2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML450 HYBRID automatic transmission

A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) ............... 9
Warning lamp .............................
13, 29
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ....................39
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Automatic shift program ....................18
Automatic transmission Automatic shift program ..................18
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 25
Program mode
indicator .................................... 13, 19
Program mode selector switch
(automatic shift program) ................18
Axle oils ................................................ 38B
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................... 9
Battery Charging .......................................... 32
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ........................... 14
Jump starting ................................... 33
Messages in the multifunction
display

............................................. 26
Safety notes ..................................... 32
see High-voltage battery
Brake Assist System
see BAS
Brakes
Warning
lamp .......................................... 13, 29
Brake system
see RBS C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................... 38
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ...............................

14
COMAND
Charging condition high-voltage
battery ............................................. 14
Fuel consumption ............................ 15Generated electric power
................15
Overview .......................................... 13
Combustion engine
Malfunction ......................................

30
Starting ............................................ 16
Consumption statistics (COMAND) ...15
Control system Overview .......................................... 13
Coolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................. 39
Capacities ........................................ 38
Cruise control ...................................... 10 D
Displays
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ........................... 14
Messages in the multifunction
display

............................................. 24
Driving and parking
Safety notes ..................................... 16
Driving off ............................................ 17
Driving safety systems ABS .................................................... 9
BAS .................................................... 9
RBS .................................................... 9
Driving systems
Cruise control .................................. 10
Driving tips .......................................... 17 E
Engine .............................................

16, 30
Malfunction indicator
lamp ................................................. 13
see Combustion engine
Engine oil
Adding ............................................. 22
Checking level ................................. 21
Enviromental protection ....................... 7
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Warning lamp ............................. 13, 29 F
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid ........... 38
Brake fluid ....................................... 384
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Capacities ........................................
38
Engine coolant ................................. 38
Engine oil ......................................... 38
Power steering fluid ......................... 38
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ............................................. 39
Front axle oil ........................................ 38
Fuel ....................................................... 20
Capacity, fuel tank ........................... 38
Fuel filler flap and cap ...................... 21
Premium unleaded gasoline .............38
Fuel filler flap ....................................... 21
Opening manually ............................ 31
Unlocking ......................................... 20
Fuel filler flap switch ..........................20
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities ........................................ 38
Fuel tank
Capacity ........................................... 38
Fuel filler flap and cap ...................... 21 G
Gasoline see Fuel

H
High voltage see Safety notes


High-voltage battery ............................. 8
Charging condition (COMAND) ........ 14
Exhaustive discharge .......................32
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 26
HYBRID system
Automatic switch-off .................... 8, 31
Overview .......................................... 12
READY indicator ......................... 13, 16 I
Indicator and warning lamp SRS .................................................. 31
Indicator lamp
see Lamps, indicator and warning


Instrument cluster .............................. 13
Lamps .............................................. 29
Introduction ......................................... 11 J
Jump starting ....................................... 33 L
Lamp see Lamps, indicator and warning


Lamps, indicator and warning ............ 29
ABS/ESP ®
................................. 13, 29
Brakes
(red) ........................................... 13, 29
Instrument cluster .....................13, 29
RBS ............................................ 13, 29 M
Message see Lamps, indicator and warning


Motor Octane Number
see MON
Multifunction display
Symbol messages ............................ 26
Text messages ................................. 25
Vehicle status messages ................. 24
Multifunction display messages
Automatic transmission ................... 25
Battery ....................................... 26, 28
Display malfunction .........................24
Gas cap ............................................ 27
Power steering ................................. 27 O
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level


Operating safety .................................... 7 P
Parking ................................................. 18
Power gauge .................................. 13, 14
Power steering
Messages in the multifunction
display

............................................. 27
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program ..................18 Index
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Safety notes
Warning labels
G
Warning!
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended to
make you and others aware of various risks.
Do not remove any of these warning labels
unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removing
warning labels may cause you and others to
be unaware of certain risks which may result
in an accident and/or personal injury.
Danger of electric shock The components of the HYBRID system are
indicated by yellow warning labels to make
you aware of high voltage. High-voltage
cables are orange-colored.
G
Warning!
The HYBRID system is energized by high
voltage.
You could be seriously or even fatally injured
when you
R tamper with components or high-voltage
cables of the HYBRID system
R touch components or high-voltage cables
of the HYBRID system after the vehicle has
been involved in an accident
R touch damaged components of the HYBRID
system
Do not remove covers of components of the
HYBRID system that carry the yellow warning label. Do not tamper with any components or
with the orange high-voltage cables of the
HYBRID system.
Engine compartment
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 Observe the safety notes regarding the
hood in the Operator’s Manual. Automatic HYBRID system switch-off
The HYBRID system switches off
automatically if
R the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
activates the restraint systems in an
accident
R a short circuit in the HYBRID system is
detected
R a plug connection of the HYBRID system is
disconnected
These measures help to prevent you from
coming into contact with high voltage. High-voltage battery
G
Warning!
The high-voltage battery of the HYBRID
system is located under the cargo
compartment. When the pressure inside the
high-voltage battery exceeds a certain value, 8
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for example in case of a vehicle fire,
inflammable gas will escape via a duct. The
inflammable gas escapes to an area
underneath
the vehicles cargo compartment.
This prevents the high-voltage battery from
exploding.
Stay away from this area of the vehicle. Driving safety systems
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
Braking When the ABS engages during braking, the
ABS/ESP
®
warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster

