
G
Garage door opener .................... 32, 204
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ... 240
Gear range ......................................... 113
Indicator ........................................ 114
Limiting .......................................... 115
Shifting into optimal ......................115
Gear selector lever ............................ 109
Cleaning ......................................... 265
Gearshift pattern ........................... 109
Shifting procedure .........................111
Transmission position indicator .....112
Transmission positions ..................112
Generator
see Alternator
Global locking/unlocking
see Key, SmartKey
Glove box ........................................... 193
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Trailer Weight
see GTW
Gross Vehicle Weight
see GVW
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
see GVWR
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) .............. 240
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) ............ 240
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) ................................................ 240
H
Halogen headlamps see Headlamps
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning .... 265
Hazard warning flasher ....................... 96
Headlamp cleaning system ................ 96
Headlamps
Active Bi-Xenon headlamps .............92
Adjusting aim ................................. 317
Automatic headlamp mode ..............93
Bi-Xenon .................................. 92, 312
Cleaning lenses ............................. 263
Cleaning system .............................. 96
Daytime running lamp mode ............94
Delayed shut-off ............................ 134
Halogen ......................................... 312
High-beam flasher ............................ 96
High-beam headlamps .....................96
Low-beam headlamps ......................93
Replacing bulbs ............................. 311
Switch .............................................. 93
Headliner, cleaning and care of ....... 265
Head restraints .................................... 81
Adjustment ................................ 81, 83
Folding back .................................... 84
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints ......................................... 53
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints, resetting .......................309
Rear seat head restraints ................. 84
Heated steering wheel ........................ 88
Height adjustment
Seat belt outlet ................................ 51
Seats ............................................... 81
Vehicle level control ......................156
High-beam flasher ............................... 96
High-beam headlamps ................ 96, 312
Indicator lamp .................................. 29
High-performance brake system ..... 246
Hill-start assist system ..................... 152
Hood ................................................... 212
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Hooks ................................................. 189
Horn ...................................................... 27
HVAC see Climate control system
Hydroplaning ..................................... 247
I
Identification labels .......................... 346
Identification number, vehicle
(VIN) ................................................... 347
Ignition ................................... 79, 80, 104
Immobilizer .......................................... 66
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and warning
Infant and child restraint systems
see Children in the vehicle
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OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ................................................ 42
Self-test ........................................... 45
Odometer ........................................... 121
Off-road driving ................................. 248
Checklist ............................... 249, 253
Crossing obstacles ........................252
Driving instructions ........................ 248
Driving on sand .............................. 252
Driving through water ....................251
Returning ....................................... 253
Ruts ............................................... 253
Steep terrain .................................. 250
Off-road driving program .................. 155
Off-road Mode menu ......................... 125
Oil, oil level see Engine oil
On-board computer
see Control system
One-touch gearshifting ..................... 115
Operating safety .................................. 23
Ornamental moldings, cleaning ....... 262
Outside temperature see Displays
Overhead control panel ...................... 32
P
Paintwork, cleaning .......................... 261
Paintwork code ................................. 347
Panic alarm .......................................... 61
Parcel nets ......................................... 188
Parking ............................................... 107
Parktronic system ..........................160
Parking brake ............................ 107, 247
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 284
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors ................90
Transmission position ....................112
Parktronic system
Cleaning system sensors ...............263
Malfunction .................................... 163
Minimum distance .........................161
Sensor range ................................. 161
Switching on/off ........................... 162
System sensors ............................. 160
Warning indicators ...................27, 161
Parts service ...................................... 346
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
(Canada only) see Front passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp (Canada only)
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
(USA only) see Front passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp (USA only)
Passenger safety
see Occupant safety
Pedals ................................................. 244
Phone see Telephone
Plastic parts, cleaning ...................... 264
Power assistance .............................. 244
Power outlets .................................... 197
Power seats see Seats
Power tailgate
Closing ............................................. 76
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Opening ........................................... 76
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Operation ....................................... 184
Synchronizing ................................ 186
Power washer .................................... 261
Power windows ................................. 100
Cleaning ......................................... 264
Operation ....................................... 100
Rear door window, override
switch .............................................. 60
Synchronizing ................................ 102
Practical hints ................................... 268
Preglow indicator lamp .............. 29, 104
PRE-SAFE ®
............................................ 52
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 274
Problems
While driving .................................. 106
With vehicle ..................................... 23
With wipers .................................... 100
Product information ............................ 20
Production options weight ............... 24114Index164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 14

FunctionPageDMultifunction display with:Trip odometer118Main odometer121ETachometer with: 7 Seat belt telltale 51,
300
% Preglow indicator
lamp, diesel engine only 104
oré Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning
lamp, ML 450 HYBRID only4
+ Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
36,
301
L Low-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 93
; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Canada only303
! Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA only 303
K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 96
FunctionPageFuel gauge with: Fuel tank
reserve warning lamp 303
8 Fuel filler flap
indicator: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear right-
hand side.
