2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 brake light

ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1 or the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button pressed once:
R tail lamps
R parking lamps
R license plate lamps
R side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
Canada only: High-beam headlamps are only
available with the exterior lamp switch in
position L.
Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default.
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switchingdaytime running lamp mode on or off (USA
only)” ( Y page 133).XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ or à .
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on.
In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or à , you cannot switch on the high-
beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
XFor nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to park
position P with the vehicle at a standstill or
the parking brake is engaged, the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T , the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( Y page 93).
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XGive very little gas.XHave the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡ (120†)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.XTurn off the engine immediately.XAllow the engine and coolant to cool off.XCheck the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 216).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
XDo not start the engine under any
circumstances.XExit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.XNotify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
XStart the engine in the usual manner.
Parking
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement may result in serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the
following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-
GO start/stop button.
R Take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.
Parking brake GWarning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged.
GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P , either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
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GWarning!
If the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or missing
distance warnings.
XActivating/deactivating: Activate or
deactivate the distance warning function in
the control system ( Y page 137).
When activated, the distance warning
function indicator Ä appears in the
multifunction display.
Hill-start assist system
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in addition
to shifting the automatic transmission into
park position P.
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the automatic transmission in neutral
position N
R with the parking brake engaged
R if the ESP ®
has switched off due to a
malfunction
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
For information on off-road driving, see “Off-
road driving” ( Y page 248).
The DSR is an aid for driving downhill. The
DSR regulates your vehicle’s speed when
driving downhill to the value set in the control
system ( Y page 138). The steeper the
downhill gradient is, the greater the brake
application. On flat road surfaces, the DSR
brakes only slightly or not at all.
GWarning!
The Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The system
must be set to be appropriate for the
topographical and weather conditions
encountered which can change quickly. The
driver is and must remain at all times
responsible for the vehicle speed and for safe
brake operation.
Depending on the programmed speed, actual
vehicle speed and gradient, switching on the
DSR while driving can cause the vehicle to
slow down rapidly and you may hear a sound
which is caused by the activation of the
vehicle’s brake system through the DSR.
Sudden and unexpected deceleration can
result in loss of vehicle control, causing an
accident and/or serious personal injury to
you and others. Do not switch on the DSR in
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Trailer towing
The rear Parktronic sensors will be
deactivated when you have established the
electrical connection between your vehicle
and the trailer you are about to tow.
! The distance between the sensors in the
bumpers and an obstacle is referred to as
the minimum range of the Parktronic. A
trailer hitch will reduce the distance to an
obstacle. Keep this in mind to avoid any
damage.
Parktronic system malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system, if only the red distance segments
illuminate and an acoustic warning sounds.
The Parktronic system will switch off
automatically after 20 seconds and indicator
lamp ; in Parktronic switch : comes on.
XHave the Parktronic system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
If only the red distance segments illuminate
and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g. dirt,
ice, snow and slush). Another cause could be
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers). The Parktronic system will
switch off automatically after 20 seconds and
indicator lamp ; in Parktronic switch :
comes on.
XSwitch off the ignition.XClean the Parktronic system sensors
( Y page 263).XSwitch on the ignition.
orXCheck the Parktronic system operation at
another location to rule out interference
from outside radio or ultrasonic signals.
Rear view camera
The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
The area behind the vehicle appears in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image,
like in the rear view mirror.
In addition, the rear view camera contains
guidelines to help you with driving in reverse.GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
GWarning!
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
R from a distorted perspective
R inaccurately
R may not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others.
GWarning!
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if
R the tailgate is open
R it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy
R it is night or you are parking/maneuvering
your vehicle in an area where it is very dark
R the camera is exposed to a very bright white
light
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The fuel filler flap is located on the right-hand
side of the vehicle towards the rear.
XTurn off the engine.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
filler cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and the
malfunction indicator lamp ! (USA
only) or ; (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see also “Practical
hints” (Y page 303).
XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
KEYLESS-GO: Open the driver’s door. This
puts the starter switch in position 0, same
as with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch. The driver’s door then can
be closed again.
XOpening: Press fuel filler flap : at the
point indicated by the arrow.
XTurn fuel filler cap ; counterclockwise.XTake off fuel filler cap ;.
! The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel
filler neck. Do not drop the cap. It could
damage the vehicle paint finish.
XSet fuel filler cap ; on fuel filler flap :.XFully insert filler nozzle unit and refuel.XOnly fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit
cuts out – do not top off or overfill.
XClosing: Turn fuel filler cap ; clockwise
until it audibly engages.
iClose the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle. Otherwise the flap locking pin will
prevent closing the fuel filler flap.
