2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 towing

XClose all doors and the tailgate.XAttach the trailer.XPlug in all electrical connectors.
iVehicles with vehicle level control:
When you are towing a trailer, the vehicle
level always remains in the highway setting.
The following applies additionally when
towing a trailer:
R The vehicle is lowered to the highway
level when it reaches a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) if not set to highway level.
R The highspeed level is not available.
The restrictions that apply to towing also
apply when using accessories that are
connected to the trailer power socket, such
as a bicycle rack.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for
where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be the police or local
authorities.
Note the following, when driving with a trailer:
R In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free of traffic.
R Before you start driving check the
- trailer hitch
- break-away switch
- safety chains
- electrical connections
- lighting
- tires
R Adjust the mirrors ( Y page 89) to permit
unobstructed view beyond rear of trailer.
R If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving slowly, and then
apply only the trailer brake controller by
hand to make sure the brakes are working
properly.
R Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
R When towing a trailer, check occasionally
to make sure the load is secure, and that
trailer lighting and brakes (if so equipped)
are functioning properly.
R Take into consideration that when towing a
trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
R The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore limited in
acceleration and climbing ability, and has a
larger braking distance.
It is more prone to reacting to cross wind
gusts, and requires more sensitive steering
input.
R If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first to
permit the trailer to activate its brake. Then
increase the braking force.
! If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
Do not attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.
R If the transmission shifts between gears on
inclines repeatedly, shift to a lower gear
range manually ( Y page 113). Select 4, 3 ,
2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduction of speed
reduces the chance of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
R On very steep inclines, not manageable
with automatic transmission in gear range
1 , switch on off-road driving program
( Y page 155).
R When going down an incline, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine’s braking
effect.256Driving instructionsOperation
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Vehicle equipment ............................268
Where will I find ...? ..........................268
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .......................272
What to do if … ..................................297
Unlocking/locking manually ...........306
Resetting activated NECK-PRO
active front head restraints .............309
Replacing SmartKey batteries .........309
Replacing bulbs .................................311
Replacing wiper blades ....................318
Flat tire ..............................................319
Bleeding the fuel system (diesel
engine only) .......................................331
AdBlue® (diesel engine only) ...........331
Battery ...............................................334
Jump starting ....................................336
Towing the vehicle ............................338
Fuses ..................................................342
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Vehicle equipment
iThis Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and
replace missing/expired items.
The first aid kit is located on the driver’s side
in the cargo compartment behind the cover.
XTurn lock : by 90° in direction of the
arrow.
XFold down cover ;.
The first aid kit can be removed.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
RAlignment bolt 23
RCollapsible wheel chock 23
RElectric air pump24
RFuse chart
RJack23
RReversible ratchet for jack23
RTIREFIT kit25
RTowing eye bolt
RWheel wrench23
RSpare wheel bolts26
XRemoving: Open the tailgate (Y page 75).XPush in floor handle ; as indicated by
arrow.
XLift cargo compartment floor : using floor
handle ;.23Vehicles with spare wheel only.24ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (Canada vehicles) factory equipped with 20" wheels and vehicles with spare wheelwith collapsible tire only.25ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (Canada vehicles) factory equipped with 20" wheels only.26Vehicles with Minispare wheel only.
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XRelease securing hook = (located below
the floor handle) from holder.
XEngage securing hook = on upper cargo
compartment lip ?.
! With the cargo compartment cover blind
installed behind the rear seats, disengage
cargo compartment cover blind and flip it
forward. Otherwise the strap of the
securing hook could damage the cargo
compartment cover blind.
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
securing hook from upper cargo
compartment lip and lower the cargo
compartment floor before closing the
tailgate.
Vehicles without spare wheel
iVehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle. The illustration shows the
vehicle retrofitted with the necessary tools
for a wheel change.
:Towing eye bolt;Alignment bolt=Jack?Fuse chartAElectric air pump27BTIREFIT kit27CWheel wrenchDCollapsible wheel chockEReversible ratchet for jack27ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (Canada vehicles) factory equipped with 20" wheels only.Where will I find ...?269Practical hints164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 269Z

Vehicles with spare wheel
Example illustration
:Electric air pump28;Storage well casing=Alignment bolt?Towing eye boltAWheel wrenchXTo access remaining tools: Remove
storage well casing ; (if so equipped).
XRemove the spare wheel (Y page 271).
Example illustration
BJackCCollapsible wheel chockDFuse chartESpare wheel bolts29FReversible ratchet for jackCollapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to secure
the vehicle, e.g. while changing a wheel.
XTake the collapsible wheel chock from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 268).
XSetting up: Tilt both plates upward :.XFold the lower plate outward ;.XGuide the tabs of the lower plate all the way
into the openings of base plate =.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lifting
the vehicle” (Y page 324).
Jack
GWarning!
Only use the jack supplied with your vehicle
to lift the vehicle briefly for wheel changes. If
you use the jack for any other purpose, you or
others could be injured, as the jack is
designed only for the purpose of changing a
wheel.
When using the jack, observe the safety notes
in the “Mounting the spare wheel” section and
the notes on the jack.
XTake the jack from the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 268).28Vehicles with spare wheel with collapsible tire only.29Vehicles with Minispare wheel only.
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Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsGTele Aid
Inoperativ
eOne or more main functions of the Tele Aid system are
malfunctioning.XHave the Tele Aid system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.+Restraint
Sys.
Malfunctio
n
Service
RequiredThe system is malfunctioning.XDrive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center and have the system checked
immediately.GWarning!
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may not
be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it
might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in injury.
Driving systems
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÁLevel
Selection
Not
PermittedThe selected vehicle level cannot be adjusted, because
R you are driving too fast for the desired vehicle level
R you are towing a trailer
R you are using accessories that are connected to the trailer
power socket, e.g. a bicycle rackXReduce vehicle speed and set the desired vehicle level
again ( Y page 156).XObserve the notes on trailer towing ( Y page 254).ÁMalfunctio
nThe air suspension is malfunctioning.XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
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Position C represents the charged battery of
another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack.
XFlip up cover : of positive terminal = in
direction of arrow.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
XConnect positive terminal ; of charged
battery C with positive terminal = with a
jumper cable. Clamp the cable to positive
terminal ; of charged battery C first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with charged
battery C and run at idle speed.
XSlide cover A from negative terminal B in
direction of arrow.
XConnect negative terminal ? of charged
battery C with negative terminal B with
a jumper cable. Clamp the cable to
negative terminal ? of charged battery
C first.
XStart engine of the vehicle with the
discharged battery and run at idle speed.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.
XRemove the jumper cables from negative
terminals ? and B first.
XRemove the jumper cables from positive
terminals ; and =.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
XClose cover : of positive terminal =.XSlide cover A back onto negative terminal
B.
XHave the battery checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
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portfolio. You may otherwise not recognize
potential danger.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
only so far as necessary to have the vehicle
moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing 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.
GWarning!
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
Rthe automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 334) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 336).
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 each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the cargo
compartment underneath the cargo
compartment floor (Y page 268).
XTake the towing eye bolt out of the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor.
Removing cover in front bumper
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