2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 climate control

378 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

392 Operation
Vehicle care
Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
To protect the filter system, switch the
climate control system (
page 206) or
the automatic climate control system*
(
page 220) to air recirculation mode.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it
before running it through the automatic
car wash.When taking the vehicle through an auto-
matic conveyor type car wash, observe the
following instructions.Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on shift the automatic
transmission to neutral positionN.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 57).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to park
positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 41).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which use caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 61). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

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

532 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 218
Air conditioning, Cooling 229
Air distribution, Front 224
Air distribution, Rear 233
Air recirculation mode 227
Air vents, Front 224
Air volume 225
Control panel, Front 220
Control panel, Rear 231
Deactivating system 222
Defogging 225
Defrosting 225
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL 226
Rear passenger compartment 231
Rear window defroster 203
Residual engine heat (REST) 230
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 229
Automatic headlamp mode 136
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 142
Automatic locking when driving 125
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195Automatic transmission 54
Accelerator position 190
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 197
Gear ranges 192
Gear selector lever 54, 183
Gear shifting malfunctions 197
Hill start assist system 191
Kickdown 190
Kickdown, manual shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shifting procedure 186
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 193
Towing a trailer 191
Transmission fluid level 345
Transmission positions 187
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 129
Seat, Multicontour* 129
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Replacing bulbs 471
Bar 380
BAS 100
Lamps in instrument cluster 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 415
Basic carrier bars* 266
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 110, 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 427
Replacing 461
Battery, Vehicle 489
Charging 496
Disconnecting and connecting 491
Jump starting 497
Removing and installing 491

534 Index
Climate control 204
Air conditioning, Cooling 214, 215
Air distribution, Front 209
Air distribution, Rear 217
Air recirculation mode 212
Air vents, Front 210
Air volume 210
Control panel*, Rear 216
Control panel, Front 206
Deactivating system 208
Defogging 212
Defrosting 210
Rear window defroster 203
Residual engine heat (REST) 215
Clock 27, 169
Cloth upholstery,
Cleaning and care of 397
Cockpit 24
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND system
Cold tire inflation pressure 380
Collapsible tire 518
Collapsible tire (ML 63 AMG only) 453
Collapsible wheel chock 452COMAND system see separate operating
instructions
Combination switch 59, 60, 62, 139
Compass 307
Adjustment 173
Calibration 174
Calling up the compass 307
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 334
Control system 147
Multifunction display 147
Multifunction steering wheel 148
Resetting to factory default 164
Control system menus 147
AIRMATIC*/Compass 162
AMG menu 156
AUDIO 160
NAV* 161
Settings 163
Standard display 154
TEL* 180
Trip computer 178
Vehicle configuration 177
Vehicle status message memory 162Control system submenus 151, 153, 166
Comfort* 176
Instrument cluster 167, 168
Lighting 170
Time/Date 169
Vehicle 173
Coolant 345, 528
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
mixing ratio and quantity 529
Capacities 522
Checking coolant level 339, 345
Messages in the multifunction
display 431, 433
Temperature 336
Temperature display 154
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 140
Messages in the multifunction
display 439
Replacing bulbs 469
Crossing obstacles 325
Cruise control 244
Activating 246
Messages in the multifunction
display 416

540 Index
High beam flasher 59, 140
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 439
Replacing bulbs 464, 466, 467
Switching on 59, 139
High mounted brake lamp 464
Hood 341
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Opening 341
Hooks
Loading 269
Horn 25
HVAC see Climate control or
automatic climate control (3-zone)*
Hydroplaning 316I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition 40, 42, 55
Immobilizer 106
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires,
Inflation pressures
Information button see Tele Aid
Infrared reflecting windshield* 308
Inside door handle 118
Instrument cluster 26, 28, 145
Illumination brightness 145
Lamps 400
Messages in display see Multifunction
display messages
Multifunction display 147
Outside temperature indicator 146
Selecting language 167
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness 145
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see CockpitInterior lighting 142
Delayed shut-off 172
Interior rear view mirror 49
Antiglare positions 199
Auto-dimming mirrors* 199
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
Intermittent wiping
Windshield wipers 61
J
Jack 450, 451
Lifting the vehicle 479
Jump starting 497
K
Key, Mechanical 455
Key, SmartKey 110
Batteries 461
Battery check lamp 110
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 238
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof
(Convenience closing feature) 238
Closing, Power tailgate* 123
Factory setting 112

543 Index
M
Main dimensions 520
Maintenance 12, 386
Calling up service indicator
display 388
Clearing service indicator
message 387
Maintenance System 386
Resetting service indicator 388
Service indicator message 386
Service term exceeded 387
Maintenance System 386
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Manual shift program (ML 63 AMG)
Activating 195
Deactivating 196
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL* see
Automatic climate control
(3-zone)* 226Maximum load rating, Tires 381
Maximum loaded vehicle weight,
Tires 381
MB Tex upholstery, Cleaning and care
of 398
Mechanical key 455
Memory function* see Seats
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messages
Microphone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel see Spare wheel
Mirrors
Adjusting 49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors* 199
Exterior rear view mirror 49
Interior rear view mirror 49, 199
MON 338, 526
Multicontour seat* 129Multifunction display 147
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system
submenus
Selecting display 168
Selecting language 167
Multifunction display messages 413
ABS 415
Air suspension program* 447
Brake fluid 430
Brake lamps 438
Brake pads 428
Coolant 433
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 439
Cruise control 416
Doors 435
Downhill Speed Regulation 428
EBP 429
Engine coolant 431, 433
ESP
®405

546 Index
Power windows 235
Cleaning 395
Convenience closing feature 238
Door windows 236
Opening/closing 235
Rear door windows, Blocking
operation 96
Summer opening feature 237
Synchronizing, Door windows 237
Practical hints 448
Premium unleaded gasoline 526
Problems
While driving 63
With starting see Starting difficulties
With the vehicle 18
Product information 9
Production options weight 381
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 194
PSI 381
Push-starting see Tow-startingR
Radio
AUDIO menu, Control system 160
Selecting station 160
Selecting station (satellite*) 160
Radio transmitters 334
Range (distance to empty) 180
Range of the sensors
Parktronic* 261
Reading lamp, front 142
Reading lamp, rear interior 143
Rear automatic climate control 231, 233
Rear center console ashtray see Ashtrays
(Depending on vehicle configuration)
Rear climate control* 216
Rear door windows
Blocking operation 96
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear towing eye 502Rear towing eye, Vehicles with Sport
Package* 502
Rear view camera* 264
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 203
Rear window wiper/washer 62
Rear windows see Power windows
Rear wiper blade 476
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 381
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 301
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 525
Refueling 337
Regular checks 339
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
SmartKey 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 113
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 301
Removing rear seat cushions (Vehicles
with cargo management system*) 277