2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 key lock

43 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and belts are properly positioned
on the body.
Warning!G
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 51).
Observe the following points:

Adjust the backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel

Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The po-
sition should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.

Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.

Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is be-
ing adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

47 Getting started
Adjusting
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 41) once
with the driver’s door closedWith the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position1 (
page 41)Steering wheel adjustment, manual

Press one of the stored position
buttons* or memory buttonM*
(
page 133).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iThe last set steering wheel position is stored
when

the ignition is switched off (page 39)

the position is stored in memory
(
page 133)
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted,
when the engine is started.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. All steering wheel adjustment must be
completed before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving off with the steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose con-
trol of the vehicle.
Warning!G
Only adjust the steering wheel with the vehi-
cle at a standstill and make sure the steer-
ing wheel is securely locked in place before
driving off.


48 Getting started
Adjusting
Make sure that

you can reach the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent at the elbows

you can move your legs freely

all displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument
cluster are clearly visible
The steering wheel adjustment release
handle is located on the lower left of the
steering column.1Release handle
To unlock the steering column, pull
release handle1 out to its stop limit.
Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
Push release handle1 back to its
original position to relock the steering
column.
The steering column is locked into po-
sition again.
Make sure the steering column is
securely locked by trying to move the
steering wheel up and down as well as
in and out before driving off.Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
Driving without the steering wheel adjust-
ment locked may cause an unexpected
steering wheel movement which could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehi-
cle. Make sure the steering wheel is secure-
ly locked by trying to move it up and down,
and in and out before driving off.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the steering
wheel adjustment feature can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.


55 Getting started
Driving
Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 66).
Gasoline engine
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P (page 147).
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 39) and hold until
the engine starts.Diesel engine
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set toP.
The transmission position indicator in
the multifunction display should be
on
P (page 147).
Do not depress the accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 40).
Preglow indicator lampqin the
instrument cluster comes on.
As soon as preglow indicator
lampq goes out, turn the SmartKey
in the starter switch to position3
(
page 40) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
iYou can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.
iIf the engine is at operating temperature,
preglow indicator lampqmay not stay on
and you can start the engine without preglowing.
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle.

57 Getting started
Driving
Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better
detection of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Or:
Remove KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from starter switch (
page 41).
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Repeat the starting procedure
(
page 54). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.
Get a jump start (page 497).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center or call Roadside
Assistance.
Parking brake
1Release handle
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious personal injury.

60 Getting started
Driving
Turn signals
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK in the instrument
cluster flashes (
page 26).The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ment.
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
iTo signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press combination switch only
to point of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signal will flash three times.
!Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/or
damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on
a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the
windshield wipers in dry weather conditions,
always operate the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid (
page 62).
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off immediate-
ly.

For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and

remove SmartKey from starter switch
or

turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in
position0, same as with SmartKey
removed from starter switch)
before attempting to remove any blockage.

Remove blockage.

Turn the windshield wipers on again.

65 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering system. In this case, it is important
to keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle.
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.

Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

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

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

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
Warning!G
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to
lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. In addition, the vehi-
cle’s brake lights do not light up when the
parking brake is engaged.

66 Getting started
Parking and locking
Step firmly on parking brake pedal1.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(
page 59).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 135).
Turning off the engine
Shift the automatic transmission to
positionP (
page 185).
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or shift the automatic
transmission out of positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Getting out of your vehicle with the
automatic transmission not fully engaged in
positionP is dangerous. Also, when parked
on an incline, positionP alone may not
prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 185).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
iIf the engine cannot be turned off as
described, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 506).
Warning!G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the en-
gine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to brake and steer the vehicle.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting the automatic transmission to positionP
(
page 185).
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.