2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 ESP

release. The corresponding turn signal
lamps will flash three times.
High beam
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 93).
XSwitching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
XSwitching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow = to its original
position.
iAlso note the information on high-beam
headlamps with activated automatic
headlamp mode (Y page 93) or the daytime
running lamp mode (Y page 94).
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow =.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
XSwitching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
XSwitching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet automatically when the
engine is running and you have
Rswitched on the headlamps
and
Rthe windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid five times
The counter resets when you switch off the
headlamps.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 217).
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only operate
Rin low ambient lighting conditions
Rat vehicle speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h)
96LightingControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 96

Rwith the front fog lamps switched off
Rwhen the engine is running
Switching on
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L or Ã.
or
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
(Y page 94).
XSwitch on the left or right turn signal,
depending on whether you are turning left
or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on. If
you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
other direction, the corner-illuminating
front fog lamp on the side of the turn signal
comes on.
or
XTurn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
Driving forward: The front fog lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes on.
Driving in reverse: The front fog lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes
on.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal. If the corner-illuminating
front fog lamps came on automatically, they
will also go out automatically depending on
the steering angle and vehicle speed.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the
vehicle if you turn the steering wheel in one
direction and then again in the other direction
shortly thereafter.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp
remains lit for a short time only. It then goes
out automatically.
Switching offXSwitch off the left or right turn signal.
or
XSteer straight ahead.
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps go out.
Interior lighting in the front
:p Left front reading lamp on/off;v Rear interior lighting on/off=~ Automatic control on/off?c Front interior lighting on/off Ap Right front reading lamp on/offBFront interior lightingCFront reading lamps DFront interior lighting
Automatic control
XActivating: Press button ~.
Button ~ disengages and sits flush with
the other buttons.
The interior lighting comes on when you
Lighting97Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 97Z

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
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 98

For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 217).
For information on cleaning the headlamps
with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning
system” (Y page 96).
Rear window wiper/washer
XObserve notes on page (Y page 98).
The rear window wiper engages automatically
when the automatic transmission is shifted
into reverse gear R with the windshield wipers
switched on.
Combination switch
:è Rear window wiper switch2ô Wiping rear window with washer
fluid
3I Intermittent wiping40 Rear window wiper off5ô Wiping rear window with washer
fluid
XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn rear window wiper switch : to the
desired position.
Rear window wiper indicator B appears in
the lower multifunction display when the rear
window wiper is activated.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 217).
Problems with wipers
! If anything blocks the wipers (leaves,
snow, etc.), switch them off immediately.
For safety reasons, do the following before
attempting to remove any blockage:
RStop the vehicle in a safe location.
RRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
RTurn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in position
0, same as with SmartKey removed from
starter switch).
REngage the parking brake.
RRemove blockage.
RTurn the wipers on again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at
all with the combination switch in position
Ä or Å,
Rset the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed
Rhave the windshield wipers checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center
Power windows
Opening and closing
The door windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches for all door windows
are located on the driver’s door control panel.
The switches for the respective door windows
100Power windowsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 100

are located on the front passenger door and
on the rear doors.
i Operating the rear door windows from
the rear is not possible when you activate
the override switch (Y page 60).
GObserve Safety notes, see page 55.GWarning!
When opening or closing the door windows,
make sure there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the opening/closing procedure.
The door windows are equipped with the
express operation and automatic reversal
function. If in express operation mode a door
window encounters an obstruction that
blocks its path, the automatic reversal
function will stop the door window and open
it slightly.
The door windows operate differently when
the switch is pulled and held. See the “Closing
when a door window is blocked” section in
this chapter for details.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the door windows by pressing
and holding button & on the SmartKey or
by pressing and holding the lock button
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) on an outside
door handle, the automatic reversal function
will not operate.
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle. The
children may otherwise injure themselves,
e.g. by becoming trapped in the door window
opening.
GWarning!
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the window pane when opening a window. The
downward motion of the pane may pull that
part of your body down between the window
pane and the door frame and trap it there. If
there is a risk of entrapment, release the
switch and pull it to close the window.
iYou can also open or close the door
windows using the SmartKey, see
“Summer opening feature” (Y page 102)
and “Convenience closing feature”
(Y page 102).
iAfter switching off the ignition or
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch, you can operate the door windows
until you open the driver’s or front
passenger door. If no door was opened you
can operate the door windows for up to
5 minutes.
XSwitch on the ignition.XOpening/closing: Press or pull and hold
switch : to ? to the resistance point.
The corresponding door window moves
downward or upward until you release the
switch.
XExpress operation: Press or pull
switch : to ? past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window opens or
closes completely.
XStopping during express operation:
Press or pull the respective switch again.
Power windows101Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 101Z

