
Coolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...............363
Capacities ...................................... 358
Checking level ............................... 216
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps .................................................... 96
Cruise control .................................... 141
Activating ....................................... 142
Canceling ....................................... 142
Changing the set speed .................143
Last stored speed ..........................143
Lever .............................................. 142
Messages in the mutlifunction
display ........................................... 278
Resume function ............................ 143
Setting current speed ....................142
Cup holders ........................................ 194
Curb weight ....................................... 240
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 23
Customer Relations Department ....... 24
D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Data recording ..................................... 24
Date, Setting ...................................... 132
Daytime running lamp mode .............. 94
Switching on or off ......................... 133
Deep water
see Standing water
Defroster
Rear window .................................. 183
Windshield ............................. 171, 181
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps ................................ 134
Interior lighting .............................. 135
Department of Transportation
see DOT
Diesel engine
Preglow indicator lamp ....................29
Diesel fuel
see Fuel
Difficulties
While driving .................................. 106
With starting .................................. 105
Digital clock
see Clock
Digital speedometer ......................... 123
Dimensions (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Direction of rotation (tires) .............. 231
Displays
Digital speedometer ......................123
Distronic ........................................ 146
Maintenance service indicator .......258
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 272
Multifunction display .....................121
Outside temperature .............123, 131
Symbol messages ..........................283
Text messages ............................... 273
Trip computer ................................ 138
Vehicle status message memory ...128
Vehicle system settings .................129
Distronic ............................................ 144
Cleaning system sensor cover .......263
Control system .............................. 128
Distance warning function .............151
Distance warning
lamp ...................................... 146, 302
Driving with .................................... 150
Menu ............................................. 147
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 278
Resume function ............................ 149
Sensor cover .................................. 263
Speed settings ............................... 148
Door control panel .............................. 33
Door handles ........................................ 33
Doors
Child safety locks ............................ 60
Locking/unlocking (KEYLESS-GO) ...71
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........70
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Opening from inside ......................... 74
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) .......203
Unlocking (Mechanical key) ...........306
DOT (Department of
Transportation) .................................. 240
Downhill Speed Regulation see DSR
Drinking and driving ......................... 244Index7164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 7

Driving
Abroad ........................................... 257
Hydroplaning ................................. 247
Instructions ........................... 103, 244
In winter ........................................ 243
Off-road ......................................... 248
Problems ....................................... 106
Safety systems ................................ 61
Systems ......................................... 141
Through standing water .................247
With Distronic ................................ 150
Driving and parking
Safety notes .................................. 103
Driving off .................................. 105, 247
Driving safety systems ....................... 61
ABS .................................................. 62
BAS .................................................. 63
EBP .................................................. 63
ESP ®
................................................ 63
ETS/4-ETS ....................................... 64
Driving systems
Air suspension program .................155
All-wheel drive (4MATIC) ................ 159
Cruise control ................................ 141
Distronic ........................................ 144
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) ..152
Hill-start assist system ..................152
Off-road driving program ...............155
Parktronic system ..........................160
Rear view camera .......................... 163
Driving tips, automatic
transmission ...................................... 113
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) .... 152
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
E
Easy-entry/exit feature .............. 87, 136
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) ...................................... 63
Electrical system
Improper work on or
modifications ................................... 23
Power outlets ................................. 197
Electrical system (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4-ETS
Emergency, in case of
First aid kit ..................................... 268
Flat tire .......................................... 319
Hazard warning flasher ....................96
Roadside Assistance ................ 21, 201
Towing the vehicle .........................338
Emergency calls
Tele Aid .......................................... 200
Emergency engine shutdown ........... 344
Emergency operations
Limp-home mode ........................... 117
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) .......203
Emergency Tensioning Device
see ETD
Emission control ............................... 258
Information label ............................ 347
System warranties ...........................20
Engine
Break-in recommendations ............210
Cleaning ......................................... 262
Compartment ................................ 212
Malfunction indicator
lamp ........................................ 29, 303
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Number .......................................... 347
Starting .......................................... 103
Turning off ..................................... 108
Engine (Technical data)
see Vehicle specification
Engine compartment
Radiator ......................................... 214
Engine coolant
see Coolant
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 215
Additives ........................................ 359
Checking level ............................... 214
Consumption ................................. 214
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 2918Index164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 8