GMultifunction display with:Outside temperature
indicator or digital
speedometer (depending
on selected setting in the
control system)
123,
131
Transmission position
indicator112
Gear range indicator114Automatic transmission
program mode indicator114
Rear window wiper
indicator100
Downhill Speed Regulator
(DSR) indicator153
Off-road driving program
indicator1554See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Instrument cluster29At a glance164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 29Z

Unless you open a door or the tailgate within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
RThe vehicle will be locked again.
RThe antitheft alarm system will be rearmed.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button : on an
outside door handle.
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey. Grasping the
driver’s outside door handle will then only
unlock the driver’s door and the fuel filler flap.
XSwitching on/off: Press and hold buttons
% and & simultaneously for
approximately 6 seconds until the battery
check lamp (Y page 73) flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as follows:
XUnlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap: Grasp the driver’s outside door
handle.
XGlobal unlocking: Grasp any outside door
handle other than the driver’s outside door
handle.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button : on an
outside door handle.Checking SmartKey batteries
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XPress button & or % on the
SmartKey.
Battery check lamp : comes on briefly to
indicate that the SmartKey batteries are in
order.
If the battery check lamp does not come on
briefly during check, the SmartKey batteries
are discharged.
XReplace the batteries (Y page 309).
iYou can obtain the required batteries at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing button
& or % will lock or unlock the vehicle
accordingly.
Loss of the SmartKey
If you lose your SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
XHave the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XReport the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key to your car insurance
company immediately.
XHave the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to supply you with a replacement. For
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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
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of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as follows:
R Release button & to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold button
% . To continue the closing procedure
after making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure, press and hold button &.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
R Release the lock button on the outside door
handle to stop the closing procedure.
R Immediately pull on the same outside door
handle and hold firmly. The door windows
and the tilt/sliding sunroof will open for as
long as the door handle is held but the door
not opened.
With SmartKey
The SmartKey must be in close proximity to
the driver’s outside door handle.
XAim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the
driver’s outside door handle.XPress and hold button & on the
SmartKey until the door windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof are closed completely.XRelease button & on the SmartKey to
interrupt the closing procedure.
With KEYLESS-GO
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located outside the vehicle within
approximately 3 ft (1 m) of a door.
XClose all doors.XPress and hold the lock button on an
outside door handle ( Y page 73) until the
door windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof
are closed completely.XRelease the lock button on the outside door
handle to interrupt the closing procedure.Driving and parking
Safety notes
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
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.
GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not recognize
potential danger.
Starting the engine
GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
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Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iIn an emergency you can turn off the
engine while driving by pressing and
holding the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
for approximately 3 seconds.
If you have started the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and cannot
turn it off as described above:
XRemove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch.
XInsert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
The engine turns off. The starter switch is
in position 0 (Y page 79).
Automatic transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with an automatic
transmission, see “Driving and parking”
(Y page 103).
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not recognize
potential danger.
! Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature has
been reached.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the
engine and the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or
oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to heat up
more quickly to operating temperature.
Gear selector lever
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
:Button for selecting park position PjPark positionkReverse geariNeutral positionhDrive positionGWarning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
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transmission into park position P
automatically.
Remaining in neutral position N
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral position N, e.g. when taking
the vehicle through an automatic conveyor-
type car wash, observe the following
instructions.GWarning!
When leaving the SmartKey in the starter
switch, do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch
on the ignition which could result in
unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
With SmartKey:
XMake sure the ignition is switched on.XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
With KEYLESS-GO:
XMake sure the ignition is switched on.XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XRelease the brake pedal.XRemove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch.XInsert the SmartKey into the starter switch.XSwitch on the ignition.XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Shifting into reverse gear R
XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal.XMove the gear selector lever up past the
resistance point.
Shifting into drive position D
XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal.XMove the gear selector lever down past the
resistance point.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects individual
gears automatically, depending on
R the selected gear range ( Y page 113)
R the selected program mode:
C /S (ML 63 AMG only) ( Y page 114)
or
M (ML 63 AMG only) ( Y page 115)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
R limiting the gear range
R extending the gear range
R changing the gears manually (ML 63 AMG
only)
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