Contents
Driving systems ................................. 244
Cruise control............................... 244
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 249
Off-road driving program .............. 253
Air suspension program* ............. 254
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 255
Vehicle level control* ................... 255
Parktronic system* ...................... 259
Rear view camera* ....................... 264
Loading .............................................. 266
Carriers* ...................................... 266
Loading instructions ..................... 266
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 268
Hooks ........................................... 269
Expanding cargo compartment .... 269
Cargo compartment cover blind ... 271
Cargo net* ................................... 272
Cargo management system*........ 275Useful features .................................. 279
Storage compartments ................ 279
Parcel nets ................................... 283
Cup holders.................................. 284
Ashtrays ....................................... 285
Cigarette lighter ........................... 286
Power outlets ............................... 287
Floormats ..................................... 289
Heated steering wheel* ............... 290
Telephone* .................................. 291
Tele Aid ........................................ 294
Garage door opener ..................... 302
Compass ...................................... 307
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 308
Operation......................................... 309
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 310
Driving instructions ........................... 311
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 311
Drinking and driving ..................... 311
Pedals .......................................... 311
Power assistance ......................... 312
Brakes.......................................... 312
Driving off .................................... 315
Parking......................................... 315
Tires ............................................. 315
Hydroplaning................................ 316
Tire traction ................................. 316
Tire speed rating .......................... 317
Winter driving instructions ........... 318
Standing water............................. 319
Off-road driving ............................ 319
Trailer towing ............................... 328
Passenger compartment .............. 334
Driving abroad ............................. 334
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 334
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 335
23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Tailgate119
Power tailgate*119
Cargo compartment
Loading instructions266
Cargo tie-down rings268
Hooks269
Expanding269
Cover blind271
Cargo net*272
Vehicle tool kit448
Spare wheel452
2Rear window defroster206
3Rear lamps464
4Fuel filler flap337
Refueling337
Fuel338,
526
ItemPage
5Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*199
Power folding*200
6Towing eye bolt499
Installing towing eye bolt501
7Tires and wheels348,
515
Checking tire inflation
pressure359
General information348
Flat tire478
Spare wheel452
8Hood341
Opening341
Engine oil343
Coolant345
ItemPage
9Windshield wipers60
Wiper blades, replacing475
Wiper blades, cleaning395
aWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid62
Cleaning395
bRoof rails266
Carriers*266
cPower tilt/sliding sunroof240
dDoors
Locking and unlocking110
Opening118
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency455
eFront lamps464
fHeadlamp cleaning system*199
328 Operation
Driving instructions
Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.
Check tires for possible damage.
Inspect vehicle underbody, oil pan,
brake hoses, etc., as well as vehicle un-
derbody for possible damage.
Check for brush or branches caught in
the underbody.
After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.
Conduct a brake test.
Trailer towing Trailer hitch*
Only install a trailer hitch receiver ap-
proved for your vehicle.
For information on availability and in-
stallation, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
designed for use with clamp-type hitch-
es.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, re-
move the hitch ball adaptor from the
receiver when not in use.
!Brush or branches could increase the possi-
bility of a fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the axles or
drive shafts.
Warning!G
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions in this manual can result in vehi-
cle damage and/or serious personal injury.
Follow the guidelines below carefully to as-
sure safe trailer operation.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center should you require an explana-
tion of information contained in this manual.
329 Operation
Driving instructions
Electrical connections
The vehicle is prewired to accept the
seven-wire harness included in the
Mercedes-Benz approved trailer hitch
receiver kit.
For further information, contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is
the maximum permissible vehicle weight:
ML 350, ML 550, ML 320 CDI:
6235 lb (2830 kg)
ML 63 AMG:
6400 lb (2900 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW):
Comprises weight of vehicle including fuel,
tools, spare wheel, installed accessories,
passengers, cargo and trailer tongue. It
must never exceed the GVWR.Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the
maximum permissible axle weight:
The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the
weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, equipment, luggage etc. loaded on
the trailer. The maximum permissible
gross trailer weight to be towed:
7200 lb (3265 kg)
Trailer Tongue Weight Rating (TWR) is the
maximum permissible weight on the trailer
tongue:
576 lb (261 kg) limit for Mercedes-Benz
approved hitch receiver.Loading a trailer
When loading a trailer, you should ob-
serve that neither the permissible GTW,
nor the GVWR are exceeded.
