2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Adjust

232 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Operating from the front
Deactivating
Press button> (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
In displaye (
page 220), you will see
the> symbol followed by
MODE for
approximately 3 seconds.
Press button´ (page 220).
In displaye (
page 220), you will see
the> symbol followed by
OFF.
The rear automatic climate control is
switched off.Reactivating
Press button> (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 220), you will see
the> symbol followed by
ON and
MODE. The MODE display is cleared and
the indicator lamp on button>
goes out after approximately
3 seconds.
The rear automatic climate control
switches on.Setting the temperature
Press button> (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
In displaye (
page 220), you will see
the> symbol followed by
MODE.
Set the desired temperature for the
rear passenger compartment using
temperature control3 (
page 231).
After approximately 3 seconds after
the last adjustment, the display switch-
es back to its standard display and the
indicator lamp on button> goes
out.
iYou can also press the>button once
more to switch back to the standard display.

233 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Adjusting air distribution
Use the air distribution controls5 or6
to adjust the air distribution for the rear
passenger compartment.
The symbols on the controls represent the
following functions:
Adjusting manually
Press the desired air distribution con-
trol.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out.Adjusting automatically
Press buttonU while the engine is
running.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air distribution is adjust-
ed automatically.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature control3 (
page 231)
to separately adjust the air temperature of
the rear passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C). The automatic cli-
mate control will adjust to the set temper-
ature as fast as possible.Increasing the temperature
Turn temperature control3
(
page 231) slightly clockwise.
The rear automatic climate control will
correspondingly adjust the interior air
temperature for the rear passenger
compartment.
Decreasing the temperature
Turn temperature control3
(
page 231) slightly counterclock-
wise.
The rear automatic climate control will
correspondingly adjust the interior air
temperature for the rear passenger
compartment.
SymbolFunction
ZDirects air to the center air
vents
YDirects air to the footwells and
the side air vents
iThe rear automatic climate control will not
cool the air when the air conditioning is switched
off (
page 229).

234 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
Adjusting air volume
Adjusting manually
Five blower speeds are available.
Press button
to decrease or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The indicator lamp on the buttonU
goes out. The selected blower speed is
shown by the indicator lamps for air
volume settings9 (
page 231).
Adjusting automatically
Press buttonU.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air volume is adjusted
automatically.

244 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control (page 244), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 249), which supports you
when you are driving downhill.

Off-road driving program (page 253),
which supports you when you are driv-
ing off-road.

Air suspension program*
The system consists of two compo-
nents.

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)*
(
page 255), which adjusts the
vehicle suspension characteristics.

Vehicle level control*
(
page 255), which controls the
vehicle level.

Parktronic* (page 259) and rear view
camera* (
page 264), which serve as
a parking aid.
For information on the ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP
®, and 4-ETS, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 98).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above
20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
iThe cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.

245 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to
the resistance point) or 5 mph
increments (past the resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Canceling cruise control
4Resume to last set speed
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses when the cruise con-
trol engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the speed in two ways.Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up to
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 245).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in incre-
ments of 1 mph (Canada: 1km/h).
Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
iThe cruise control switches off
automatically when

you step on the brake pedal

you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control switches off automatically and
an acoustic warning will sound when

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)

the ESP® is in operation

the ESP® is switched off with the ESP®
switch (
page 102)

the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction (
page 405)

you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
!Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels the cruise control.
However, the automatic transmission should not
be set toN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After a brief accel-
eration (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will
resume the last set speed.
Warning!G
If you increase the set vehicle speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
iThe set value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever up to the resistance
point.
iThe set value is increased in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time
you lift the cruise control lever past the
resistance point.

248 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Briefly lift the cruise control lever up
past the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 245).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed increases in incre-
ments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
Setting a lower speedYou can reduce the speed in two ways.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down to the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 245).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed decreases in incre-
ments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 245).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle speed decreases in incre-
ments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
Warning!G
If you decrease the set vehicle speed, keep
in mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Decelerate the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected deceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
iThe set value is decreased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down to the resis-
tance point.
iThe set value is decreased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down past the
resistance point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
decelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.

250 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching the Downhill Speed
Regulation on/off
The switch is located on the upper part of
the center console.
1DSR on/off
2Indicator lampiWhenever DSR is switched on, DSR will use
the programmed default speed to regulate the
vehicle’s speed. The default speed programmed
at the factory is 4 mph (Canada: 6 km / h). The
default speed can be reprogrammed using the
control system (
page 178). The next time DSR
is switched on, DSR will use the newly pro-
grammed default speed to regulate the vehicle’s
speed.
Once DSR is switched on, you can adjust the set
speed using the cruise control lever
(
page 245). Keep in mind that adjusting the
set speed using the cruise control lever with DSR
switched on will not change the programmed
default speed. If DSR is switched off and then
switched on again, DSR will use the programmed
default speed.
Depending on the road surface and level of
downhill grade, the DSR may not be able to
maintain the set speed. To maintain the set
speed, apply the brakes if necessary.
Warning!G
If the accelerator pedal is depressed while
the Downhill Speed Regulation is activated,
the vehicle can drive faster than the pro-
grammed set speed. You should therefore
drive downhill with particular caution as it
could otherwise lead to an accident and/or
serious injury to you or others. Keep in mind
that as soon as you remove the foot from
the accelerator pedal with the DSR switched
on, the DSR will start regulating the vehicle’s
speed including use of brakes if required.
Depending on the programmed set speed,
actual vehicle speed and gradient, the DSR
can cause the vehicle to slow down rapidly.
Sudden and unexpected deceleration can
result in loss of vehicle control, causing an
accident and/or serious personal injury to
you and others.