2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SUV Owners Manual

X
Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Onc eyou have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away.
Hill star tassist will not func tion if:
R you ar epulling away on alevel road or a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.
R the electric parking brak eisapplied.
R ESP ®
is malfunc tioning. ECO sta
rt/stop function
General notes The ECO start/stop func
tion switches the
engin eoff automatically if th evehicle stops
moving.
The engine star tsautomatically when you pull
away again. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. The system is
operational when ECO symbol ¤is shown
in the multifunc tion display.
If the ECO star t/stop func tion is deactivated
(Y page 143), ECO symbol ¤is not
shown. G
WARNING
If the ECO symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion displa ywhen the engin eisswitched off,
the engine was switched off automatically.
However, all vehicle systems remain active. If
you open the door, unfasten your seat belt or
remove your foot from the brake pedal, the
engine will automatically start .The vehicle
ma ybegin moving. There is arisk of accident.
To prevent the vehicle from accidentally pull-
ing away, do not release the brake pedal until
you want to drive on. Do not leave the vehicle until you have
switched off the ignition and secured the vehi-
cle to prevent it from rolling away.
! Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Automa tice ngine switch-off The ECO start/stop function switches the
engin
eoff automatically in certain situations.
To do this ,the vehicle must brake to astand-
still and the brakes must remain depressed
with the transmission in position Dor N.
The engine is only switched off if:
R the vehicle is at astandstill.
R the outside temperature is withi nthe range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engin eisatnormal operatin gtemper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the batter yissufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed.
R the driver' sdoor is closed and the seat belt
is fastened.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop func tion is available
again onc ethe ¤ ECO symbol reap-
pear sint he multifunction display.
i The engin ecan be switched off automat-
ically amaximum of three times in succes-
sion. The automatic engine switch-off is
then available again after the ¤ECO
symbol appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off automati-
cally. It is then not necessary to continue
applying the brakes during the automatic
stop phase .When you depress the accel- 142
DrivingDriving and parking

erator pedal, the engin
estart sautomati-
cally and the brakin geffect of th eHOLD
function is deactivated. Depress the accel-
erator pedal carefully ,asthe engin emust
be started first.
Automatic engin estart The engi
neis started automatically if:
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you release the brakes when in transmis-
sion position Dor N,w hen the HOL Dfunc-
tion is not active.
R the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
by pressing the ECO button.
R the vehicle start storoll.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the driv-
er' sd oor is opened.
R you shift the transmission to position R.
R you switc htodrive program M.
R yo us witch to an off-road program.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detect smoistur eont he wind-
screen when the air-conditionin gsystem is
switched on.
R the battery' scharge status is too low.
R the bonnet is opened.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range.
i Shif ting the transmissio ntoposition P
does not star tthe engine.
Deactiva ting/activa ting th eECO start/
stop function X
To deactivate: press button:.
Indicator lamp ;and the ¤ECO sym-
bol in the multifunction display go out.
X To activate: press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up and the ¤
ECO symbol is shown in the multifunction
display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤
ECO symbol is not shown in the multifunc-
tion display. If this is the case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of amalfunction. The engine will
then not be switched off automatically when
the vehicle stops.
i The ECO start/stop function is activated
each time the engine is switched on. Driving
143Drivingand parking Z

Problems wit
hthe engine Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Th
ee ngine doe snot
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is amalfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is amalfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the key in the
ignition back to position 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engin eagain (Y page 14 0).A void excessively
long and frequen tattempt stostartthe engine, as this will drain
the battery.
If the engine doe snot star tafter several attempts:
X Consult aqualified specialist workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz
Servic eCentre. The engine does not
start .The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lam pisl it and the fuel
gauge displa yshows 0. The fuel tan
kise mpty.
X Refue lthe vehicle. The engin
edoes not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-boar
dvoltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 348).
If the engin edoes not star tdespite attempt stojump-start it:
X Consult aqualified specialist workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz
Servic eCentre. The starter motor was exposed to
athermal load that was too high.
X Allo wthe starter motor to cool down for approximatel ytwo
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult aqualified specialist workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz
Servic eCentre. 144
DrivingDriving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with
apetrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is
amalfunction in the engine electronics or in amechanical
componen tofthe engin emanagement system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at aqualified specialist
workshop, e.g. aMercedes-Benz Servic eCentre.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolan
ttempera-
tur ed isplay is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warnin glamp
may also be on and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 321). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct
,the radiator fa nmay be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently.
X At coolant temperatures under 120 †, drive on to the nearest
qualified specialis tworkshop, e.g. to aMercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Automa
tict ransmission Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedal smust not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on aslippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmissio npositions The DIRECT SELECT leve
risonthe right of the
steering column. Automa
tict ran smission
145Drivingand park ing Z