Maximum permissible values are listed
on the safety compliance certification
labels for the vehicle and for the trailer
to be towed.
The lowest value listed must be select-
ed when determining how the vehicle
and trailer are loaded.
The tongue weight at the hitch ball
must be added to the GVW to prevent
exceeding your Mercedes-Benz tow
vehicle’s rear GAWR.
iA four-pole conversion plug is available from
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as a spare part.
ML 320 CDI
ML 350
ML 550
Front3085 lb (1400 kg)
Rear3525 lb (1600 kg)
ML 63 AMG
Front3180 lb (1440 kg)
Rear3525 lb (1600 kg)
iWe recommend loading the trailer in such a
manner that it has a Tongue Weight (TW)
between 8% and 15% of the Gross Trailer Weight
(GTW).
iMaximum trailer weight ratings are calculat-
ed assuming the vehicle, plus driver. The weight
of other accessories, passengers and cargo will
reduce the maximum trailer weight and Tongue
Weight (TW) your vehicle can tow.
380 Operation
Tires and wheels
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross Trailer Weight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
536 Index
Driving 51, 311
Abroad 334
Hydroplaning 316
In winter 318, 384
Instructions 51, 311
Problems 63
Safety systems 98
Systems 244
Through standing water 319
Through water 324
Driving off 58
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 104
ABS 98
BAS 100
EBP 104
ESP
®100
Driving systems 244
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* 255
Air suspension program* 254
Cruise control 244
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) 249
Off-road driving program 253
Parktronic system* 259Rear view camera* 264
Vehicle level control* 255
Driving tips 190
Accelerator position 190
Kickdown 190
E
Easy-entry/exit feature
Activating (driver’s seat)* 176
Easy-entry/exit feature* 46
EBP 104
Indicator and warning lamps 402,
429
Electrical connections
Trailer 329
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical system, Technical data 519
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 296
Emergency operation
Fuel filler flap 457
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 455,
456Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 197
Emergency operations
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 301
Unlocking/opening the tailgate 456
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 497
Engine shut-down 506
First aid kit 448
Flat tire 478
Fuses 504
Hazard warning flasher 141
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 400, 401, 402, 403, 404,
405, 406, 407, 408, 410
Roadside Assistance 12, 298
Towing the vehicle 499
Emission control 335
Information label 511
System warranties 10
539 Index
G
Garage door opener 302
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 380
Gear range
Automatic transmission 192
Limiting 192
Shifting into optimal 194
Gear selector lever 25, 54, 183
Cleaning 397
Gearshift pattern 183
Messages in the multifunction
display 420
Position 186
Shifting procedure 186
Transmission position 187
Global locking/unlocking see Key,
SmartKey
Glove box 279
Good visibility 199
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVWGTW 380
GVW 380
GVWR 380
H
Halogen headlamp see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 396
Hazard warning flasher 141
Head restraints 44, 127
Active head restraint 88, 127
Front seats, Adjusting 44
Rear seats 89
Rear seats, Adjusting 128
Rear seats, Removing and
installing 128
Headlamp aim
Adjusting 473
Headlamp cleaning system* 199, 346
Headlamp shut-off delay see Delayed
shut-off, Exterior lampsHeadlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 136
Bi-Xenon* 438, 467
Cleaning lenses 393
Cleaning system* 199, 346
Halogen 466
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 438
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 136
Messages in the multifunction
display 438, 439, 440, 441, 442,
443
Replacing bulbs 463, 464
Switch 59, 135
Heated seats see Seat heating*
Heated steering wheel* 290
Height adjustment
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with
Air suspension program*) 257