Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings ...................... 188
Selective setting
see Key, SmartKey
Selector lever
see Gear selector lever
Self-test
BabySmart™ .................................... 47
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 45
Tele Aid .......................................... 199
Service
see Maintenance
Service, parts .................................... 346
Service and warranty information ..... 20
Service intervals see Maintenance System, Service
indicator message
Service life (tires) .............................. 232
Settings
Factory setting (KEYLESS-GO) .........72
Factory setting (SmartKey) ..............71
Memory function .............................. 92
Menu ............................................. 129
Selective setting (KEYLESS-GO) .......73
Selective setting (SmartKey) ............71
Side impact air bags ........................... 40
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 263
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 293
Sidewall (tires) .................................. 241
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains ...................................... 243
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel ....................................... 352
Mounting ....................................... 324
Storage location ............................ 271
Speedometer ............................... 28, 146
Speed settings
Cruise control ................................ 142
Distronic ........................................ 148
Resume function ...................143, 149Sport Utility Vehicle
see SUV
SRS
Indicator lamp ...................29, 36, 301
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 285
Standing water, driving through ...... 247
Starter switch positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 80
SmartKey ......................................... 79
Starting difficulties (engine) ............ 105
Starting the engine ........................... 103
Steering column see Multifunction steering wheel,
Adjustment
Steering wheel
see Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel gearshift control ..... 115
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ... 204
Storage compartments ..................... 192
Storing tires ....................................... 233
Stranded vehicle ............................... 342
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sun visors .......................................... 195
Suspension tuning see Air suspension program
SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) ................. 22
T
Tachometer .................................. 29, 119
Overspeed range ........................... 119
Tailgate
Closing ............................................. 75
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 286
Opening ........................................... 75
Power tailgate .................................. 76
Unlocking manually .......................307
Tail lamps ........................................... 312
Cleaning lenses ............................. 263
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 295
Tar stains ........................................... 261
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant ............359
Brake fluid ..................................... 359
16Index164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 16
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety .............................. 23
Towing ........................................... 338
Unlocking/locking manually ..........306
Vehicle configuration menu ............. 137
Vehicle dimensions see Vehicle specification
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ................................................... 346
Vehicle jack see Jack
Vehicle level control
see Air suspension program
Vehicle lighting .................................... 92
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings ...................... 188
Cargo volume, expanding ..............189
Carriers .......................................... 187
Instructions .................................... 186
Load limit ....................................... 228
Terminology ................................... 239
Vehicle maximum load on the tire ... 242
Vehicle specification
ML 350 .......................................... 348
ML 350 4MATIC ............................. 349
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC ...............348
ML 550 4MATIC ............................. 350
ML 63 AMG ................................... 351
Vehicle status message memory .... 128
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 268
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
Vehicle weights
see Vehicle specification
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function .............151
Distronic ........................................ 146
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt .....51
Parking brake ................................ 284
Parktronic system ..........................163
Seat belt telltale ............................ 300
Warranty coverage ............................ 346
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................................ 364
Washer fluid
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 288
Mixing ratio .................................... 364
Refilling .......................................... 217
Washing the vehicle .......................... 260
Wear pattern (tires) .......................... 234
Weights (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Wheel
Changing ....................................... 319
Removing ....................................... 327
Spare ............................................. 319
Tightening torque ........................... 330
Wheels, sizes ..................................... 352
Wheels, Tires and .............................. 218
Window curtain air bags ..................... 41
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning ............................ 264
Windshield
Cleaning wiper blades .................... 264
Infrared reflecting ..........................208
Washer fluid ................................... 364
Wipers ............................................. 98
Windshield wipers
Replacing wiper blades ..................318
Winter cover .............................. 214, 242
Winter driving
Instructions .................................... 243
Radiator cover ............................... 242
Snow chains .................................. 243
Tires ............................................... 242
Winter tires ................................ 242, 352
Wood trims, cleaning ........................ 266Index19164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 19
CockpitFunctionPage:Cruise control lever:Cruise control141Distronic144;Instrument cluster28,
117
=Multifunction steering
wheel
30,
119
?Horn ASteering wheel gearshift
control115
BGear selector lever109CFront Parktronic warning
indicators 161
DOverhead control panel32EGlove box lid release, glove
box lock193
FGlove box192GPower outlet197HCenter console31FunctionPageIStarter switch79JSteering wheel adjustment,
manual86
KOn-board diagnostics
(OBD) socket
LHood lock release212MParking brake release107NParking brake pedal107ODoor control panel33PExterior lamp switch93QSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical86
Heated steering wheel88RCombination switch:Turn signals95Wipers98High beam96Cockpit27At a glance164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 27Z
Instrument clusterFunctionPage:# Left turn signal
indicator lamp
;To dim instrument cluster
illumination118
=Reset button for: Trip odometer118Settings129?To brighten instrument
cluster illumination118
A! Right turn signal
indicator lamp
BClock 132CSpeedometer with: ! Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator
lamp 298
È Variable speed limiter
indicator lamp2FunctionPage$ Brake warning lamp,
USA only 299
d ESP® warning lamp 301· Distance warning
lamp3302
J Brake warning lamp,
Canada only299
h Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only
223,
304
2Lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It should go out when the engine is running.3Vehicles without Distronic: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It shouldgo out when the engine is running.
