2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 Owner's Manual

Limiting opening height of tailgate
You can limit the opening height of the
tailgate in the upper opening range. This can
be useful, for example, when the space above
the tailgate is not sufficient.
Activating
XOpen the tailgate: Pull on handle
(Y page 75) or press and hold button
F on the SmartKey until the tailgate
opens.
XStop opening procedure: When the
tailgate is in the desired position, press
tailgate closing switch (Y page 77) or pull
on handle once more.
XYou can also press or pull the remote
tailgate opening/closing switch
(Y page 78) to stop the opening procedure.
XPress and hold the tailgate closing switch
in the tailgate (Y page 77) until you hear a
short acoustic signal.
The opening height of the tailgate is limited.
The tailgate will now stop at the stored
position when opened.
Deactivating
XPress and hold the tailgate closing switch
in the tailgate (Y page 77) until you hear
two short, consecutive acoustic signals.
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
GObserve Safety notes, see page 55.
Starter switch
gFor removing SmartKey1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. radio
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps
(except low-beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high-beam headlamp indicator lamp, and turn
signal indicator lamps unless activated) in the
instrument cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked and
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster remains on after starting
the engine or comes on while driving, refer to
“Lamps in instrument cluster” (Y page 297).
XAlways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
XCheck the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary.
or
Starter switch positions79Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 79Z

XGet a jump start.
iIf the SmartKey does not belong to the
vehicle, the SmartKey can be turned in the
starter switch. However, the ignition does
not switch on and the engine does not start.
KEYLESS-GO
GObserve Safety notes, see page 55.
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a
removable KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The KEYLESS-GO start/stop button must be
inserted in the starter switch and the
SmartKey present in the vehicle.
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
without depressing the brake pedal
corresponds to the various starter switch
positions (Y page 79).
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
with the brake pedal firmly depressed will
start the engine (Y page 103).
The KEYLESS-GO start/stop button can be
pulled out of the starter switch easily. You can
then insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
iThe KEYLESS-GO start/stop button does
not need to be removed from the starter
switch when you leave the vehicle.
However, always take the SmartKey with
you when you leave the vehicle. As long as
the SmartKey is in the vehicle, the vehicle’s
electrical systems can be switched on or
the engine can be started using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
:KEYLESS-GO start/stop button;Starter switchXInsert the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
into the starter switch (if not inserted
already).
XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
XDo not depress the brake pedal.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
=USA only?Canada only
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the vehicle’s on-board electronics
have status 0 (as with SmartKey removed).
Position 1
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as radio functions.
80Starter switch positionsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 80

iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button
R once more, the ignition (position 2) is
switched on
R twice more the power supply is again
switched off
Ignition (or position 2) XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
All lamps (except low-beam headlamp
indicator lamp, high-beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument
cluster come on. If a lamp in the instrument
cluster fails to come on when the ignition
is switched on, have it checked and
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” ( Y page 297).
i
If you now press the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button once, the power supply is again
switched off.
Seats
Safety notes
GWarning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control the following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
R seat adjustment
R head restraint adjustment
R steering wheel adjustment
R rear view mirror adjustment
R fastening of seat belts
GWarning!
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 seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen 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 seat belts are properly
positioned on the body.
GWarning!
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R Adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
GWarning!
The power seats can be operated at any time.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
Seats81Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 81Z

vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
GWarning!
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front seating
position. Thus, we strongly recommend that
children be placed in the rear seats whenever
possible. Regardless of seating position,
children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see “Children in the vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
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. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
Seat adjustment
! When moving the seats, make sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise, you could damage the
seats and/or the items.
Power seats
! When the rear seats are folded forward,
e.g. for cargo volume expansion, the front
seats may not be moved to the rearmost
position. Otherwise you could damage the
front and rear seats.
! When adjusting the seat backrest tilt and
head restraint height, make sure the sun
visor is folded up. If the head restraint is in
the uppermost position, it could hit and
damage the sun visor.
iVehicles without memory function:
The seats can be adjusted within 5 minutes
after either front door has been opened.
The counter resets each time
Ryou open or close a front door
Ryou insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch
Ryou remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
Ryou switch the ignition on or off
Just like in vehicles with memory function,
the power seats can be operated at any
time when the ignition is switched on.
iThe memory function (Y page 92) lets
you store the settings for the seat position
together with the settings for the steering
wheel (electrical) and exterior rear view
mirrors.
82SeatsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 82

