2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 tailgate

Limiting opening height of tailgate
You can limit the opening height of the
tailgate in the upper opening range. This can
be useful, for example, when the space above
the tailgate is not sufficient.
Activating
XOpen the tailgate: Pull on handle
(Y page 75) or press and hold button
F on the SmartKey until the tailgate
opens.
XStop opening procedure: When the
tailgate is in the desired position, press
tailgate closing switch (Y page 77) or pull
on handle once more.
XYou can also press or pull the remote
tailgate opening/closing switch
(Y page 78) to stop the opening procedure.
XPress and hold the tailgate closing switch
in the tailgate (Y page 77) until you hear a
short acoustic signal.
The opening height of the tailgate is limited.
The tailgate will now stop at the stored
position when opened.
Deactivating
XPress and hold the tailgate closing switch
in the tailgate (Y page 77) until you hear
two short, consecutive acoustic signals.
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
GObserve Safety notes, see page 55.
Starter switch
gFor removing SmartKey1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. radio
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps
(except low-beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high-beam headlamp indicator lamp, and turn
signal indicator lamps unless activated) in the
instrument cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked and
replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster remains on after starting
the engine or comes on while driving, refer to
“Lamps in instrument cluster” (Y page 297).
XAlways remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
XCheck the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary.
or
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Runlock the vehicle
Rremove the SmartKey from the starter
switch (Interior Lighting Delayed
Shut-off must be switched on
(Y page 135))
Ropen a door
Ropen the tailgate
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after approximately
5 minutes when the SmartKey is removed
or in starter switch position 0.
XDeactivating: Press button ~.
Button ~ engages.
Manual control
! An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an
extended period of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged
battery.
XSwitching front interior lighting on/
off: Press switch c.
XSwitching rear interior lighting on/off:
Press switch v.
XSwitching front reading lamps on/off:
Press respective switch p.
Emergency lighting
The interior lighting comes on automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
Switching off:
XPress button ~.
or
XPress hazard warning flasher switch
(Y page 96).
or
XUnlock the vehicle with the SmartKey.Interior lighting in the rear
! An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an
extended period of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged
battery.
XSwitching rear reading lamps on/off:
Press reading lamp : where indicated by
the arrow.
Wipers
Notes
! Do not operate the wipers when the
windshield/rear window is dry. Dust that
accumulates on a windshield/rear window
might scratch the glass and/or damage the
wiper blades when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield/rear window. If it is necessary
to operate the wipers in dry weather
conditions, always operate the wipers with
washer fluid.
Windshield wipers
XObserve notes on page (Y page 98).98WipersControls in detail
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ML 63 AMG
The air suspension program is part of the ML
63 AMG standard equipment range.
Due to the vehicle’s sportier suspension
tuning, in comparison with standard vehicles,
the level positions in the ADS settings as well
as the speed thresholds for raising and
lowering the vehicle have been modified.
From the highway/high-speed level, the
vehicle is lowered to the ADS SPORT level
approximately 20 seconds after it is locked.
From the raised level, the vehicle is not
lowered after it is locked. When the engine is
started, the previously selected setting, e.g.
ADS COMF, is selected again.
! Be sure to observe this vehicle’s differing
values for ground clearance and vehicle
height in comparison to standard vehicles.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle.
Observe the values for
Ropening the tailgate
Rdriving off-road
Rthe vehicle’s main dimensions in the
“Technical data” section
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
The Adaptive Damping System (ADS) is
controlled electronically and operates
continuously. It adjusts the damping
characteristics to the current operating and
driving conditions. The damping is adjusted
individually for each wheel. Driving safety and
tire comfort are increased.
The fine tuning of the damping is dependent
on:
Ryour driving style
Rroad surface conditions
Ryour personal settings
The following settings are available:
RAUTO (for normal driving situations)
Indicator lamps ; and = are off.