28Instrument clusterAt a glance
164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 28
FunctionPageDMultifunction display with:Trip odometer118Main odometer121ETachometer with: 7 Seat belt telltale 51,
300
% Preglow indicator
lamp, diesel engine only 104
oré Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning
lamp, ML 450 HYBRID only4
+ Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
36,
301
L Low-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 93
; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Canada only303
! Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA only 303
K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 96
FunctionPageFuel gauge with: Fuel tank
reserve warning lamp 303
8 Fuel filler flap
indicator: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear right-
hand side.
GMultifunction display with:Outside temperature
indicator or digital
speedometer (depending
on selected setting in the
control system)
123,
131
Transmission position
indicator112
Gear range indicator114Automatic transmission
program mode indicator114
Rear window wiper
indicator100
Downhill Speed Regulator
(DSR) indicator153
Off-road driving program
indicator1554See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Instrument cluster29At a glance164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 29Z
The PRE-SAFE®
system takes preventive
measures to better protect the occupants
from the possibility of personal injuries in the
following hazardous situations:
R emergency braking maneuvers with the
Brake Assist System (BAS) ( Y page 63)
activated
R critical dynamic driving situations, e.g.
when the vehicle has been caused to
understeer or oversteer because it has
exceeded its physical limitations or in case
of evasive steering maneuvers at speeds
above approximately 85 mph (140 km/h)
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
when it is activated:
R The front seat belts are pre-tensioned
automatically.
R Vehicles with front passenger seat memory
function: If the passenger seat is in an
unfavorable position, the seat will be
adjusted to a position that seeks to better
protect the occupant.
R If the vehicle is in a critical dynamic driving
situation, the door windows close, except
for a minimal gap that remains open.
R Vehicles with power tilt/sliding sunroof: If
the vehicle is in a critical dynamic driving
situation, the tilt/sliding sunroof also
closes, except for a minimal gap that
remains open.
If the closing procedure of any of these
elements is blocked, it will stop and open
slightly.
Once the hazardous situation no longer exists
and an accident has been avoided, the seat
belt pre-tensioning is deactivated. All of the
PRE-SAFE ®
settings can be re-adjusted
following the critical driving event.
If the seat belts do not release:XAdjust the seat backrest or seat slightly to
the rear until the seat belt tension is
reduced.
The locking mechanism releases.! When moving the seats, make sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise, you could damage the
seats and/or the items.
For information on the seat belt adjustment
function as an integrated comfort feature of
PRE-SAFE ®
, see ( Y page 51).
NECK-PRO active front head
restraints
The NECK-PRO active front head restraints
are intended to offer the driver and front
passenger increased protection from
whiplash-type injuries. In the event of a rear-
end collision, the NECK-PRO active front head
restraints on the front seats are designed to
move forward in the direction of travel. They
thus provide the head with increased support
earlier on in the collision sequence. The
NECK-PRO active front head restraints will
move forward whether the seats are occupied
or not.
GWarning!
Do not attach any objects (e.g. hangers) to the
head restraint posts. Otherwise, the NECK-
PRO active front head restraints may not be
able to function properly or offer the intended
degree of protection they were designed for
in the event of a rear-end collision.
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 the activation of the
NECK-PRO active front head restraints and/
or the deployment of the front side impact air
bags.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
When the NECK-PRO active front head
restraints have been triggered in an accident,
the NECK-PRO active front head restraints
Occupant safety53Safety and security164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 53Z
Make sure:
R The seat belt is always fitted snugly.
R Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder.
R Place the lap portion of the seat belt as low
as possible on your hips.
Seat and head restraintGObserve Safety notes, see page 81.XPosition seat = and head restraint
properly. See ( Y page 82) for seat and
head restraint adjustment.
Observe the following points:
R Always be in a properly seated position.
R The position should be as far rearward from
the front air bag in the steering wheel as
possible, while still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
R The seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten and position your seat belt.
R The seat backrest must be in a position that
is as nearly upright as possible.
R Adjust the seat cushion so that the front
edge of the seat cushion lightly supports
your legs.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Children in the vehicle
Safety notes
If an infant or child is traveling with you in the
vehicle:
XSecure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and size of
the child.XMake sure the infant or child is properly
secured at all times while the vehicle is in
motion.GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch. Always
take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system’s
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned by these
parts.
GWarning!
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger or cargo compartment unless they
are firmly secured in place.
Occupant safety55Safety and security164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 55Z
The rear door windows can no longer be
operated using the respective switch
located in the rear doors.
You can still operate the rear door windows
using the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver’s door.
XDeactivating: Press override switch :
again.
The switch disengages from its recessed
position back to its original position.
The rear door windows can be operated
again using the respective switch located
in the rear doors.
For more information on power windows, see
the “Controls in detail” section
(Y page 100).
Panic alarm
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XActivating: Press and hold !
button : for at least 1 second.
An audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps will operate briefly.
XDeactivating: Press ! button : again.
or
XInsert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
or
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
inside the vehicle.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1.This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
RABS (Antilock Brake System)
RBAS (Brake Assist System)
REBP (Electronic Brake Proportioning)
RESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only
Driving safety systems61Safety and security164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 61Z