XSeat fore and aft adjustment: Press the
switch forward or backward in direction of
arrow A.
XSeat backrest tilt: Press the switch
forward or backward in direction of
arrow ?.
XSeat height: Press the switch up or down
in direction of arrow =.
XSeat cushion tilt: Press the switch up or
down in direction of arrow ; until your
upper legs are lightly supported.
XHead restraint height (vehicles with
memory function): Press the switch up or
down in direction of arrow :.
Head restraint height adjustment,
manual
This feature is only available in vehicles
without memory function.
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
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. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
! Do not attempt to remove front seat head
restraints. They can only be removed by
qualified technicians. We recommend that
you have this work carried out by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRaising: Adjust the height of head
restraint : by pulling it upward.
If head restraint : is fully retracted, press
release button ; in direction of arrow and
pull head restraint : upward.
XLowering: Press release button ; in
direction of arrow and press down on head
restraint :.
Head restraint fore and aft adjustment
GWarning!
Vehicles with Rear Seat Entertainment
System: When adjusting the head restraint,
make sure your fingers do not become caught
between the head restraint cushion and the
monitor. Failing to do so may lead to injury.
XWhile seated, reach behind you with both
hands and find lower edge of the head
restraint.
XPush or pull on the lower edge of the head
restraint cushion to the desired position.
Seats83Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 83Z

Lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the driver’s seat
lumbar support to help enhance support to
your spine.
XCurvature position: Use button : to
move the curvature up and button = to
move it down.
XDegree of curvature: Use button ; to
lessen the curvature and button ? to
increase it.
Rear seat head restraints
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 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. This will reduce the
potential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints installed when the rear seats are
occupied. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
GWarning!
Make sure the rear seat head restraints
engage when placing them upright manually.
Otherwise their protective function cannot be
ensured.
The back of the head will not be supported in
the event of a collision. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. Rear seat
occupants can be seriously injured or killed.
Rear seat head restraint height
adjustment
XRaising: Pull head restraint : upward to
the desired position.
XLowering: Press release button ; and
push down on head restraint :.
Rear seat head restraint fore and aft
adjustment
84SeatsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 84

XWhile seated, reach behind you with both
hands and find lower edge of the head
restraint.
XAdjust the head restraint to the desired
position by pushing or pulling on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
Rear seat head restraints, removing
and installing
XRemoving: Pull head restraint : to its
uppermost position.
XPress release button ; and pull out head
restraint.
XInstalling: Insert head restraint : into
openings on the seat backrest.
XPush head restraint : down until it audibly
engages.
XPress release button ; and adjust head
restraint : to the desired position.
Multicontour seats
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built into
the seat backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSeat cushion depth: Adjust the seat
cushion depth to the length of your upper
leg using switch :.
XSeat backrest contour: Adjust the
contour of the seat backrest to the desired
position using W or X.
XMove the seat backrest support cushion to
the bottom with button ? or to the center
with button =.
XSeat backrest side bolsters: Adjust the
side bolsters so that they provide good
lateral support using switch ;.
Seat ventilation
The blue indicator lamps ; in seat ventilation
switch : come on to show which ventilation
level you have selected.
iThe seat ventilation for the driver’s seat
can be activated using the summer opening
feature (Y page 102).
Seats85Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 85Z

XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press respective seat
ventilation switch :.
Three blue indicator lamps ; in seat
ventilation switch : come on.
XPress seat ventilation switch : repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
XSwitching off: Press seat ventilation
switch : repeatedly until all indicator
lamps ; go out.
If there is insufficient voltage the seat
ventilating switches off automatically.
Seat heating
Front seat heating switches
The switches for the outboard rear seat
heating are located in the rear center console.
Rear seat heating switches
The red indicator lamps ; in front or rear
seat heating switch : come on to show
which heating level you have selected.
The seat heating switches from level 3 (high)
to level 2 after approximately 5 minutes.
The seat heating switches from level 2 to level
1 (low) after approximately 10 minutes.
After approximately 20 minutes in level 1, the
seat heating switches off automatically.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press respective seat
heating switch :.
Three red indicator lamps ; in the
respective seat heating switch : come on.
XContinue pressing respective seat heating
switch : until desired seat heating level is
reached.
XSwitching off: Press respective seat
heating switch : repeatedly until all
indicator lamps ; go out.
If one or more of indicator lamps ; in
respective seat heating switch : are
flashing, there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers are
turned on. The seat heating switches off
automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.
Multifunction steering wheel
Safety notes
GWarning!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the steering wheel adjustment
feature locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
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.
86Multifunction steering wheelControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 86