2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 key

501 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 41).
Insert the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.
Switch on the ignition.
Depress the brake pedal.
Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.
Release the brake pedal.
If engaged, release the parking brake
(
page 57).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the
starter switch.
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing
eye bolt can be screwed into threaded
holes which are located behind covers on
the right-hand side of each bumper.
1Cover!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, set the starter
switch to position2 and activate combination
switch for left or right turn signal in usual manner
– only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

504 Practical hints
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation
and fuse amperages. It is located in the
cargo compartment with the vehicle tool
kit (
page 448).
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

Fuse box in engine compartment
(
page 505)

Fuse box in cargo compartment
(
page 505)

Fuse box in passenger compartment
(
page 506)Before replacing fuses:
Apply parking brake (page 65).
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP (
page 185).
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on
P.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 40).
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 re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart. Any
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be glad to
advise you on this subject.

532 Index
Automatic climate control (3-zone)* 218
Air conditioning, Cooling 229
Air distribution, Front 224
Air distribution, Rear 233
Air recirculation mode 227
Air vents, Front 224
Air volume 225
Control panel, Front 220
Control panel, Rear 231
Deactivating system 222
Defogging 225
Defrosting 225
Maximum cooling, MAXCOOL 226
Rear passenger compartment 231
Rear window defroster 203
Residual engine heat (REST) 230
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones 229
Automatic headlamp mode 136
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 142
Automatic locking when driving 125
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195Automatic transmission 54
Accelerator position 190
Automatic shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 197
Gear ranges 192
Gear selector lever 54, 183
Gear shifting malfunctions 197
Hill start assist system 191
Kickdown 190
Kickdown, manual shift program
(ML 63 AMG only) 196
Manual shift progam
(ML 63 AMG only) 195
Program mode selector switch
(ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only) 194
Shifting procedure 186
Starting the engine 54
Steering wheel gearshift control 193
Towing a trailer 191
Transmission fluid level 345
Transmission positions 187
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest
Seat 44
Seat, Lumbar support 129
Seat, Multicontour* 129
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 438
Replacing bulbs 471
Bar 380
BAS 100
Lamps in instrument cluster 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 415
Basic carrier bars* 266
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 110, 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 427
Replacing 461
Battery, Vehicle 489
Charging 496
Disconnecting and connecting 491
Jump starting 497
Removing and installing 491

535 Index
Cup holders 284
Cleaning 285
Front center console 285
Front center console,
Removing/Installing 285
Rear armrest 284
Curb weight 380
Current transmission program mode
(AMG vehicles only) 147
D
Date display, Setting 169
Daytime running lamp mode 137
Setting 170
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield 210, 225
Defrosting, Front 210, 225
Defrosting, Rear 203
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 171
Interior lighting 172
Department of Transportation see DOT
Diesel engine
Preglow indicator lamp 29Difficulties
While driving 63
While starting 57
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 147, 155
Dimensions, Vehicle 520
Direction of rotation (tires) 351
Displays
Digital speedometer 147, 155
Maintenance service indicator 386
Messages in the multifunction
display 413
Multifunction display 147
Outside temperature 147, 155
Selecting 168
Symbol messages 427
Text messages 415
Vehicle status message 162, 413
Vehicle system settings,
Control system 151, 153, 163
Distance to empty (range), Trip
Computer 178Door
Entry lamps 144
Locking, In an emergency 456
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 39, 69
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 38, 68
Messages in the multifunction
display 435
Opening from inside/outside 112,
118
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 301
Unlocking, Mechanical key 455
Door control panel 36
Door handle 36
Door windows see Power windows
DOT 374, 380
Downhill driving
Cruise control 246
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) 249
Messages in the multifunction
display 428
Drinking and driving 311

537 Index
Engine
Belt layout (ML 320 CDI) 512
Belt layout (ML 350, ML 550) 512
Belt layout (ML 63 AMG) 512
Block heater (Canada only) 385
Break-in recommendations 343
Cleaning 391
Compartment 341
Emergency engine shut-down 506
Malfunction indicator lamp 29
Maximum engine speed 146, 513,
514
Number 511
Starting 54
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 55
Starting with the SmartKey 55
Tachometer 29, 146
Technical data 513
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 67
Turning off with the SmartKey 67Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 343, 525
Adding 344, 525
Additives 525
Changing 344, 525
Checking level 343
Checking with the oil dipstick 343
Consumption 343
Filler neck (ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 344
Filler neck (ML 550, ML 63 AMG) 344
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 525
ESP
®27, 100
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®100
Messages in the multifunction
display 418, 419
Off-road-ESP
®103
Warning lamp 27, 405
ETD 87, 410
Safety guidelines 76
Expanding cargo compartment 269Exterior rear view mirrors 49, 199
Folding 201
Power folding* 200
Synchronizing 200
F
Fastening the seat belts 51
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 350, ML 320 CDI) 344
Filler neck, Engine oil
(ML 550, ML 63 AMG) 344
First aid kit 448
Flat tire 478
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) 453, 518
Lifting the vehicle 479
Lowering the vehicle 487
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) 452
Mounting the spare wheel 479
Preparing the vehicle 479
Spare wheel 518
Floormats 289

539 Index
G
Garage door opener 302
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 380
Gear range
Automatic transmission 192
Limiting 192
Shifting into optimal 194
Gear selector lever 25, 54, 183
Cleaning 397
Gearshift pattern 183
Messages in the multifunction
display 420
Position 186
Shifting procedure 186
Transmission position 187
Global locking/unlocking see Key,
SmartKey
Glove box 279
Good visibility 199
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVWGTW 380
GVW 380
GVWR 380
H
Halogen headlamp see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 396
Hazard warning flasher 141
Head restraints 44, 127
Active head restraint 88, 127
Front seats, Adjusting 44
Rear seats 89
Rear seats, Adjusting 128
Rear seats, Removing and
installing 128
Headlamp aim
Adjusting 473
Headlamp cleaning system* 199, 346
Headlamp shut-off delay see Delayed
shut-off, Exterior lampsHeadlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 136
Bi-Xenon* 438, 467
Cleaning lenses 393
Cleaning system* 199, 346
Halogen 466
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Light sensor, Messages in the
multifunction display 438
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 136
Messages in the multifunction
display 438, 439, 440, 441, 442,
443
Replacing bulbs 463, 464
Switch 59, 135
Heated seats see Seat heating*
Heated steering wheel* 290
Height adjustment
Vehicle level control (Vehicles with
Air suspension program*) 257

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