Air filter .......................................... 292
Air suspension program .................285
Alternator .............................. 280, 290
Automatic
transmission .................................. 280
Battery ................................... 280, 290
Brake fluid ..................................... 284
Brake pads ..................................... 283
Coolant .......................................... 288
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps ............................................. 295
Cruise control ................................ 278
Distronic ........................................ 278
Doors ............................................. 286
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) ..286
EBP ................................................ 284
Engine oil ....................................... 291
ESP ®
...................................... 273, 284
Fog lamps .............................. 293, 294
Front passenger front air bag ........275
Gas cap .......................................... 292
High-beam lamps ........................... 294
Hood .............................................. 286
License plate lamps .......................294
Light sensor ................................... 294
Low-beam lamps ............................ 294
Parking brake ................................ 284
Parking lamps ................................ 294
PRE-SAFE ®
.................................... 274
Reserve fuel ................................... 291
Reverse lamp ................................. 293
Side marker lamps .........................293
SmartKey ............................... 286, 287
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO ..........286
SRS ................................................ 285
Tailgate .......................................... 286
Tail lamps ...................................... 295
Tele Aid .......................................... 285
Tire inflation pressure ............281, 296
Tire pressure monitor ....................281
Tires ...................................... 281, 296
Trailer brake lamps ........................295
Trailer tail lamps ............................ 295
Trailer turn signal lamps ................295
Turn signals ................................... 296
Washer fluid ................................... 288Multifunction steering wheel
Adjustment ...................................... 86
Buttons .......................................... 119
Cleaning ......................................... 265
Easy-entry/exit feature ...........87, 136
Gearshift control ............................ 115
Heating ............................................ 88
Memory function .............................. 92
Overview .......................................... 30
N
Navigation menu ............................... 127
Navigation system see Separate operating instructions
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints ............................................. 53
Resetting ....................................... 309
Nets, parcel ....................................... 188
Night security illumination .............. 134
Normal occupant weight .................. 241
Number, vehicle identification
(VIN) ................................................... 347
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS (Occupant Classification
System)
Occupant distribution ....................... 241
Occupant safety
Air bags ........................................... 37
BabySmart™ .................................... 46
Children and air bags .......................37
Children in the vehicle .....................55
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type ....59
Fastening the seat belts ................... 50
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp (Canada
only) ........................................ 46, 305
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp (USA only) ........42, 305
Infant and child restraint systems .... 56
Introduction ..................................... 36
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 42
PRE-SAFE ®
....................................... 52
Seat belts .................................. 39, 48
Index13164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 13

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

Center console
Upper part
FunctionPage:COMAND system, see
separate operating
instructions
;Climate control system165Rear window defroster183=Seat heating, front
passenger side86
?Seat ventilation, front
passenger side85
AParktronic system
deactivation switch162
ML 450 HYBRID: Fuel filler
flap switch7BVehicle level control switch156CFront passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp (USA
only)
42,
305
FunctionPageFront passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
(Canada only)
46,
305
DStorage compartment192EAlarm system indicator
lamp67
FElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®) switch64
GAdaptive Damping System
(ADS) switch156
HSeat ventilation, driver’s
side85
ISeat heating, driver’s side86JSwitch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)152
ML 450 HYBRID: Parktronic
system deactivation switch160
KHazard warning flasher
switch96
LSwitch for off-road driving
program155
ML 63 AMG: Program mode
selector switch for
automatic transmission115
ML 450 HYBRID: Program
mode selector switch for
automatic transmission7
7See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Center console31At a glance164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 31Z

