301 Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
tailgate recessed handle for minimum
of 20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
Connecting Call ap-
pears in the multifunction display.As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
The Response Center will then unlock your
vehicle with the remote door unlocking
feature.Stolen Vehicle Recovery services
In the event your vehicle was stolen:
Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered
incident report.
Pass this number on to the
Mercedes-Benz Response Center along
with your password issued to you when
you subscribed to the service.
The Response Center will then attempt
to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is
located, the Response Center will
contact the local law enforcement and
you. The vehicle’s location will only be
provided to law enforcement.
If you have any questions, please call the
Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in
the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not reset, contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer
Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
iThe remote door unlock feature is available
if the relevant cellular phone network is avail-
able.
The SOS button will flash and the message
Connecting Call will appear in the multifunc-
tion display to indicate receipt of the door unlock
command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center
specialist may attempt to establish voice contact
with the vehicle occupants.
If the tailgate recessed handle was pulled for
more than 20 seconds before door unlock autho-
rization was received by the Response Center,
you must wait 15 minutes before pulling the tail-
gate recessed handle again.
iWhen the anti-theft alarm stays on for more
than 30 seconds, a call is initiated automatically
to the Response Center. See anti-theft alarm
system (
page 106).
455 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you cannot unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the
driver’s door using the mechanical key.Removing the mechanical key
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 in direction of
arrow.
The mechanical key2 comes out.
Slide mechanical key2 out of the
housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
Insert mechanical key2 into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key2 counterclock-
wise to position1 and hold it there.
Pull the door handle until the locking
knob moves up (
page 118).
The driver’s door is unlocked.
Pull the door handle once more to open
the driver’s door.
iUnlocking the driver’s door with the
mechanical key will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, insert the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter
switch.
1Unlocking
2Mechanical key
456 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, lock the vehi-
cle carrying out the following steps.
Close the front passenger door, the
rear right door and the tailgate.
Open the driver’s door and the rear left
door.
Press the central locking switch on the
driver’s door (
page 126).
The locking knobs of the front passen-
ger door and the rear doors move
down.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected or
drained:
Press down the locking knobs of
the front passenger door and the
rear doors manually.
Exit the vehicle.
Close the driver’s door.
Enter the vehicle through the rear left
door.
Press down the locking knob of the
driver’s door.
Exit the vehicle.
Close the rear left door.
The vehicle is locked.
Unlocking and opening the tailgate
A minimum height clearance of 7.2 ft
(2.20 m) is required to open the tailgate.If the tailgate can no longer be unlocked
and opened using the Œbutton on the
SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO* function,
use the emergency release lever to unlock
and open the tailgate.
The emergency release lever is located on
the inside of the tailgate.
1Emergency release lever
2CoverRemove cover2 from the trim on the
tailgate.
Push release lever1 all the way to the
left.
Lift the tailgate.
!To prevent inadvertent lockout, make sure
to have the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you before proceeding with
the next step. The next step will lock the vehicle.
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel filler flap.
457 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Fuel filler flap
Open the tailgate (page 119).
The fuel filler flap release is located behind
a cover in the right side trim panel of the
cargo compartment.
1Lock
2Cover
Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot of lock1.
Turn lock1 by 90° in direction of
arrow.
Remove cover2.3Fuel filler flap release
Pull yellow fuel filler flap release3 in
direction of arrow.
The fuel filler flap is unlocked.
Open the fuel filler flap (page 337).
!Always make sure there is sufficient over-
head clearance.
iIf the vehicle has previously been locked
from the outside using the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*, opening the tailgate from the
inside using the emergency release lever will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the following:
Insert the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Pull an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be
within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(
page 41).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
inside the vehicle.
