the vehicle lowers. When the temperature
rises, the vehicle raises.
The vehicle automatically regulates its ride
height based on the set vehicle height and the
current speed:
RAs your driving speed increases, the vehicle
is lowered by increments until it reaches
highspeed level.
RVehicles with ADS: If you are driving with
the ADS setting COMF or AUTO, the
vehicle is raised back to highway level as
your driving speed decreases.
RVehicles with ADS: You can select the
highspeed level via the ADS setting
SPORT. In ADS SPORT, the vehicle is
lowered directly to highspeed level as your
driving speed increases.
The vehicle begins adjusting to the set vehicle
level as soon as the doors or tailgate are
unlocked or opened or closed with the vehicle
unlocked.
In order to operate the vehicle level control
switch (Y page 157), however, the engine
must be running.
GWarning!
Make sure no one is near the wheel housing
or under the vehicle when you lower the
vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs could
become wedged into or under the vehicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate closed.
Lowering is interrupted if a door or the tailgate
is opened and will continue after the door is
closed again.
GWarning!
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises.
Therefore, always ensure that the vehicle
level is as low as possible. With higher ride
height the ESP® may activate earlier in certain
situations.
Adapt your speed and driving to possible
changed driving behavior of the vehicle after
changing the vehicle level. The ESP® cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed. The ESP® cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle.
! Keep in mind that in rough or uneven
terrain, adjusting the vehicle to a lower
level may cause the vehicle underbody to
come in contact with the ground and result
in damage to the vehicle underbody.
Always make sure the vehicle has sufficient
ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.
! Before jacking up the vehicle with
equipment that lifts one or more of the
wheels completely off of the ground,
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
For information on off-road driving, see “Off-
road driving” (Y page 248).
Basic settings (except ML 63 AMG)
The following vehicle chassis ride heights can
be selected using vehicle level control
switch : in the center console:
Driving systems157Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 157Z
LevelDriving situationRaised levelFor off-road driving or
driving in rough terrain.
Indicator lamp ; is on.Highway
levelFor driving on paved roads
in fair or better condition.
Indicator lamp ; is off.
i
The third available level is the highspeed
level that is set automatically.
The following is the approximate change in
ride height for each of the level settings:
LevelRide heightRaised level+2.3 in (60 mm)Highway
level 16+/-0 in (0 mm)Highspeed
level-0.6 in (-15 mm)
i Vehicles with ADS:
Depending on the ADS setting
( Y page 156), the vehicle will be lowered to
the highspeed level when traveling at
higher speeds. At speeds below 40 mph
(64 km/h) at the latest, it will be returned
to the highway level.
i The highspeed level is not available when
towing a trailer. For more information on
towing a trailer, see “Trailer towing”
( Y page 254).
Basic settings (ML 63 AMG)
The following vehicle chassis ride heights can
be selected using vehicle level control
switch : in the center console:
LevelDriving situationRaised levelFor off-road driving or
driving in rough terrain.
Indicator lamp ; is on.Highway
levelFor driving on paved roads
in fair or better condition.
Indicator lamp ; is off.
i
The third available level is the highspeed
level that is set automatically.
How much the vehicle is lowered or raised
depends on the ADS setting selected. At the
raised level, the vehicle is 2.9 in (73 mm)
higher than at the highway level with ADS
AUTO .
Raised level
Only select the raised level if appropriate for
the driving situation encountered. Otherwise
the fuel consumption may increase and/or
the handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable.
i You can select the raised level at speeds
up to 40 mph (64 km/h). At higher speeds,
the message Á Level Selection
Not Permitted appears in the
multifunction display.
XStart the engine.
When indicator lamp ; is off:
XPress vehicle level control switch :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:16 Ground clearance: 7.9 in (201 mm)158Driving systemsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 158
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
the V, U, & or * button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
When the raised level is reached, indicator
lamp ; comes on continuously and the
following message appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds:
Highway level
! Keep in mind that on rough or uneven
roads, adjusting the vehicle to a lower level
may cause the vehicle underbody to come
in contact with the road and result in
damage to the vehicle underbody. Always
make sure the vehicle has sufficient ground
clearance before adjusting it to a lower
level.
XStart the engine.
When indicator lamp ; is on:
XPress vehicle level control switch :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
iThe message can be cleared by pressing
the V, U, & or * button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
When the highway level is reached, indicator
lamp ; goes out and the following message
appears in the multifunction display for
approximately 5 seconds:
The vehicle is lowered to the highway level
automatically if the vehicle speed is above
55 mph (88 km/h) or if the vehicle speed
stays between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 55 mph
(88 km/h) for approximately 20 seconds.
All-wheel drive (4MATIC)
In vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MATIC),
both axles are powered at all times when the
vehicle is being operated. The 4MATIC
improves traction in conjunction with the
ESP® (Y page 63) and the Electronic Traction
System (ETS/4-ETS) (Y page 64).
Driving systems159Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 159Z
FunctionRecommendation/Notes=Front defrosteriKeep this setting selected
only until the windshield or the
side windows are clear again.( Y page 171)?Increasing air volume(Y page 171)AAir distribution (directs air
through the windshield and side
air vents)( Y page 171)BAC cooling on/offi
Switches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.( Y page 169)Residual heat/ventilationi
With the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.( Y page 172)CTemperature control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡
(22†).( Y page 170)D± Rear climate control on/
off or air supply for rear
passenger compartment on/off
(USA only)^ Rear climate control on/
off or air supply for rear
passenger compartment on/off
(Canada only)EAir distribution (directs air
through center and side air
vents)( Y page 171)FAir distribution (directs air
through the footwells and side
air vents)( Y page 171)GAir volume displayHDecreasing air volume(Y page 171)IRear window defroster(Y page 183)JAir recirculationi
Only use this function for a
short time, e.g. in a tunnel.
