicles.
iThe setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.

244 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 244), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 249), which supports you
when you are driving downhill.

Off-road driving program (page 253),
which supports you when you are driv-
ing off-road.

Air suspension program*
The system consists of two compo-
nents.

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(
page 255), which adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics.

Vehicle level control*
(
page 255), which controls the
vehicle level.

Parktronic* (page 259) and rear view
camera* (
page 264), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 98).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
iThe cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 245).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed, or if no speed is stored, it
will set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5seconds.
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)For more information, see “Off-road driv-
ing” (
page 319).
The DSR is an aid for driving downhill. DSR
regulates your vehicle’s speed when driv-
ing downhill to the value set in the control
system (
page 178). The steeper the
downhill gradient is, the greater the brake
application. On flat road surfaces, DSR
brakes only slightly or not at all.
DSR regulates the vehicle’s speed in auto-
matic transmission positionsD, orR.
You can drive slower or faster than the set
speed at any time by braking the vehicle or
depressing the accelerator pedal.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
Warning!G
Downhill Speed Regulation is a convenience
system designed to assist the driver during
vehicle operation. The system must be set
to be appropriate for the topographical and
weather conditions encountered which can
change quickly. The driver is and must
remain at all times responsible for the vehi-
cle speed and for safe brake operation.
Depending on the programmed speed
(
page 178), actual vehicle speed and gra-
dient, switching on the DSR while driving
can cause the vehicle to slow down rapidly
and you may hear a sound which is caused
by the activation of the vehicle’s brake sys-
tem through the DSR. Sudden and unex-
pected deceleration can result in loss of
vehicle control, causing an accident and/or
serious personal injury to you and others.
Do not switch on the DSR in a circumstance
where rapid deceleration could result in a
loss of vehicle control.
iIn addition, make use of the engine’s braking
effect by shifting the automatic transmission
into a lower gear.

253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed decreases in incre-
ments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
Each time the set speed is changed,
DSR will appear in the multifunction dis-
play and the newly set speed is shown.
Off-road driving program
The off-road driving program is designed to
assist the driver when driving off-road in
terrain and crossing water. The off-road
driving program adjusts the engine power
and shifting of the automatic transmission
to be more suitable for the off-road use of
the vehicle. In addition, the ABS, ESP
®, and
4-ETS designed for off-road use are
automatically activated.
In the following situations you should
switch to the off-road driving program:

during off-road driving

when crossing water (page 324)

when towing up or down on steep
gradientsThe switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1Switch for off-road driving program
2Indicator lamp
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate or decelerate. Keep in mind that it
may take a brief moment until the vehicle has
reached the new set speed.
iThe set speed is canceled when DSR is
switched off. If DSR is switched on again, DSR
will use the programmed default speed
(
page 178).
iIn the ML 63 AMG, the off-road driving
program is switched on and off via the control
system (
page 159).

254 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching Off-road driving program on
Press switch1 (page 253).
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The
symboly appears in the lower
multifunction display.
Switching Off-road driving program off
Press switch1 again.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The
symboly disappears.
Air suspension program*
The system consists of two components.
The vehicle level control* regulates the
ride height of the vehicle. The Adaptive
Damping System (ADS)* optimizes your
vehicle’s suspension tuning.

Suspension tuning: Adaptive Damping
System (ADS)* (
page 255)

Vehicle level control* (page 255)
ML 63 AMG
iThe Air suspension program is part of the
standard equipment range. Due to the vehicle’s
sportier suspension tuning, in comparison with
standard vehicles, the level positions in the ADS
settings as well as the speed thresholds for rais-
ing and lowering the vehicle have been modified.
iFrom the Highway/High-speed level, the
vehicle is lowered to the ADS Sport level approx-
imately 20 seconds after it is locked.
From the raised level, the vehicle is not lowered
after it is locked.
When the engine is started, the previously se-
lected setting, e.g. ADS COMF, is selected again.
!Be sure to observe this vehicle’s differing
values for ground clearance and vehicle height in
comparison to standard vehicles. You could oth-
erwise damage the vehicle. The values for

opening the tailgate (page 119)

driving off-road (page 319)

the vehicle’s main dimensions can be found
in the “Technical data” section (
page 520)