2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 ESP

304 Controls in detail
Useful features
Step 5:
After indicator lamp1 changes from a
slow to a rapidly flashing light, release
the hand-held remote control button
and the signal transmitter button.
Step 6:
Press and hold the just-trained signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) and
observe indicator lamp1.
If indicator lamp1 stays on
constantly, programming is complete
and your device should activate when
the respective signal transmitter
button (2, 3 or4) is pressed and re-
leased.Step 7:
To program the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.
Rolling code programming
To train a garage door opener (or other
rolling code devices) with the rolling code
feature, follow these instructions after
completing the “Programming” portion
(steps 1 through 6) of this text. (A second
person may make the following training
procedures quicker and easier.)
Step 8:
Locate “training” button on the garage
door opener motor head unit.
Exact location and color of the button
may vary by garage door opener brand.
Depending on manufacturer, the
“training” button may also be referred
to as “learn” or “smart” button. If there
is difficulty locating the transmitting
button, refer to the garage door opener
Operator’s Manual.Step 9:
Press the “training” button on the ga-
rage door opener motor head unit.
The “training light” is activated.
You have 30 seconds to initiate the follow-
ing two steps.
Step 10:
Return to the vehicle and firmly press,
hold for 2 seconds and release the pro-
grammed signal transmitter button
(2, 3 or4).
Step 11:
Press, hold for 2 seconds and release
same signal transmitter button a sec-
ond time to complete the training pro-
cess.
iIf indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly for about
2 seconds and then turns to a constant light,
continue with programming steps 8 through 12
as your garage door opener may be equipped
with the “rolling code” feature.
iSome garage door openers (or other rolling
code equipped devices) may require you to
press, hold for 2 seconds and release the same
signal transmitter button a third time to
complete the training process.


305 Controls in detail
Useful features
Step 12:
Confirm the garage door operation by
pressing the programmed signal trans-
mitter button (2, 3 or4).
Step 13:
To program the remaining two signal
transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.
Gate operator/Canadian programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission
which may not be long enough for the
integrated signal transmitter to pick up the
signal during programming. Similar to this
Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators
are designed to “time-out” in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or if you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
(regardless of where you live) by using the
programming procedures, replace step 4
with the following:Step 4:
Press and hold the signal transmitter
button (2, 3 or4). Do not release
this button until it has been successful-
ly trained.
While still holding down the signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4),
“cycle” your hand-held remote control
button6 as follows: Press and hold
button6 for 2 seconds, then release
it for 2 seconds, and again press and
hold it for 2 seconds. Repeat this se-
quence on the hand-held remote con-
trol until the frequency signal has been
learned. Upon successful training,
indicator lamp1 will flash slowly and
then rapidly after several seconds.
Proceed with programming step 5 and
step 6 to complete.Reprogramming a single signal trans-
mitter button
To program a device using a signal trans-
mitter button previously trained, follow
these steps:
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press and hold the desired signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4).
Do not release the button.
Indicator lamp1 will begin to flash af-
ter 20 seconds. Without releasing the
signal transmitter button, proceed with
programming starting with step 3.
iUpon completion of programming the inte-
grated remote control, make sure you retain the
hand-held remote control that came with the ga-
rage door opener, gate operator or other device.
You may need it for use in other vehicles, for fu-
ture programming of an integrated remote con-
trol, or simply for continued use as a hand-held
remote control to operate the respective device
in other situations.

312 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
BrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat re-
duced and increased pedal pressure may be
necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in
position0or1) when testing the parking brake
on a brake test dynamometer and such testing
should be no longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

314 Operation
Driving instructions
High-performance brake system
(ML 63 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the

vehicle speed

brake force applied

ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.Parking brake
When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake. To prevent corrosion
and a reduction in the braking power of the
parking brake, observe the following:
From time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.
Drive a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed
of 12 mph (20 km/h).
Warning!G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Warning!G
While performing this procedure, please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.

315 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.Parking
Tires!When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP
® switched off. Doing so may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or dam-
age to the vehicle drivetrain as a result of
vehicle movement, before turning off the en-
gine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Set the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*).

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.
Warning!G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.


320 Operation
Driving instructions
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:

Off-road – ABS (page 99)

Off-road – ESP® (page 103)

Off-road – 4-ETS (page 105)

Hill start assist system (page 191)

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
(
page 249)

Off-road driving program (page 253)

Air suspension* (page 254)
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.
You may lose control of the vehicle if you
use only the service brake. For information
on driving downhill, see “Driving downhill”
(
page 324).
Warning!G
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up
and cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that
full braking power may not be available in an
emergency.
Warning!G
Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises. There-
fore, always ensure that the vehicle level is
as low as possible. With higher ride height
the ESP
® may activate earlier in certain
situations.


321 Operation
Driving instructions
Off-road driving rules

Engage the off-road driving program
(
page 253) before driving under
off-road conditions.

Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Make sure you select a vehicle level
(
page 255) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.

Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 266).

Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(
page 250) to help maintain a preset
speed.
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:

Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof closed whenever driving
off-road.

Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty and steeper the ter-
rain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.

Be especially careful when driving in un-
known territory. It may be necessary to get
out of the vehicle and scout the path you in-
tend to take.

Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.

Before driving through water, determine its
depth.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.

In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as al-
lowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.

Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.

Always drive onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.

Do not shift automatic transmission to
positionN.
Warning!G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 359) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.

325 Operation
Driving instructions

Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.

Vehicles with air suspension program*:
Select the highest vehicle level
possible (
page 255).

Switch to off-road driving program
(
page 253) before driving through
water.

Shift automatic transmission to
position1 or2 (
page 192).

Avoid high engine speeds.

Enter and leave the water only at a
shallow spot, driving at walking speed.

Drive through the water slowly and at a
constant speed.

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.

There is a very high level of driving re-
sistance in water. The surface is slip-
pery and may not be firm, making
pulling away in water difficult and dan-
gerous.

Make sure that only small bow waves
are formed when driving the vehicle
through water.

Clean mud off the tire tread after driv-
ing through water.

To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the
brake pedal several times while driving
after leaving the water.Crossing obstacles
!The water depth must not exceed the
respective value listed in the table. The ground
under the water might not be firm which could
result the water being deeper than expected
when driving the vehicle through it. Please note
that the water level is correspondingly lower for
flowing water.
!Never accelerate before driving into the
water. The bow wave could force water into the
engine and auxiliary equipment, thus damaging
them.
!Do not open any of the vehicle’s doors while
driving through water. Water could otherwise en-
ter the vehicle interior and damage the vehicle’s
electronics, as well as the interior equipment.
!Obstacles can damage the vehicle
underbody or suspension components. If possi-
ble use the assistance of a second person out-
side the vehicle to scout the path you intend to
take and check for adequate ground clearance
when you cross obstacles with your vehicle. The
person assisting you outside the vehicle should
always be a safe distance away from the vehicle
and positioned so that he or she cannot get hurt
in case of any unexpected vehicle movement.
After off-road driving or crossing obstacles, in-
spect vehicle for any damage, especially vehicle
underbody and suspension components. Failure
to do so can adversely affect the vehicle’s future
performance, including increased chance of an
accident.