XClose fuel filler flap :.
Low outside temperatures (diesel
engine)
! Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not
blend diesel fuel with gasoline or kerosene.
The fuel system and engine will otherwise
be damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with
improved cold flow characteristics is offered
in the winter months. Check with your fuel
retailer.
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (Y page 356).
Check the following:
REngine oil level (Y page 214)
RTire inflation pressure (Y page 221)
RCoolant level (Y page 216)
RVehicle lighting (Y page 311)
RWasher system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 217)
RBrake fluid (Y page 217)
Engine compartment
Hood
GWarning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
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Tire size designation, load and speed
rating:Tire width;Aspect ratio in %=Radial tire code?Rim diameterALoad index BSpeed symbol
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
General: Depending on the design standards
used, the tire size molded into the sidewall
may have no letter or a letter preceding the
tire size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation (as
illustrated above): Passenger car tire based
on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only.
Tire width
Tire width : indicates the nominal tire width
in millimeters.
Aspect ratio
Aspect ratio ; is the dimensional
relationship between tire section height and
section width and is expressed in percentage.
The aspect ratio is arrived at by dividing
section height by section width.
Tire code
Tire code = indicates the tire construction
type. The “R” stands for radial tire type. Letter
“D” means diagonal or bias ply construction;
letter “B” means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18). For
additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (Y page 237).
Rim diameter
Rim diameter ? is the diameter of the bead
seat, not the diameter of the rim edge. The
rim diameter is indicated in inches (in).
Load index
GWarning!
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
tire failure may be the result which may cause
an accident and/or serious injury to you or
others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part.
GWarning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Load index A is a numerical code associated
with the maximum load a tire can support.
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The brakes may produce a squeaking-type
noise depending on the
R vehicle speed
R brake force applied
R ambient conditions, e.g. temperature and
humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of
individual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on your
driving style and the conditions under which
you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driving style
calling for high-demand braking will cause
your vehicle’s brakes to wear more quickly.
Parking brake
When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake.
To prevent corrosion and a reduction in the
braking power of the parking brake, observe
the following:
XFrom time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.XDrive a distance of approximately 110 yds
(100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).GWarning!
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.
Driving off
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached.
! When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. Doing so may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires. In heavy rain or
when conditions indicate possible
hydroplaning:
XReduce vehicle speed.XAvoid track grooves in the road.XApply brakes cautiously.
Standing water
! Do not drive through flooded areas.
Before driving through water, determine its
depth.
If you must drive through standing water,
drive slowly to prevent water from entering
the passenger compartment or the engine
compartment. Water in these areas could
cause damage to electrical components or
wiring of the engine or transmission, or
could result in water being ingested by the
engine through the air intake causing
severe internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
i Vehicles with air suspension program:
Select the raised level (Y page 156) before
driving through standing water.
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XClose all doors and the tailgate.XAttach the trailer.XPlug in all electrical connectors.
iVehicles with vehicle level control:
When you are towing a trailer, the vehicle
level always remains in the highway setting.
The following applies additionally when
towing a trailer:
R The vehicle is lowered to the highway
level when it reaches a speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) if not set to highway level.
R The highspeed level is not available.
The restrictions that apply to towing also
apply when using accessories that are
connected to the trailer power socket, such
as a bicycle rack.
Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for
where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be the police or local
authorities.
Note the following, when driving with a trailer:
R In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free of traffic.
R Before you start driving check the
- trailer hitch
- break-away switch
- safety chains
- electrical connections
- lighting
- tires
R Adjust the mirrors ( Y page 89) to permit
unobstructed view beyond rear of trailer.
R If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving slowly, and then
apply only the trailer brake controller by
hand to make sure the brakes are working
properly.
R Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
R When towing a trailer, check occasionally
to make sure the load is secure, and that
trailer lighting and brakes (if so equipped)
are functioning properly.
R Take into consideration that when towing a
trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
R The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore limited in
acceleration and climbing ability, and has a
larger braking distance.
It is more prone to reacting to cross wind
gusts, and requires more sensitive steering
input.
R If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first to
permit the trailer to activate its brake. Then
increase the braking force.
! If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
Do not attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.
R If the transmission shifts between gears on
inclines repeatedly, shift to a lower gear
range manually ( Y page 113). Select 4, 3 ,
2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduction of speed
reduces the chance of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
R On very steep inclines, not manageable
with automatic transmission in gear range
1 , switch on off-road driving program
( Y page 155).
R When going down an incline, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine’s braking
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