(Y page 13) flashes. The
brake pedal will pulsate only in certain
situations, for example on a slippery road.
i For more information on the ABS, refer to
the Operator's Manual. RBS (Recuperative Brake System)
The RBS controls braking by blending the
vehicles friction brakes with the hybrid
transmissions recuperative energy function.
The RBS system must perform a self-test
when the ignition is switched on.
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Apply the brake pedal fully and release it.
The self-test of the RBS is completed.
During the self-test of the RBS, less brake
pedal
pressure than usual is required and the
brake pedal travel is longer. When you release
the brake pedal, the brake pedal travel is as
usual again.
For more information on the RBS, see
(Y page 11). G
Warning!
If the RBS malfunctions, the yellow RBS
warning lamp é and/or the red brake warning lamp
$ (USA only) or J
(Canada
only) in the instrument cluster comes
on. Read and observe the messages in the
multifunction display that may appear. Find
the subentry “Malfunction” of the entry “RBS
(Recuperative Brake System)” in the index of
this manual and follow the steps described in
that section. G
Warning!
If the RBS malfunctions, less brake pedal
pressure than usual may be required and the
brake pedal travel may be longer. The brake
system still functions with full effectiveness.
If required, you have to depress the brake
pedal further. Adapt your speed and driving
accordingly. G
Warning!
Have work on the RBS, e.g. brake pad
replacement, carried out by qualified
technicians only.
When working on the RBS, certain
precautions

must be taken, e.g. when putting
the brake system back into service.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Service conducted by qualified
technicians is required particularly for safety-
relevant work and work on safety-relevant
systems such as the RBS.
i For more information on the braking
system and for driving instructions, refer to
the Operator’s Manual. BAS (Brake Assist System)
If you apply the brakes very quickly, the RBS
provides full brake boost as fast as possible.
In doing so, less brake pedal pressure than
usual

is required and the brake pedal travel is
longer.
X Apply continuous full braking pressure until
the emergency braking situation is over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking. Safety and security
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Introduction
The HYBRID technology combines an
economical combustion engine with a
powerful hybrid transmission. The HYBRID
system selects the most efficient operating
mode
for each driving situation automatically.
You can drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
The HYBRID system turns the combustion
engine off as often as possible in order to save
fuel.
Depending on various conditions such as the
charging level of the high-voltage battery or
the operating temperature, the vehicle can
run on electrical energy alone. These
conditions as well as the degree to which the
driver accelerates determine the vehicle
speed and range that can be achieved for all-
electrical driving. 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. Driving off and accelerating consumes the
most energy. Thus, the hybrid transmission
supports the combustion engine with the
energy

stored in the high-voltage battery. The
energy is also used for electrical driving, for
operation of the electric compressor of the
cooling system and to support the 12-volt on-
board power supply. The hybrid drive thereby
contributes significantly to the fuel economy
of your vehicle.
For information on driving with HYBRID, see
(Y page 16).
The current operating mode of the HYBRID
system can be displayed in the instrument
cluster (Y page 13) and in the COMAND
display ( Y page 13).
The COMAND can also display a chart of the
fuel consumption and the electric power that
has been generated ( Y page 15). RBS (Recuperative Brake System)
With
the RBS activated (Y page 9), the hybrid
transmission functions as a generator when
coasting and braking. HYBRID converts the
energy of movement into electric power and
stores it in the high-voltage battery. The high-
voltage battery does not require additional
charging by other means. Controls in detail
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Instrument cluster
Function Page
:
$ Brake warning lamp,
USA only
29
;
d ABS/ESP
®
warning
lamp 9,
29 =
J Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
29
?
Multifunction display
with:
Charging level high-voltage
battery
14
A
é Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning lamp
29
B
+ Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
31
C
; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Canada only
21
D
! Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA only
21 Function Page
E
Power gauge 14
F
Multifunction display
with:
Automatic transmission
program mode indicator
18
READY indicator for the
HYBRID system
16
Control system and COMAND
i For information on the instrument cluster
control system and COMAND operation,
refer to the Operator’s Manual.
The current operating mode of the HYBRID
system can be displayed in the multifunction
display and in the COMAND.
The COMAND can also display a chart of the
fuel consumption and the electric power that
has been generated ( Y page 15). Controls in detail
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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.
The combustion engine turns off
automatically when the system determines
that it is not needed. The combustion engine
does not turn off automatically when
R the operation strategy requires that the
combustion engine is running
R the self-diagnosis of the combustion
engine management is still running
R the combustion engine is running below or
above the operating temperature
R the catalytic converter is running below the
operating temperature
R the vehicle is being driven up an extremely
steep incline
R the hybrid components are below or above
their operating temperature
R the accelerator pedal is being depressed to
hard
R the vehicle speed is above 34 mph
(55 km/h)
R the automatic transmission is
malfunctioning R
the hood is open
R the high-voltage battery is not charged
sufficiently Driving off
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.
Depress the brake pedal and shift the
automatic transmission into drive position D
or reverse gear R. If the message Depress
brake to shift out of P. appears in the
multifunction display:
X Depress the brake pedal with somewhat
greater force and select the desired
transmission position.
i Read and observe messages that may
appear in the multifunction display
(Y page 24).
For

more information on driving off, refer to
the Operator’s Manual. Driving
Driving tips R
Think ahead and keep sufficient distance.
R Avoid frequent and rapid acceleration as
well as abrupt braking. Controls in detail
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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
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