Switching fold-in function for exterior
rear view mirrors on or off
Use this function to set the exterior rear view
mirrors to be folded in automatically when
you lock your vehicle.
With this function set to On and the exterior
rear view mirrors folded in using the button
on the door control panel (Y page 91), the
exterior rear view mirrors will not fold out
when you switch on the ignition. You will then
have to fold out the exterior rear view mirrors
using the button on the door control panel
(Y page 91).
Make sure both exterior rear view mirrors are
folded out completely before driving off.
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button &.XMove the selection marker with button
W or X to the Comfort submenu.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message Fold In Mirrors When
Locking appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button W or X to switch the
function On or Off.
Vehicle configuration menu
Use the Vehicle configuration menu to
activate/deactivate the Distance warning
function (Y page 137) or to set the DSR
speed (Y page 138).
Distance warning function
In vehicles equipped with Distronic, you can
determine whether the distance warning
function is to be enabled or disabled. With this
function set to On, the system will alert you
when recognizing a stationary obstacle or a
slower vehicle moving in your vehicle’s path
and the danger of a collision exists, even
when the Distronic is switched off.
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the vehicle configuration menu appears
in the multifunction display.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message Distance Warning appears
in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button W or X to switch the
distance warning function On or Off.
:Symbol for activated distance warning
function
If the distance warning function is switched
on you will see the symbol Ä in the
Standard display. When the distance warning
function is switched off the symbol Ä will
not appear.
Control system137Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 137Z

DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
programmed default speed
Use this function to program the default
speed the DSR is set to when it is activated.
You can program the default speed between
3 - 10 mph (Canada: 4- 18 km/h). The set
value is increased in 1 mph (Canada:
2 km/h) increments.
XPress button V or U repeatedly until
the Vehicle configuration menu appears
in the multifunction display.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message DSR Speed appears in the
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button W or X repeatedly until
the desired speed is shown in the
multifunction display.
When DSR is switched on, DSR will use the
programmed default speed to regulate the
vehicle’s speed.
Once DSR is switched on, you can adjust the
set speed using the cruise control lever
(Y page 154).
Trip computer menu
Use the Trip computer menu to call up
statistical data on your vehicle.
The following information is available:
RFuel consumption statistics since start
(Y page 138)
RFuel consumption statistics since last reset
(Y page 138)
RResetting fuel consumption statistics
(Y page 139)
RDistance to empty (Y page 139)
RCurrent fuel consumption (Y page 139)
When you enter the Trip computer menu,
you will always see the fuel consumption
statistics since start first.
Fuel consumption statistics since start
XPress button U or V repeatedly until
the message From Start appears in the
multifunction display.
:Distance driven since start;Time elapsed since start=Average speed since start?Average fuel consumption since start
All statistics stored since the last engine start
will be reset approximately 4 hours after the
SmartKey in the starter switch is turned to
position 0 or removed from the starter switch.
Resetting will not occur if you turn the
SmartKey back to position 1 or 2 within this
time period.
Fuel consumption statistics since last
reset
XPress button U or V repeatedly until
the message From Start appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the message From Reset appears in the
multifunction display.
138Control systemControls in detail
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Redialing
The control system stores the most recently
dialed phone numbers. This eliminates the
need to search through your entire phone
book.
XPress button U or V repeatedly until
the message TEL appears in the
multifunction display.XPress button 6.
The first number in the redial memory
appears in the multifunction display.XPress button & or * repeatedly until
the desired number or name appears in the
multifunction display.XPress button 6.
The control system dials the selected
phone number.
Driving systems
Introduction
This section describes the following driving
systems of your vehicle:
R Cruise control
R Distronic
R Distance warning function (only available
with Distronic)
R Hill-start assist system
R Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
R Off-road driving program
R Air suspension program (Adaptive
Damping System (ADS) and vehicle level
control)
R All-wheel drive (4MATIC)
R Parktronic system
R Rear view camera
The driving safety systems ABS, BAS, EBP,
ESP ®
and 4-ETS are described in the “Safety
and security” section ( Y page 61).
Cruise control
The cruise control maintains the speed you
set for your vehicle automatically.
The use of the cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
The currently set speed or last set speed
(“Resume” function) appears in the status
indicator of the multifunction display:
R USA only: e.g. Cruise 55 Miles
R Canada only: e.g. ¯ 90 Km/h
i The cruise control should not be activated
during off-road driving.GWarning!
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Driving systems141Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 141Z