RSPORT (for sporty driving)
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
With the ADS SPORT setting, the vehicle is
lowered approximately 0.6 in (15 mm).
ML63 AMG:
With the ADS SPORT setting, the vehicle is
lowered approximately 0.3 in (8 mm).
RCOMF (for comfort driving)
Indicator lamp = comes on.
ML63 AMG:
The vehicle is raised approximately 0.28 in
(7 mm).
XStart the engine.XPress ADS switch : repeatedly until the
desired suspension tuning is reached.
The setting remains stored when you turn off
the engine.
Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to increase vehicle safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
Changes to the vehicle level should be made
while the vehicle is moving. The vehicle will
then reach the set level as fast as possible.
When you park the vehicle and the ambient
temperature changes, the vehicle level may
change visibly. When the temperature drops,
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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:
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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 cargo compartment is the preferred place
to carry objects. Always use cargo tie-down
rings, and if so equipped, always use the cargo
net when transporting cargo.
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
Load distribution
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the weight
of the vehicle including:Rfuel
Rtools
Rspare wheel
Rinstalled accessories
Rpassengers
Rluggage/cargo
It must never exceed the load limit and the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for your
vehicle. The load limit and the GVWR are
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (Y page 227).
In addition, the load must be distributed so
that the weight on each axle never exceeds
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axle. The GVWR and GAWR for
your vehicle are indicated on the certification
label located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(Y page 227).
For more information, see “Tire and Loading
Information” (Y page 227).
The handling characteristics of a fully loaded
vehicle depend greatly on the load
distribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustration
shown. The heaviest items are to be placed
towards the front of the vehicle.
i The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo
volume (Y page 189) should only be used
for items which do not fit in the cargo
compartment alone.
Please pay attention to and comply with the
following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:
RAlways place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
RThe heaviest portion of the cargo should
always be kept as low as possible against
front or rear seat backrests.
For additional safety when transporting cargo
while the rear seats are unoccupied, fasten
the outer seat belts crosswise into the
opposite side buckles.
Carriers
For information about further carriers,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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GWarning!
Only use carriers when the basic carrier bars
have been completely mounted. The left and
right roof rails are only stabilized by means of
the basic carrier bars mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached carrier or its load could become
detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof is
loaded, the handling characteristics are
different from those when operating the
vehicle without the roof loaded.
Make sure
Ryou can raise the tilt/sliding sunroof at the
rear completely
Ryou can open the tailgate completely
:Roof rails
Parcel nets
GWarning!
Vehicles with Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Do not place objects with a combined weight
of more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into the parcel net
on the back of the front passenger seat.
Otherwise, the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant weight
category.
GWarning!
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
Parcel nets are located in the front passenger
footwell and on each of the front seat
backrests.
Cargo tie-down rings
Your vehicle is equipped with six cargo tie-
down rings.
Always follow loading instructions
(Y page 186).
Carefully secure cargo by applying even load
on all the cargo tie-down rings with a rope of
sufficient strength to hold down the cargo.
Cargo tie down rings, cargo compartment
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Cargo tie down rings, second-row footwell
Hooks
Four hooks are located on the rear
compartment trim panels, two on each side.
Use the hooks to secure light-weight items
only. The maximum permissible weight per
hook is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Expanding cargo volume
You can separately fold the left and right rear
seat backrests to expand the cargo volume.
GWarning!
When expanding the cargo volume, always
fully fold the corresponding seats and, if so
equipped, always use the cargo net when
transporting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the seat
backrests must remain properly locked in the
upright position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie-down rings.
GWarning!
Never drive a vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
Folding rear seat backrest forward
! Always release the seat cushion and fold
it up before folding the seat backrest
forward. The seat backrest may otherwise
be damaged.
When the seat backrest is folded forward,
the front seats may not be moved to the
rearmost position. Otherwise you could
damage the front and second-row seats.
XPull release loop :.XFold seat cushion ; forward.Loading and storing189Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 189Z