2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 steering

steering wheel. Cleaners containing solvents
will make the surface porous and vehicle
occupants could suffer serious injuries from
plastic parts coming loose in the event of air
bag deployment.
! Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface.
Hard plastic trim items XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care
on a soft, lint-free cloth and apply with light
pressure.
COMAND display
! You must switch off the COMAND display
and allow it to cool prior to cleaning.
! Do not use any liquids or cleaning agents.
These can damage or even destroy the
COMAND display screen.
XUse a standard microfiber cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel
XWipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Carpets
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet and
Fabric Care for cleaning the carpets.
Headliner
XUse a soft bristle brush or a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts
XOnly use clear, lukewarm water and soap.
! The seat belts must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the
seat belts at temperatures above 176‡
(80†) or in direct sunlight.GWarning!
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause the
upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will
be prevented.
GWarning!
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers may
interfere with or prevent
R deployment of the front side impact air
bags
R deployment of the rear side impact air bags
R activation of the NECK-PRO active front
head restraints
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Leather upholstery
Please note that leather upholstery is a
natural product and is therefore subject to a
natural aging process. Leather upholstery
may also react to certain ambient influences
such as high humidity or high temperature by
showing wrinkles for example.
XWipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-
Benz approved Leather Care.Vehicle care265Operation164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 265Z

Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
( Y page 128) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button ( Y page 118) or button
& , * , U or V on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button or button &, * ,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu
( Y page 128). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
GWarning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWarning!
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.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 273) and
symbol messages ( Y page 283).
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Text messages
Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABSABS, ESP
Inoperativ
e
See
Operator’s
ManualThe brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-
SAFE ®
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
ABSABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e
See
Operator’s
ManualThe self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a short distance at a vehicle
speed of above 12 mph (20 km/h).ABSABS, ESP
Unavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply, the ABS, the BAS, the ESP ®
, and
the PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the ABS,
the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are
operational again and the message should disappear.XIf the message does not disappear: Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.ESPInoperativ
e See
Operator’s
ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d comes on.
The brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction the BAS, the ESP ®
, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system
are unavailable.
The ABS may not be operational.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of an
accident.
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display273Practical hints164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 273Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsESPUnavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe brake system still functions normally but due to
insufficient power supply the ESP ®
, the BAS, and the
PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.
When the voltage is above the required value again, the
ESP ®
, the BAS, and the PRE-SAFE ®
system are operational
again and the message in the multifunction display should
disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:
XHave the alternator and the battery checked.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.ESPUnavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualIf the yellow ESP ®
warning lamp d flashes while driving
and this message appears, the Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) has switched off to prevent overheating of the
drive wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the Electronic Traction
System (ETS/4-ETS) switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disappears and the
ESP ®
warning lamp d goes out.ESPUnavailabl
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe self-diagnosis may not be completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a short distance at a vehicle
speed of above 12 mph (20 km/h).PRE-SAFEInoperativ
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe PRE-SAFE ®
system has failed. All other occupant safety
systems, such as the air bags, are still available.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.274Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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TiresDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCheck
tires,then
restart
Run Flat
Indicator.There has been a warning message about a loss in the tire
inflation pressure and the tire pressure loss warning system
was not restarted yet.XMake sure the correct tire inflation pressure is set for each
tire.XThen restart the tire pressure loss warning system
( Y page 222).Run Flat
IndicatorInoperativ
eThe tire pressure loss warning system is malfunctioning.XHave the tire pressure loss warning system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Tire
PressureCheck
TiresThe tire pressure loss warning system indicates that the tire
inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.XCheck the tires and, if necessary, change the wheel
( Y page 319).XCheck and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
( Y page 221).XRestart the tire pressure loss warning system after
adjusting the tire inflation pressure values ( Y page 222).Tire
pressure
displayed
afterdriving
for a few
minutes.The tire inflation pressure is being checked by the Advanced
TPMS.XDrive the vehicle for a few minutes.Tire
Pressure
MonitorInoperativ
eThe Advanced TPMS is malfunctioning.XHave the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Tire
Pressure
MonitorInoperativ
e No
Wheel
SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate wheel sensors mounted
(e.g. winter tires).XHave the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XHave the appropriate wheel sensors installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display281Practical hints164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 281Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsTire
Pressure
MonitorWheel
Sensor
MissingAt least one sensor is defect (e.g. battery is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by – – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.XHave the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XHave the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.At least one wheel without appropriate wheel sensors is
mounted (e.g. spare tire).
The respective tire is indicated by – – instead of the tire
inflation pressure in the multifunction display.XHave the Advanced TPMS checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XHave the wheel sensors installed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Tire
Pressure
MonitorCurrently
Unavailabl
eThe Advanced TPMS cannot monitor the tire inflation pressure
due to a nearby radio interference source or insufficient
power supply.
As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been rectified,
the Advanced TPMS becomes active again automatically after
a few minutes of driving.Tire
Pressure(s
) Please
CorrectThe tire inflation pressure is too low in at least one tire.
or
The tire inflation pressures of the individual tires differ from
each other significantly.
The tire inflation pressure values are shown in the
multifunction display.XCheck and correct tire inflation pressure as required
( Y page 221).XRestart the Advanced TMPS ( Y page 226).Caution:
Tire
DefectAt least one tire is deflating.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 319).282Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCheck
Tire(s)The tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is significantly
below the reference value.
The respective tire is indicated in the multifunction display.XCarefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.XCheck and adjust tire inflation pressure as required.XIf necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 319).GWarning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire.
GWarning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Symbol messages
Brake
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions#Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their wear limit.XHave the brake pads replaced as soon as possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually inspected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)EBV, ABS,
ESP
Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the EBP, the ESP ®
, and the
PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.$
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only)Release
Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake engaged. In addition
an acoustic warning sounds.XRelease the parking brake.$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Check
Brake
Fluid
LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brakeXDo not drive any further.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem.
GWarning!
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark
or below, have the brake system checked for brake pad thickness and leaks.
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