Closing when a door window is blockedGWarning!
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
and be seriously or even fatally injured when
closing a door window with greater force or
without automatic reversal function.
If the upward movement of a door window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the
door window will stop and open slightly.
XImmediately after the door window has
stopped because it was blocked, pull and
hold the respective switch upward until the
door window is fully closed.
The door window closes with greater force.
If the door window is blocked again and opens
slightly:
XImmediately after the door window was
blocked, pull and hold the respective
switch upward until the door window is fully
closed.
The door window closes without automatic
reversal function.GWarning!
Pulling and holding the switch to close the
door window immediately after it had been
blocked two times will cause the door window
to close without any reversal function for as
long as you hold the switch.
Synchronizing door windows
The door windows must be synchronized after
the battery has been disconnected or if the
door windows cannot be fully closed (express
operation).
Each door window must be synchronized
separately.
XClose all doors.XSwitch on the ignition.XPull and hold switch :, ; , = or ?
( Y page 101) until the respective door
window is closed.
The door window opens again slightly.XPull and hold the respective switch once
more immediately until the door window is
closed completely.XHold the respective switch for
approximately 1 second.
The door window is synchronized.
Summer opening feature
When the weather is warm, you can ventilate
the vehicle before driving off by
simultaneously
R opening the door windows
R opening the tilt/sliding sunroof
R switching on the seat ventilation for the
driver’s seat (Canada only)
The summer opening feature can only be
activated via the remote control of the
SmartKey. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the driver’s outside door handle.
XAim the transmitter eye of the SmartKey at
the driver’s outside door handle.XPress and hold button % on the
SmartKey until the door windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof have reached the
desired position.
The vehicle unlocks.XRelease button % on the SmartKey to
interrupt the opening procedure.
Convenience closing feature
When locking the vehicle, you can
simultaneously close the door windows and
the tilt/sliding sunroof.
GWarning!
When closing the door windows and the tilt/
sliding sunroof, make sure there is no danger
102Power windowsControls in detail
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 102

XMake sure the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button is inserted in the starter switch
( Y page 80).
i
To start the engine with the SmartKey
instead of the KEYLESS-GO function,
remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
from the starter switch. Proceed as
described in “With SmartKey”
( Y page 104).
XDepress the brake pedal during the starting
procedure.XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XGasoline engine: Press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once.
The engine starts automatically.XDiesel engine: Press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once.
The engine preglows and starts
automatically.
i If the engine is at operating temperature,
the time the engine needs to preglow is
reduced.
Starting difficulties
! Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
Carry out the following steps:
XIf you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.XIf you are starting the engine with KEYLESS-
GO: Close any doors that may be open to
allow for better detection of the SmartKey.
or
XRemove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch.XStart the engine with the SmartKey as radio
signals from another source may be
interfering with the KEYLESS-GO function.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
XGet a jump start ( Y page 336).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
XLet the starter cool for about 2 minutes.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Driving off
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life
of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
ML 63 AMG: At engine temperatures below
68‡ (20†), the engine’s maximum speed
Driving and parking105Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 105Z

EffectANeutral position
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the
transmission, never shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N while driving.
Exception: If the ESP ®
is switched
off or malfunctioning, shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding.
! Coasting the vehicle, or driving
for any other reason with the
automatic transmission in neutral
position N can result in
transmission damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.7Drive position
The automatic transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears are
available.
Driving tips
Kickdown
Use the kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
XU.S. vehicles except AMG vehicles:
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.XCanada vehicles and AMG vehicles:
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting the automatic
transmission directly between drive position
D and reverse gear R can help free a vehicle
stuck in mud or snow. The engine control
system of this vehicle electronically limits
directly shifting the automatic transmission
between drive position D and reverse gear R
to very low speeds, i.e. approximately 5 mph
( 9 km/h). To shift the automatic transmission
directly between drive position D and reverse
gear R, move the gear selector lever up or
down past the resistance point.
Working on the vehicle
GWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Towing a trailer
XWhen you tow a trailer, shift into a lower
gear range manually if the automatic
transmission hunts between gears on
inclines.
A lower gear range and reduction of speed
reduces the potential to overload or to
overheat the engine.
For more information on trailer towing, see
“Trailer towing” ( Y page 254).
Gear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D, you can limit or extend the gear
range, see “One-touch gearshifting”
( Y page 115).
ML 63 AMG: You only can limit or extend the
gear range when driving in automatic
program mode C or S.
Automatic transmission113Controls in detail164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 113Z