2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 child seat

412 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible
cause/consequenceSuggested solution
59The front passenger
front air bag off indica-
tor lamp does not illu-
minate and/or does
not remain illuminated
with the weight of a
typical 12-month-old
child in a standard
child restraint or less
on the front passenger
seat.The system is malfunction-
ing.Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion and
child seat and check installation of the child seat.
Make sure no objects applying supplemental weight
onto the seat are present.
Make sure no objects which apply forces to the seat
are present (e.g. objects such as books, briefcases
etc. lodged behind or around the seat, head restraints
pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize
such forces as supplemental weight.
If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp
remains out, have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Do not transport a child on the front passen-
ger seat until the system has been repaired.
Also note any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 421).
Warning!G
If the59indicator lamp does
not illuminate or remains out with the
weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or less on the front
passenger seat, do not transport a child onthe front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.

421 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible
cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passenger Airbag
Enabled
See Operator’s ManualFront passenger front air bag
is activated while driving even
though a child, small
individual, or object below the
system’s weight threshold is
on the front passenger seat,
or the front passenger seat is
empty. Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the seat may
make the system sense sup-
plemental weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly
secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.
Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat
and make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat
is empty.
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the
seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recog-
nize such forces as supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on
the front passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch
on the ignition (
page 40).
(Continued on next page)

422 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible
cause/conse-
quencePossible solution
Monitor the 59indicator lamp on the center console (page 83) and
the multifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 26) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,

the 59indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and
remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 79) has deactivated the air
bag.

the message Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Operator’s Manual or the
message
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Operator’s Manual should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at
least 60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to
make sure neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 79),
the59indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
If the 59indicator lamp
remains out even after performing the above
corrective steps, do not have any children
12 years old and under and other smallindividuals use the front passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.

489 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located under the front
passenger seat.
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center about steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
iMercedes-Benz recommends to have the
battery replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills immediate-
ly with clear water. Contact a
physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

533 Index
Bead 380
Belt reel 276
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Block heater (Canada only) 385
Bolts, Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 453
Bolts, Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) 452
Brake fluid 525
Checking 339
Messages in the multifunction
display 430
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 393
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Replacing bulbs 471
Brake pads 312
Messages in the multifunction
display 428
Brakes 312
Warning lamp 401
Break-in period 310
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
Button for Voice control* system 30,
148C
California retail buyers and lessees,
Important notice for 11
Camera see Rear view camera*
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 522
Card holder 32, 35, 284
Cargo compartment cover blind 271
Cargo net* 272
Cargo tie-down rings 268
Carpets, Cleaning 397
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine) 335
CD changer* 161, 279
CD player 161
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 125
Locking/unlocking from the
inside 126
Switch 126Certification label 510
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 403, 404
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 365
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 362
Checklist
Off-road driving 322
Returning from off-road driving 327
Children in the vehicle 89
Air bags 75, 89
Blocking rear door window
operation 96
Indicator lamp, Front passenger front
air bag 83
Infant and child restraint systems 84,
90
LATCH-type child seat anchors 93
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 79
Cigarette lighter (Depending on vehicle
configuration) 286

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

544 Index
Fog lamps, Front 439
Fog lamps, Rear 441
Front passenger front air bag 421,
422, 423, 424
Fuel cap 435
Headlamps 438, 439, 441, 443
Hood 435
Key, SmartKey 437
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 436, 437
Lamps 438, 439, 440, 441, 443
Low tire pressure 425, 445, 446
Parking brake 429
Parking lamps 441
Tele Aid 444
Telephone* 444
Turn signals 443
Vehicle battery 427
Windshield washer fluid 444
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 148
Button operation 148N
Navigation system* 161
See separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Net, Cargo* 272
Net, Parcel 283
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 183, 187
New vehicle, Break-in period 310
Night security illumination 138, 171
Normal occupant weight 381
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 510
O
Occupant distribution 381
Occupant safety 72
Active head restraint 88
Air bags 74
Children and air bags 75, 89, 91
Children in the vehicle 89
Fastening the seat belt 51
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 79, 83, 84
Infant and child restraint systems 90
LATCH-type child seat anchors 93
OCS 79OCS, Messages in the multifunction
display 421, 422, 423, 424
Seat belts 51, 76
OCS 79
Self-test 84
Odometer 146, 147, 154
Off-road - 4-ETS 105
Off-road - ABS 99
Off-road - ESP
®103
Off-road driving
Checklist 322, 327
Crossing obstacles 325
Driving instructions for off-road
driving 319
Driving through water 324
Returning 327
Rules 321
Special driving features 320
Steep terrain 322
Off-road driving program 253
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
One-touch gearshifting 193
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10

547 Index
Replacing bulbs 463
Additional turn signals, Exterior rear
view mirrors 470
Backup lamps 463, 471
Brake lamps 463, 471
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 463, 464, 469
Fog lamp, Rear 463, 471
Fog lamps, Front 463, 464, 469
High beam headlamps 463, 464, 467
License plate lamps 463, 473
Low beam headlamps 463, 464, 466
Parking/standing lamps 463, 468,
471, 472
Side marker lamps, Front 463, 464,
466, 469
Side marker lamps, Rear 463, 471
Tail lamps 463, 464, 471, 472
Turn signal lamps, Front 463, 464,
468
Turn signal lamps, Rear 463, 471Reporting safety defects 19
Reset button, In instrument cluster 164
Reset tool
Active head restraints,
Depository 459
Residual heat and ventilation 215, 230
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 183, 187
Rims 381, 515
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance button see Tele Aid
RON 338, 526
Roof rails 266
Rubber parts, Cleaning 396
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 360S
Safety
Driving safety systems 98
Occupant safety 72
Reporting safety defects 19
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 160
Scissors-type vehicle jack 450, 451
Seat belt force limiter 87
Seat belts 84
Children in the vehicle 89
Cleaning 397
Fastening 51
Height adjustment 53
Messages in the multifunction
display 407
Proper use of 53, 86
Safety guidelines 76
Telltale 29, 84, 406
Warning lamp 406, 407
Seat cushion depth see Seats