2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML450 HYBRID instrument cluster

R
The hybrid transmission supports the
combustion engine when driving off and
when accelerating.
R The hybrid transmission functions as a
generator when coasting the vehicle with
the automatic transmission in drive
position D and during braking.
i For additional general driving
instructions, refer to the Operator’s
Manual. Parking
G
Warning!
When your vehicle is in electric drive mode the
engine produces significantly lower noise
levels. Other motorists or pedestriants,
especially those who are visually or hearing
impaired, may be unable to hear your vehicle
while it is in motion. This is particularly true
when driving at lower speeds and during
parking maneuvers. At all times, it is the
responsibility of the driver to be aware of their
surroundings, especially in these low speed
situtations. Otherwise other road users could
be seriously or fatally injured. G
Warning!
When the READY indicator in the instrument
cluster is on while the combustion engine is
off, the combustion engine has been turned
off automatically. All vehicle systems
continue to be active as long as the ignition is
switched on. When you open the driver’s door
and unbuckle the seat belt with the READY
indicator on, while the automatic
transmission is in position N or P, the
combustion engine starts automatically.
Therefore, always do the following before
leaving the vehicle: R
Engage the parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Switch off the ignition. The READY indicator
goes out.
X Engage the parking brake.
The parking brake indicator lamp $
(USA only) or ! (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster comes on.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Switch off the ignition.
The READY indicator goes out.
i For more information on parking and on
turning off the combustion engine, refer to
the Operator’s Manual. Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
E Economy For fuel-efficient
operation
S Sport For sporty driving18
Controls in detail 164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 18

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
Operation 164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 20

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
Operation 164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 22

Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Supplemental Operating Instructions
Booklet.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu. Remember
that clearing a message will only make the
message disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message to appear. G
Warning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause

damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury. G
Warning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If

you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the warning and malfunction
messages specific to the HYBRID system. For
all other warning and malfunction messages,
refer to the Operator’s Manual. 24
Practical hints 164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 24

What to do if ...
Lamps in instrument cluster
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsé
The yellow RBS
(Recuperative Brake
System) warning lamp
is on while the
combustion engine is
running. In addition, an
acoustic warning may
sound.
The RBS is malfunctioning.
Risk of accident!
The combustion engine may not turn off automatically.
X
Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display
(Y page 24).
X Continue driving with added caution.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. $
(USA only)
J
(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp is on while the
combustion engine is
running. An additional
acoustic warning
sounds.
The RBS is malfunctioning.
Risk of accident!
Brake pedal travel may be longer than usual and the braking
behavior of the vehicle may change.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so. Do not continue to drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display

(Y page 24), see Operator’s Manual. The brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low.
Risk of accident!
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so. Do not continue to drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
X Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display

(Y page 24), see Operator’s Manual.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not solve the problem. d
The yellow ABS/ESP
®
warning lamp flashes
while driving. The ESP
®
,
the 4-ETS, or the ABS has come into operation because
of detected traction loss for at least one wheel.
Risk of accident!
The cruise control is deactivated.
X When driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.
X While driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.
X Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
X Do not switch off the ESP ®
.
Exceptions, see Operator’s Manual. Practical hints
29164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 29 Z

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsThe warning and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster fail
to come on when
switching on the
ignition. The 12-volt battery and/or the high-voltage battery are
discharged.
X
Charge the 12-volt battery (Y page 32).
or
X Get a jump start (Y page 33).
or
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Combustion engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsThe combustion engine
cannot be started. The
warning and indicator
lamps
in the instrument
cluster come on when
switching the ignition. The high-voltage battery is discharged.
The discharged high-voltage battery is being charged with the
ignition switched on while the vehicle is being jump started
(Y page 33).
X
Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display

(Y page 24). The combustion engine
cannot be started. The
multifunction display
does not display any
messages. The self-diagnosis has not been completed yet or the HYBRID
system is malfunctioning.
X
Switch off the ignition and switch it back on.
X Try to start the combustion engine once more.
X If the combustion engine cannot be started: Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. RBS (Recuperative Brake System)
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsLess brake pedal
pressure is required
and the brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.
X
Apply the brake pedal fully and release it.
The required brake pedal pressure and the brake pedal travel
are back to normal. The RBS is malfunctioning.
Risk of accident!
X
Read and observe the messages in the multifunction display
(Y

page 24) and the notes on warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster (Y page 29). 30
Practical hints 164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 30

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsThe brake pedal
pulsates. The RBS is providing electronic controlled brake boost. Read and
observe the notes on the ABS/ESP
®
warning lamp ( Y page 9). The HYBRID system switches of automatically
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsThe HYBRID system
has switched of
automatically. Your vehicle was involved in an accident.
The HYBRID system remains switched off, if
R
the combustion engine cannot be started again after a few
seconds
R the SRS warning lamp + in the instrument cluster comes on
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The HYBRID system
has switched of
automatically. An
additional message
appears in the
multifunction display. A short circuit in the HYBRID system has occurred or a plug
connection of the HYBRID system was disconnected.
X
Read and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 24).
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Opening the fuel filler flap manually
G
Warning!
Avoid contact with the vehicle walls as they
may contain sharp edges. Otherwise, you
could injure yourself while opening the fuel
filler flap. G
Warning!
Open the fuel filler flap manually only if the
fuel filler flap switch is not operational.
With the fuel filler flap opened manually, fuel
may spray out during the refueling process.
In case the fuel filler flap switch ( Y page 20)
does not release the fuel filler flap, you can
open it manually.
The fuel filler flap release is located behind a
cover on the passenger side in the cargo
compartment. X
Open the tailgate, see Operator's Manual.
X Insert a suitable object such as a coin into
the slot of locks :.
X Turn locks : by 90° in direction of the
arrows.
X Remove cover ;. Practical hints
31164_ZA; 2; 2, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-12T15:08:04+02:00 - Seite 31 Z