2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Ac rest

134 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats (page 43).
On the driver’s side, additionally adjust
the steering wheel (
page 48) and ex-
terior rear view mirrors (
page 49) to
the desired positions.
Press memory buttonM.
Release memory buttonM and press
stored position button1,2 or3 within
3 seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold stored position
button1,2 or3 until the seat, steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors
have fully moved to the stored posi-
tions.
!Do not operate the power seats using
memory buttonM if the seat backrest is in an
excessively reclined position. Doing so could
cause damage to front or rear seats.
Move seat backrest to an upright position first.
iReleasing the stored position button stops
movement to the stored positions immediately.

157 Controls in detail
Control system
RACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
Press buttonj repeatedly until the
RACETIMER appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap numberStarting the RACETIMER
Press buttonæ.
The timer starts.
Displaying intermediate time
Press buttonç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
Stopping the RACETIMER
Press buttonæ.
The timer stops.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under all circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain re-
sponsible for following posted speed limits.
iYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 40).
iWhile the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using
buttonsæ orç.iWhen you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position1 (
page 40) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you
switch the ignition back on (
page 40) or
restart the engine (
page 54) and then press
buttonæ.

195 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode
Automatic shift program
You can choose between automatic shift
program C or S.
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectCfor standard driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectSfor sporty driving:

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.
Manual shift program
In the manual program mode M,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
the gears by manually upshifting or down-
shifting using the steering wheel gearshift
control buttons to the left and right of the
steering wheel (
page 193).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the
M for the manual
program modeM appears in the multi-
function display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually with
drive positionD selected. You can upshift
or downshift through the gears in succes-
sion.
iThe last selected program mode (C or S) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.
iThe manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.

196 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button2
(
page 193).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
If you have selected the AMG menu in the
control system and you are driving in the
manual program modeM, upshift
indicator2 in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you
can drive at the maximum engine speed for
each gear without overrevving the engine.1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicator
Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.
Downshifting
Briefly press left shift button1
(
page 193).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 194) repeatedly until
CorS appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.
!In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrewing range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
rewing range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iWhen you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or drive off.

197 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be activated.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Shift to park positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Shift to drive positionD (for second
gear) or reverse gearR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.

215 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button9 (page 206).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button9 (page 206) again.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating
Switch off the ignition (page 40).
Press button9 (page 206).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button9 (page 206).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned on
again, this indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned
off.
Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on

the coolant temperature

the battery voltage
Regardless of the temperature and air volume
set on the climate control panel, the interior tem-
perature is set to 72°F (22°C) and the blower
runs on low speed to protect the vehicle battery.
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off:

when the ignition is switched on

after about 30 minutes

if the coolant temperature is too low

if the battery voltage drops

229 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle down to the selected interior tempera-
ture. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thereby preventing the windows from fog-
ging up.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press button9 (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The cooling function switches off
after a short delay.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button9 again.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R-134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Using driver-side settings for all tem-
perature zones
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
These settings only need to be made once
and the automatic climate control system
will automatically regulate the settings for
all temperature zones quickly and comfort-
ably.
iCondensation may drip out from underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication
of a malfunction.
Warning!G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
interior air is not dried. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned on
again, this indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned
off.
Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

267 Controls in detail
Loading
Load distribution
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 510). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 510).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 352).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:

Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.

The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
iThe cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 269) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.