2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 tailgate

Storage position
XTake the reversible ratchet from the vehicle
tool kit (Y page 268).
Operational position
XAttach reversible ratchet ; to jack : in
such a way that the word UP can be seen.
Before placing the jack and the reversible
ratchet back into the vehicle tool kit:
XFully collapse the jack (storage position).XRemove the reversible ratchet.
Spare wheel
GObserve Safety notes, see page 319.
iUSA only:
The ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC does not have
a spare wheel.
iCanada only:
The ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC does not have
a spare wheel. ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
vehicles that are factory equipped with 20''
wheels come with TIREFIT.
The spare wheel is located in the space
underneath the cargo compartment floor.
XRemoving: Open the tailgate (Y page 75).XLift the cargo compartment floor and
secure it on the upper cargo compartment
lip (Y page 268).
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
securing hook from upper cargo
compartment lip and lower the cargo
compartment floor before closing the
tailgate.
XRemove the storage well casing (if so
equipped) (Y page 270).
Example illustration
XRemove retaining screw : by turning it
counterclockwise.
XRemove spare wheel ;.
For information on mounting the spare wheel,
see “Flat tire” (Y page 319).
Storing the spare wheel after use
XPlace spare wheel ; into the spare wheel
well (Y page 271).
XSecure spare wheel ; by turning retaining
screw : clockwise (Y page 271).
XPlace the storage well casing (if so
equipped) into the spare wheel
(Y page 270).
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÁCompressor
Cooling
DownYou have selected a higher vehicle level. Due to frequent level
changes within a short period, the compressor must cool
down first.
! When the message Compressor Cooling Down appears
in the multifunction display, driving is still possible. Keep in
mind that the ride height of the vehicle is not yet reached,
so you can damage the underbody of the vehicle.XLet the compressor cool down until the message
disappears.
The selected level will be set once the compressor has
cooled down.ÃInoperativ
eDownhill Speed Regulation is malfunctioning.XHave the Downhill Speed Regulation checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Vehicle
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsEYou are driving with the hood or the tailgate open.XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XClose the hood ( Y page 214) or the tailgate ( Y page 75).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
You are trying to lock the vehicle with the KEYLESS-GO
function with a door or the tailgate open.XClose all doors and/or the tailgate ( Y page 75).;You are driving with at least one door open.XClose all doors.+Key
Detected
In VehicleA SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO left in the vehicle was
recognized while trying to lock the vehicle from the outside.XTake the SmartKey out of the vehicle.+Don’t
Forget
Your KeyThis message appears for a maximum of 60 seconds if the
driver’s door is opened with the engine turned off and no
SmartKey in the starter switch. This message is only a
reminder.XTake the SmartKey with you when leaving the vehicle.286Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XMove locking tab : in the direction of
arrow.
XSlide mechanical key ; out of the housing.
Unlocking the driver’s door
XInsert mechanical key ; into the driver’s
door lock.
XTurn mechanical key ; counterclockwise
to position 1.
XPull the door handle past the resistance
point until the locking knob moves up.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
XPull the door handle once more to open the
driver’s door.
XTurn mechanical key ; back and remove
it from the driver’s door lock.Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO, lock it as
follows:
XClose the front passenger door, the right
rear door, and the tailgate.
XOpen the driver’s door and the rear left
door.
XPress the central locking switch
(Y page 75).
The locking knobs of the front passenger
door and the rear doors move down.
XIf the vehicle battery is disconnected or
drained: Press down the locking knobs on
the front passenger door and the rear
doors.
XExit the vehicle.XClose the driver’s door.XEnter the vehicle through the rear left door.XPress down the locking knob of the driver’s
door.
! To prevent inadvertent lockout, make
sure to have the SmartKey with you before
proceeding with the next step. The next
step will lock the vehicle.
XExit the vehicle.XClose the rear left door.
The vehicle is locked.
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-
theft alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel
filler flap.
Unlocking and opening the tailgate
If the tailgate can no longer be unlocked and
opened using button F on the SmartKey
or the KEYLESS-GO function, use the
emergency release lever to unlock and open
the tailgate.
The emergency release lever is located on the
inside of the tailgate.
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A minimum height clearance of 7.2 ft
(2.20 m) is required to open the tailgate.
XRemove cover ; from the trim on the
tailgate.
XPush emergency release lever : all the
way to the left.
! The tailgate swings open upwards
automatically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance.
XOpen the tailgate.
iIf the vehicle has previously been locked
from the outside using the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO, opening the tailgate from the
inside using the emergency release lever
will trigger the anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:RInsert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
RPress button % or & on the
SmartKey.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:RPull an outside door handle.
The SmartKey must be within 3 ft (1 m)
of the vehicle.
RPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey must be inside the vehicle.
XReinstall cover ;.Fuel filler flapGWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not recognize
potential danger.
GWarning!
Avoid contact with the vehicle walls as they
may contain sharp edges. Otherwise, you
could injure yourself while releasing the fuel
filler flap.
In case the central locking system does not
release the fuel filler flap, you can open it
manually.
The fuel filler flap release is located on the
passenger side in the cargo compartment
behind the cover.
XOpen the tailgate (Y page 75).XOpen the cover on the passenger-side trim
panel (Y page 316).
XPull yellow fuel filler flap release : in
direction of arrow.