P
Park position with parkin glock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
i The DIREC TSELE CT lever alway sretur ns
to its original position. The curren ttrans-
mission position P,R, Nor Dap pe ars in the
transmission position display
(Y pag e146) in the mult ifunction display.
Transmissi onposition and driv epro-
gram display The current transmission pos
ition and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. :
Trans mission position display
; Driv eprogram display
i Thea rrow sint he transmission position
displa yshow how and int owhich transmis-
sion position syou can chan ge usingthe
DIRECT SELECT lever.
! If the transmission position displa yint he
multifunction displa yisnot working, you
should pull away carefully to chec kwhether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should selec ttrans-
mission position Dand drive program Eor
S.Don ot restric tthe shift range. Engaging pa
rk position P X
Push th eDIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
i The automatic transmission shi ftsa uto-
matically int opark posi tion Pif you open
th ed river' sdoor when th evehicle is sta-
tionar yordriving at very lo wspeed ,and the
transmission is in position Dor R.
i If you dep ress th ebrake peda land push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or dow n,the
parking lock is disengaged and the trans-
mission shifts to neutral N.
If you want to shift from park position P
directly to Ror D,d epress the brak eand
pus hthe DIREC TSELECT lever up or down
past the first point of resistance.
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from
D to R,f rom Rto Dor directly to P.Other-
wise ,the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
Engaging pa rk position Pautomatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off th eengine using the key and
remove the key, or if you swi tcho ff the
engin eusingthe Start/Stop button and
open on eofthe front do ors.
R HOL D(Ypage 187) or DISTRONI CPLUS
(Y page 174) bra keyour vehicle until it is
stationar yand at leas tone of th efollowing
condition sisfulfilled:
- there is asystem malfunction.
- there is asevere uphill or downhill slope.
The electric parking brak eisthena lso
applied.
Engaging revers egear R !
Only shif tthe automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X Push the DIREC TSELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance. 146
Automatic transmissionDrivin
gand parking

Neutral
NwithE CO st art/stop function
act ivated Th
eE CO start/sto pfunctio nswitches the
engin eoff automatically if the vehicle is
braked to astandstill whe ninneutral Nand
th eb rake is still depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, se e(Ypage 142).
Shifting to neutra lNX
Push th eDIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
Transmission position Dwith ECO
start/stop function activated The ECO start/stop fun
ction switches the
engin eoff automatically if th evehicle is
braked to astandstill when in transmission
position Dand the brake is still depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (Y page 142).
Shifting to transmissio nposition D X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. Transmission position display
The curren ttransmission positio niss hown in
th em ultifunctio ndisplay. :
Transmission position
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and int owhich transmission
positions you can change usin gthe DIRECT
SELECT lever. !
If the transmission position displa yinthe
multifunction displa yisnot working, you
should pull away car efullytoc heckwhether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Select transmission position D.
Do not restrict the shift range. Transmissio
npositions B
Park position
This prevent
sthe vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped. Do not
shift the transmission int oposition
P (Y page 160) unless the vehicle
is stationary.
The automatic transmission shifts
to Pautomatically if you:
R remove the key
R switc hoff th eengine whe ninR
or Dand open one of the front
doors C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic transmission
147Drivingand parking Z

A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmiss
ionto N
whil edriving. Otherwise, th eauto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No powe ristransmitte dfromt he
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allo wyou
to move the vehicl efreely, e.g .to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deacti vated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in dange rof
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
If you swit choff the engin eusing
the key or the Start/Stop but ton,
the automatic transmission shifts
to neutral Nautomatically.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Changin
ggear
The automatic transmission shift stothe indi-
vidual gear sautomatically when it is in trans-
missio nposition D.This automatic gearshift-
ing behaviour is determined by:
R ap ossible limitation of the shift range
R the selected drive program
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the roa dspeed Driving tips
Accelerator peda lposition Your style of drivin
ginfluences how the auto-
matic transmissio nshift sgear:
R littl ethrot tle: earl yupshifts
R mor ethrot tle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximu
macceleration.
X Depress the accelerato rpedal beyond the
pressur epoint.
The transmission shift stoalower gear
depending on the engin espeed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Trailer towing X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or
2 (Y page 150) depending on the uphill or
downhill gradient, even if cruise control,
DISTRONIC PLU SorSPEEDTRONIC is acti-
vated. Progra
mselector button
General notes The program selector button allow
syou to
choose between differen tdriving character-
istics. 148
Automatic transmissionDri
ving and parking

Examp
le:p rogra mselector button on the Progra
mselector button on vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sport
ydriving style M
Manual Manua
lgearshif ting i
Forfurther information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 149).
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program Eeach time the
engine is started. Steering wheel gearshift paddles
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestric
tthe shift range by using
steerin gwheel gearshift paddles :and ;
(Y page 150).
In the manua ldrive program, yo ucan change
gear yourself by using steering wheel gear-
shift paddles :and ;(Y page 150).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheel sbeing less likely to spin. Automatic transmission
149Drivingand parking Z
ML 25
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