531 Index
A
ABS 98
Indicator lamp 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 415
Off-road - ABS 99
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 190
Accessory weight 379
Accident 64
Active head restraint 88, 127, 458
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)* 255
Air bags 74
Children 75, 89
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 31, 83
Front, Driver 77
Front, Passenger 77
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 79
Safety guidelines 76
Side impact (front and rear*) 78
Window curtain 78Air conditioning refrigerant 525
Air conditioning system see
Climate control or
Automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Air conditioning, Cooling 214, 229
Air distribution, Front 209, 224
Air distribution, Rear 217, 233
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric (ML 63 AMG) 485
Air recirculation mode 212, 227
Air suspension program* 254
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 255
Messages in the multifunction
display 447
Vehicle level control* 255
Air vents 217
Air vents, Front 210, 224
Air vents, Rear 234
Air volume 210, 225
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 450, 483Anticorrosion/antifreeze 529
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 199
Antiglare, Rear view mirrors* 199
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 107
Anti-theft alarm system 106, 107
Immobilizer 106
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest storage/telephone* compart-
ment
Front 281
Ashtrays (Depending on vehicle
configuration) 285
Aspect ratio 379
ATF 345
Attaching a trailer 330
AUDIO menu 160
Audio menu
CD operation 161
Radio operation 160
Satellite radio* operation 160
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 199
Automatic central locking, Control
system 175
542 Index
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 400
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 255
Alarm system 107
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 117
Battery (SmartKey) 112
Brakes 27, 401, 402
Center console 31, 411
CHECK ENGINE 29, 403, 404
Downhill Speed Regulation 250
Engine diagnostics 29, 403, 404
ESP
®27, 405
Fog lamps, Front/rear 135
Front passenger front air bag off 31,
78
Fuel reserve 29, 410
High beam headlamps 29
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 400, 401,
402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408,
410
Off-road driving program 253
Parktronic* 262Preglow indicator, Diesel engine 29
Seat belt telltale 29, 87, 406
Seat belts 407
Seat heating* 130
Seat ventilation* 131
SRS 29, 72, 87, 410
Turn signals 27
Vehicle level control* 257
Language, Setting 167
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
(ML 320 CDI) 512
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
(ML 350, ML 550) 512
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
(ML 63 AMG) 512
Leather upholstery*, Cleaning and care
of 398
Lever for cruise control 244
License plate lamps 473
Messages in the multifunction
display 440
Replacing bulbs 464, 473
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 396Light sensor
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Lighter see Cigarette lighter (Depending
on vehicle configuration)
Lighting, Exterior and interior 135
Limp-Home Mode 197, 403, 404
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting 138, 171
Lock buttons, KEYLESS-GO*
Outside door handle 69
Locking the vehicle see Key
Loss of keys, Mechanical key 118
Loss of keys, SmartKey 118
Loss of keys, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 118
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 509
Low beam headlamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 440
Replacing bulbs 464
Switching on 59, 135
Lubricants 522
Lumbar support 129
545 Index
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 393
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service term 387
Overhead control panel 33
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) 335
P
Paintwork code 510
Paintwork, Cleaning 390
Panic alarm 97
Parcel net
Front passenger footwell 283
Front seat backrests 283
Parking 65, 315
On hills 65
Over things that burn, Potential
consequences 65, 335
Parking brake 57, 65
Lamps, Indicator and warning 401
Messages in the multifunction
display 429
Releasing 57
Parking lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 441
Replacing bulbs 468Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 177, 200
Parktronic* 31, 259
Cleaning system sensors 394
Minimum distance 261
Range 261
Switching on/off 263
System malfunction 263
System sensors 260
System sensors, Cleaning 394
Warning indicators 25, 262
Parts service 508
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 334
Fuse box 506
Interior lighting 142
Interior rear view mirror 33
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 283Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 311
Phone see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, cleaning 396
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout (ML 320 CDI) 512
Layout (ML 350, ML 550) 512
Layout (ML 63 AMG) 512
Positions (Memory function*) see Seats
Pounds per square inch see PSI
Power assistance 312
Power outlets 287
Power seat see Seats, Power
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 240
Convenience closing feature 238
Opening/closing 240
Stopping 238
Summer opening feature 237
Synchronizing 242
Power washer 390