The fuel filler flap is unlocked.
XOpen the fuel filler flap (Y page 210).XClose the cover.XClose the tailgate.308Unlocking/locking manuallyPractical hints
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XTurn housing cover ; counterclockwise
and remove it.
XTurn bulb socket C with the bulb
counterclockwise and remove it.
XPull the bulb out of bulb socket C.XGently press the new bulb into bulb socket
C.
XPlace bulb socket C back into the housing
and turn it clockwise until it engages.
XAlign housing cover ; and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
Parking and standing lamp bulb,
front turn signal lamp bulb,
side marker lamp bulb
XTurn respective bulb socket =, ? or A
(Y page 314) with the bulb
counterclockwise and remove it.
XPull the bulb out of the bulb socket.XGently press the new bulb into the bulb
socket.
XPlace bulb socket =, ? or A back into
the housing and turn it clockwise until it
engages.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following:
XSwitch off the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$.
Tail lamp unit
To access the tail lamp units, you first have to
remove the cover in the corresponding side
trim panel of the cargo compartment.
XOpen the tailgate.Opening the driver’s side trim panelXTurn lock : counterclockwise by 90°.XRemove cover ;.
Removing storage compartment
Example illustration: Storage compartmentwithout sound system
XRemove everything from storage
compartment ;.
XInsert a suitable object such as a coin into
the slot of lock :.
XTurn lock : by 90° in direction of the
arrow.
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Opening the passenger-side trim panelXInsert a suitable object such as a coin into
the slot of lock :.
XTurn lock : by 90° in direction of the
arrow.
XRemove cover ;.
Replacing bulbs
Example illustration: Standard rear lamp driver’sside
:Brake lamp bulb socket;Rear turn signal lamp bulb socket=Side marker lamp bulb socket?Tail lamp, parking and standing lamp and
rear fog lamp (driver’s side only) bulb
socket
ABackup lamp bulb socket
Example illustration: LED rear lamp driver’s side
:Backup lamp bulb socket;Rear fog lamp bulb sockets (driver’s side
only)
XDepending on which bulb needs to be
replaced, turn the respective bulb socket
counterclockwise.
XPull the bulb socket out of the housing.XStandard rear lamp: Gently press onto the
bulb and turn it counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.
LED rear lamp: Pull the bulb out of its bulb
socket.
XStandard rear lamp: Gently press the new
bulb into its bulb socket and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
LED rear lamp: Gently press the new bulb
into its bulb socket.
XAlign the bulb socket and turn it clockwise.XMake sure the bulb socket is attached
properly.
XClose the respective cover in the cargo
compartment.
XClose the tailgate.316Replacing bulbsPractical hints
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License plate lampsXLoosen screws : of lamp cover to be
removed.
XRemove lamp cover ;.XReplace the bulb.XReinstall lamp cover ;.XRetighten screws :.
Adjusting headlamp aim
:V Vertical centerline;H Horizontal mounting height, measured
from the center
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. High beam adjustments
simultaneously aim the low beam. To check
and readjust a headlamp, follow the steps
described:
XPark the vehicle on a level surface 25 feet
(7.6 m) from a vertical test screen or wall.
XMake sure the vehicle has a normal tailgate
load.
XSwitch on the low beam headlamps L.
If the beam does not show a beam pattern as
indicated in the figure left, then follow the
steps below:
XOpen the hood (Y page 212).
The adjustment screws are located under the
cover panel.
XInsert a suitable tool into the openings in
the panel cover. The direction of arrows
= and ? indicate the angle in which the
tool has to be inserted in oder to access the
adjustment screws.
XAlways turn the adjustment screws equally
for vertical adjustment until the headlamp
is adjusted as shown in :. Turn clockwise
for upward movement and
counterclockwise for downward
movement.
Graduations:
RScrew at arrow =: 0.67° pitch
RScrew at arrow ?: 0.50° pitch
The left and right headlamps must be
adjusted individually.
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GWarning!
The dimensions of the spare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style
accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire inflation pressure and do
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Contact the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted.
GWarning!
Vehicles with air suspension program:
Do not open or close any doors or the tailgate
while mounting a spare wheel. The vehicle
could rise or lower to a previously selected
level. You or others could be injured as a
result.
Preparing the vehicle
XVehicles with air suspension program:
Make sure the vehicle level is set to
highway level ( Y page 155).XWhenever possible, park the vehicle in a
safe distance from moving traffic on a hard,
flat surface.XTurn on the hazard warning flasher.XTurn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight-ahead position.XEngage the parking brake.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
XVehicles with 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 can then be closed again.
Open doors only when conditions are safe
to do so.XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Remove the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from the
starter switch.XHave any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Open
doors only when conditions are safe to do
so.
i Vehicles with spare wheel with collapsible
tire or TIREFIT:
Only use the power outlet in the second-
row footwell for electric air pump
operation.
You can use the power outlet even when
the ignition is switched off, e.g. in order to
inflate the collapsible tire.
An emergency shut-off feature is designed
to prevent the vehicle’s on-board voltage
from dropping below a minimum level. If
the on-board voltage drops to this
minimum level, the power outlets are
switched off automatically to help preserve
engine starting power.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures
down to -4‡ (-20†).
GWarning!
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for cuts or punctures larger
than approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
320Flat tirePractical hints
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