Otherwise, the windows can
fog up due to lack of fresh air.( Y page 172)168Climate controlControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 168
FunctionRecommendation/NotesKInterior temperature sensorLClimate control on/offiSwitches on the climate
control system. The indicator
lamp in button ^ goes out.(Y page 169)Notes on climate control
The climate control is operational whenever
the engine is running. You can operate the
climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the
selected interior temperature and the current
outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors
are filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air
distribution system.GWarning!
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a clogged filter replaced as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
( Y page 169).
GWarning!
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
i If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the
interior before driving off, see “Summer
opening feature” (Y page 102). The climate
control will then adjust the interior
temperature to the set value much faster.
Deactivating the climate control
system
GWarning!
When the climate control system is switched
off, the outside air supply and circulation are
also switched off. Only choose this setting for
a short time. Otherwise the windows could fog
up, impairing visibility and endangering you
and others.
XDeactivating: Press button ^.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XReactivating: Press button Ã.
i
You can also press button ^ on the
climate control panel.
If you press button ¦ to reactivate the
climate control system, the defrosting
mode is activated.
Deactivating the rear climate control
from the front
XDeactivating: Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XReactivating: Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while the
engine is running and cools the interior air to
Climate control169Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 169Z
The indicator lamp in button ¦ goes out.
The indicator lamp in button Á comes
on.
or
XTurn temperature control : and/or C
( Y page 167) slightly in any direction.
Heating switches to the temperature that
was set before the front defroster was
switched on.
The indicator lamp in button ¦ goes out.
The indicator lamp in button Á comes
on.
i The air conditioning compressor remains
on even if the indicator lamp in button
¦ goes out. This helps to prevent the
windshield from fogging.
Deactivating
XPress button ¦ again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect. The air conditioning compressor
remains switched on.
i To deactivate, you can also press button
^ or à .
Windshield fogged on the outside
XSwitch the windshield wipers on
( Y page 98).XPress air distribution button P or O .
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e. g. before driving through
a tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
GWarning!
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press button
¦ .
XActivating: Press button d.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
i The air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures.
The indicator lamp in button d is not lit
when the air recirculation mode is switched
on automatically.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
If you have turned off the air conditioning
or the outside temperature is below 41‡
(5†), the air recirculation mode will not
switch on automatically.
XDeactivating: Press button d.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
i The manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically:
R after 5 minutes if the outside
temperature is below approximately
41‡ (5†)
R after 5 minutes if the air conditioning and
air-drying are turned off
R after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above approximately
41‡ (5†)
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible to
continue to heat or ventilate the interior for
up to 30 minutes. This feature makes use of
the residual heat produced by the engine.
172Climate controlControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 172
FunctionRecommendation/Notes:Temperature control, driver’s
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡
(22†).( Y page 179);Air distribution and air volume
(automatic mode)i Switches on the automatic
mode. The indicator lamp in
button à comes on.(Y page 179)=Front defrosteri
Keep this setting selected
only until the windshield or the
side windows are clear again.( Y page 181)?Increasing air volume(Y page 181)AAir distribution (directs air
through the windshield and side
air vents)( Y page 180)BAC cooling on/offi
Switches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.( Y page 178)Residual heat/ventilationi
With the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.( Y page 183)CTemperature control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡
(22†).( Y page 179)DOperating the rear climate
control from the front( Y page 178)EAir distribution (directs air
through center and side air
vents)( Y page 180)FAir distribution (directs air
through the footwells and side
air vents)( Y page 180)GAir volume displayHDecreasing air volume(Y page 181)IRear window defroster(Y page 183)JAir recirculationi
Only use this function for a
short time, e.g. in a tunnel.
Otherwise, the windows can
fog up due to lack of fresh air.( Y page 182)1743-zone automatic climate controlControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 174
FunctionRecommendation/NotesCAir distribution, passenger side
(directs air through the
windshield and side air vents)( Y page 180)DOperating the rear climate
control from the front( Y page 178)ETemperature control, passenger
sidei Set the temperature to 72‡
(22†).( Y page 179)FAutomatic climate control on/
offi Switches on the climate
control system. The indicator
lamp in button ^ goes out.(Y page 178)GAir distribution, passenger side
(directs air through the footwells
and side air vents)( Y page 180)HAir distribution, passenger side
(directs air through center and
side air vents)( Y page 180)IAC cooling on/offi
Switches on the air
conditioning. The indicator
lamp in button Á comes
on.( Y page 178)Residual heat ventilationi
With the engine turned off, it
is possible to continue to heat
or ventilate the interior.( Y page 183)JDisplayKDecreasing air volume(Y page 181)LAir recirculationi
Only use this function for a
short time, e.g. in a tunnel.
Otherwise, the windows can
fog up due to lack of fresh air.( Y page 182)MAir distribution, driver’s side
(directs air through center and
side air vents)( Y page 180)NAir distribution, driver’s side
(directs air through the footwells
and side air vents)( Y page 180)1763-zone automatic climate controlControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 176