2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 tailgate

472 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Opening the passenger side trim panel:
1Lock
2Cover in right side trim panel
Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot of lock1.
Turn lock1 counterclockwise by 90°
in direction of arrow.
Remove cover2.Replacing bulbs
Example illustration rear lamp passen-
ger-side
1Brake lamp
2Backup lamp
3Rear fog lamp (only driver’s side), tail
lamp, parking and standing lamp
4Side marker lamp
5Turn signal lamp
Depending on which bulb needs to be
replaced, turn the respective bulb
socket1-5 counterclockwise.
Press gently onto the respective bulb
and turn counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.
Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it en-
gages.
Align the respective bulb
socket1-5 and turn it clockwise.
Make sure bulb socket is attached
properly.
Close the respective cover in the cargo
compartment.
Close the tailgate (page 119).

473 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
License plate lamp
1License plate lamp cover
2Screws
Loosen screws2.
Remove license plate lamp cover1.
Replace the tubular bulb.
Reinstall license plate lamp cover1.
Retighten screws2.
Adjusting headlamp aim
VVertical centerline
HHeadlamp mounting height, measured
from the centerCorrect headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. To check and readjust a head-
lamp, follow the steps described:
Park the vehicle on a level surface
25 feet (7.6 m) from a vertical test
screen or wall.
Switch the headlamps on
(
page 135).
If the beam does not show a beam pattern
as indicated in the figure left, then follow
the steps below:
Open hood (page 341).
iHigh beam adjustments simultaneously aim
the low beam.
Vehicle should have a normal tailgate load.


478 Practical hints
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Make sure the vehicle level is set to
highway (
page 257).
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(
page 141).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight-ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 57).
Set the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 185).
Turn off the engine (page 39).
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Vehicles with SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open the
driver’s door (this puts the starter
switch in position0, same as with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch). The driver’s door then can be
closed again.
Remove the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button from the starter
switch.
Warning!G
The dimensions of the spare wheel
(Minispare wheel or collapsible tire) are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire pressure and do not ex-
ceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Do not open or close any doors or the
tailgate while mounting a spare wheel. The
vehicle could rise or lower to a previously
selected level. You or others could be
injured as a result.
iOpen door only when conditions are safe to
do so.

505 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
Open the hood (page 341).
Example illustration fuse box ML 350
(ML 320 CDI, ML 550, ML 63 AMG similar)
1Fuse box cover
2Clamps
Pull clamps2 in direction of arrow.
Lift fuse box cover1 up.
Install fuse box cover in reverse order.
Close the hood after checking or
replacing fuses (
page 343).
Fuse box in cargo compartment
The fuse box is located in the cargo com-
partment behind the passenger side trim
panel.
1Lock
2CoverRemoving/installing cover
Open the tailgate (page 119).
Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot of lock1 (
page 505).
Turn lock1 counterclockwise by 90°
in direction of arrow.
Remove cover2.
Install cover2 in reverse order.
!The fuse box cover must be installed
properly to prevent moisture and/or dirt from
entering the fuse box and possibly impairing fuse
operation.

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

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

541 Index
Locking/unlocking 38, 68, 110
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 112
Loss of 118
Messages in the multifunction
display 437
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 237
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof
(Summer opening feature) 237
Remote control 110
Replacing batteries 461
Selective setting 112
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 67
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Batteries 118, 461
Battery check lamp 113
Checking battery condition 118
Closing the power windows
(Convenience closing feature) 238
Closing the tilt/sliding sunroof
(Convenience closing feature) 238Closing/locking, Power
tailgate* 124
Factory setting 116
Important notes 115
Locking/unlocking 39, 68, 113
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 116
Loss of 118
Messages in the multifunction
display 436, 437
Opening the power windows
(Summer opening feature) 237
Opening the tilt/sliding sunroof
(Summer opening feature) 237
Remote control 113
Replacing batteries 461
Selective setting 117
Start/stop button 41
Starter switch positions 40, 41
Starting the engine 55
Turning off the engine 67
Kickdown 190
Kilopascal 380L
Labels 510
Certification 510
Emission control information 511
Engine number 511
Paintwork code 510
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) 510
Lamp sensor see Light sensor
Lamps, exterior 464
Front 464
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 438
Messages in display 438
Messages in the multifunction
display 438, 440, 442
Rear 464
Switch 135

549 Index
Spare wheel 518
Bolts 450
Mounting 479
Wheel bolts 484
Spare wheel (except ML 63 AMG) 452
Speed settings
Cruise control 246
Speedometer 27
Spinning see Tires, Direction of rotation
SRS 86
Indicator lamp 29, 410
Messages in the multifunction
display 410
Standing lamps 135
Replacing bulbs 463, 464, 468, 471
Standing water, Driving through 324
Starter switch 25, 40
Positions 40
Starting difficulties, Engine 57
Starting, Engine 54
Steep terrain, Driving 322
Steering column 47, 48Steering wheel 46
Adjustment, Electrically* 48
Adjustment, Manually 47
Buttons 30, 148
Cleaning 397
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 193
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 301
Storage compartments 34, 279
Cup holder 284
Cup holders 284
Door pockets 34
Front center console 281
Glove box 279
Parcel net, Front passenger
footwell 283
Parcel nets, Front seat backrest 283
Rear seats, In front of 282
Storage/telephone* compartment
Armrest, Front 281
Storing tires 350
Stranded vehicle 503
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 201
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroofSuspension tuning see Air suspension pro-
gram*
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 16
T
Tachometer 29, 146
Overspeed range 146
Tail lamps 471
Cleaning lenses 393
Messages in the multifunction
display 442
Replacing bulbs 464, 472
Tailgate
Closing from the inside,
Electrically* 122
Closing from the outside
(vehicles without
KEYLESS-GO*) 123
Opening 119
Opening from the inside,
Electrically* 121
Unlocking and opening the tailgate in
an emergency 456