The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
:
Program mode indicator
i The automatic program mode E, for fuel-
efficient driving, is active each time you
start the vehicle with the SmartKey or with
KEYLESS-GO.
X Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the desired
program mode appears in the multifunction
display.
Selecting program mode E means:
R enabling electric driving with the hybrid
transmission whenever possible
R consumption-optimized driving
characteristics considering the individual
driving style
R maximum driving comfort by smooth gear
changes
R continuous power transmission
Selecting program mode S means:
R enabling more electric driving as it is
possible with selected program mode E
R sporty engine and transmission setting
R gear changes according to the driving style
and road conditions
R driving characteristics of a conventional
eight-speed transmission
i For more information on the automatic
transmission, refer to the Operator’s
Manual. Controls in detail
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Refueling
G
Warning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health. G
Warning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
! Never refuel vehicles with gasoline engine
with diesel fuel. Even small amounts of
diesel fuel will damage the fuel system and
engine. Damage resulting from the use of
non-approved fuels or fuel additives or
resulting from mixing gasoline with diesel
fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
switch on the ignition. Otherwise the
incorrect or non-approved fuel will get into
the fuel lines. The fuel system must be
drained completely. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the fuel
system drained completely.
! To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may
reach the catalytic converter, causing it to
overheat and potentially start a fire.
i Only use premium unleaded gasoline with
a minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91
(average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump. Please
contact gas station personnel in case
labels on the pump cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see
Operator's Manual, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or visit
www.mbusa.com (USA only).
X Bring the vehicle to a standstill.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Switch off the ignition.
The READY indicator (Y page 16) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch or remove the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle.
i Before refueling your vehicle its fuel tank
system needs to be depressurized. X
Press fuel filler flap switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on as the fuel filler
flap is unlocked. 20
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Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle must
be parked on level ground and the vehicle
must have been stationary for at least
5 minutes with the combustion engine turned
off. Checking engine oil level
Before opening the hood do the following:
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Switch off the ignition.
The READY indicator (Y page 16) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch or remove the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle.
X Observe the safety notes on the danger of
electric shock in this manual.
X Open the hood, see Operator's Manual. X
Remove cover : by pulling it in direction
of arrow. X
Pull out oil dipstick ;.
X Wipe oil dipstick ; clean.
X Fully insert oil dipstick ; into the dipstick
guide tube.
X Pull out oil dipstick ; again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower (min) mark ? and upper (max) mark
= of oil dipstick ;.
i The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 22).
X Install cover :.
For more information on engine oil, see
Operator's Manual. Adding engine oil 22
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Text messages
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsDriving
in
Reverse
currently
not
possible Wait
briefly Driving in reverse is currently not possible. The hybrid
transmission is overheated.
X
Wait briefly.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
X The message in the multifunction disappears. Driving
in
Reverse
now
possible
again The hybrid transmission has cooled down.
X
Driving in reverse is now possible again. Depress
brake to shift
out of P. You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive
position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal or without depressing it fully.
X Depress the brake pedal fully. Engine
Can Now
Be Started The high-voltage battery has been charged via the voltage
transformer automatically.
X
Start the combustion engine.
X Disconnect the charge unit or jumper cables.
X Drive the vehicle for some time in order to charge the 12-
volt battery and the high-voltage battery. Fuel
Filler
Flap Open The fuel filler flap is open.
X
Check the fuel filler flap.
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel filler flap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Practical hints
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsc Malfunctio
n Service
Required The high-voltage system is malfunctioning. In addition an
acoustic warning sounds.
X
Drive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The combustion engine cannot be started again, if
R the automatic transmission is set to position neutral
position N or park position P
R the hood is opened
R the bolted cover in the trunk is removed 8 Gas Cap
Open A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaking.
X
Check the fuel cap.
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. D Power
Steering
Malfunctio
n
See
Operator's
Manual Power assistance for the steering system is not available. A
considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to steer the
vehicle.
X Check whether you are capable to apply the higher degree
of effort necessary to safely steer the vehicle.
If you are able to steer the vehicle safely:
X Continue driving with added caution.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If, in any way, you feel that you are not able to steer the vehicle
safely:
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Do not continue to drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Practical hints
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Make sure the cable clamps do not touch
any other metal part while the other end is
still attached to a battery.
Connecting the jumper cables
Your vehicle is equipped with two jump start
terminals in the engine compartment.
Position
C represents the charged battery of
another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack.
X Make sure the two vehicles do not touch.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
X Open the hood, see Operators' Manual.
X Flip up cover : of positive terminal = in
direction of arrow.
X Connect positive terminal ; of charged
battery C with positive terminal = with a
jumper cable. Clamp the cable to positive
terminal ; of charged battery C first.
X Slide cover A from negative terminal B in
direction of arrow.
X Connect 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. Starting the combustion engine
X Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run it at an engine
speed slightly above idle speed.
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
X Starting the jump start process with
the SmartKey: To start the charging
process for the high-voltage battery, turn
the SmartKey in the starter switch first into
starting position 3.
X Turn the SmartKey back into ignition
position 2.
X Starting the jump start process with
KEYLESS-GO: Depress the brake pedal
during the starting procedure. 34
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Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
For information on tested and approved
products, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA
only). G
Warning!
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing, and disposing of service fluids. Otherwise you could endanger persons
or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service
fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately. Model
ML 450 HYBRID Capacity Fuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Approved engine
oils
Automatic
transmission
13.4 US qt (12.7 l) MB Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Front axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l) Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l) Hypoid gear oil
Transfer case
0.53 US qt (0.5 l) MB Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l) MB Power Steering
Fluid or approved
Dexron III ATF
Brake system
0.63 US qt (0.6 l) MB Brake Fluid
(DOT 4+)
Cooling system
approx. 10.0 US qt (9.5 l) MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/
Antifreeze
Low temperature
cooling system
approx. 2.0 US qt (1.9 l)
Fuel tank
23.8 US gal (90.0 l) Premium unleaded
gasoline (Minimum
Posted Octane 91
[Avg. of
96 RON/86 MON])
Fuel tank reserve
approx. 3.4 US gal (13.0 l)38
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