2014 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class lamp

(Y
page 157) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To start adiesel engine: turn the
SmartKey to position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 157).
The 000F preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the 000Fpreglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe SmartKey to position
3(Y page 157) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to startt he engineX
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To start agasoline engine: press the
Start/Stop button (Y page 158) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 158) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
star tthe vehicle without inserting the
SmartKey into the ignition lock. The Start/
Stop button must be inserted in the ignition
lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle. This mode for starting the engine
operates independently of the ECO start/
stop automatic engine start function. Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor
R(Y page 165).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 180) is
automatically released.
The red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the parking lock released. If you do not
depress the brake pedal, you can move the
DIRECT SELECT lever but the parking lock
remains engaged.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 276).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Pulling away with a trailer 160
DrivingDriving and parking

To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage
the electric parking brake.
X Press and hold handle 0002.
The electric parking brake continues to
brake and prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards.
The red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster remains on.
X Depress the accelerator pedal.
X As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination
is held by the driving force of the engine,
release lever 0002.
The electric parking brake is released.
The red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Hill starta ssist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no
longer brake your vehicle and it could roll
away. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist is not active if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or on
a downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.R
the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
stopped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes 0002
ECO start/stop display
If the 0012 symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off
automatically if the vehicle stops moving.
Every time you switch on the engine using the
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
If the ECO start/stop function has been
manually deactivated (Y page 163) or a Driving
161Driving and parking Z

malfunction has caused the system to be
deactivated, the
0012symbol is not
displayed.
AMG vehicles: theStop/Start active or
Stop/Start inactive message in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display goes out.
AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
For further information on automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 162) and automatic
engine start (Y page 162).
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
Dor
N, the ECO start/stop function switches off
the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the 0012symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R no off-road progra mhas been selected.
R the outside temperature is within the
comfort range.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
no tfogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the 0012symbol will
be shown in yellow.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the
multifunction display additionally shows the
Stop/Start inactive message.i
All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine has been stopped
automatically.
i The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated.
i All vehicles (apart from AMG
vehicles): automatic engine switch-off can
take place a maximum of four times
consecutively (initial stop then repeated
three times). The 0012symbol is shown in
yellow in the multifunction display after the
engine has been started automatically for
the fourth time. When the 0012symbol is
shown in green in the multifunction display,
automatic engine switch-off is again
possible.
i AMG vehicles: times which the engine
can be automatically switched off.
Automatic engine start The engine starts automatically if:
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you release the brakes when in
transmission position Dor Nand when the
HOLD function is not active.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you move the transmission out of position
P.
R you switch to drive program Sor M(AMG
vehicles).
R you switch to an off-road program (except
for AMG vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
R the vehicle starts to roll. 162
DrivingDriving and parking

R
the brake syste mrequires this.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
R the system detects moisture on the
windshield when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the charge level of the battery is too low.
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
again once the 0012symbol reappears in
green in the multifunction display.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function ECO button
X
To switch off (except AMG vehicles):
press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003and the 0012symbol in
the multifunction display go out.
X To switch on (except AMG vehicles):
press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. If all conditions
for automatic engine switch-off
(Y page 162)a re fulfilled, the 0012symbol
is show ningreen in the multifunction
display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 162) are fulfilled, the
0012 symbol is show ninyellow in the
multifunction display. If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available. X
To switch off (AMG vehicles): in program
C, press button 0002.
or
X Switch to drive program Sor M
(Y page 169).
Indicator lamp 0003and the 0012symbol in
the multifunction display go out.
The Stop/Start active or
Stop/Start inactive message in the AMG menu in the
multifunction display goes out.
X To switch on (AMG vehicles): press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. If drive
program Sor Mis active, the automatic
transmission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 162) are fulfilled, the
0012 symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display. In addition, the
Stop/Start active message is shown in
the AMG menu in the multifunction display.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-
off (Y page 162)h ave notbeen fulfilled , the
0012 symbol will be shown in yellow. If this
is the case, the ECO start/stop function is
not available. In addition, the Stop/Start inactive display message is shown in the
AMG menu in the multifunction display.
i If indicator lamp 0003is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated
manually or as the result of a malfunction.
The engine will then not be switched off
automatically when the vehicle stops. Driving
163Driving and parking Z

vehicle with the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-
GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
0012 in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle.
Opening the fuel filler flap 0002
To open the fuel filler flap
0003 To insert the fuel filler cap
0023 Fuel type to be used
0022 Tire pressure table
X Switch the engine off.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X KEYLESS-GO: open the driver’s door.
This corresponds to key position 0: "key
removed".
The driver’s door can be closed again.
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow 0002.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
X Turn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder
bracket on the inside of filler flap 0003.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place
and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off. i
Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leako ut.
Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the fille rneck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle.
i If you are driving with the fuel filler cap
open, the 0012reserve fuel warning lamp
flashes.
In addition, the 0010Check Engine warning
lamp may light up (Y page 325).
Am essage appears in the multifunction
display (Y page 300).
For further information on warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see (Y page 325). Refueling
175Driving and parking Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position Nwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away.T here is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
Using the SmartKey X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
i If you turn off the engine with the
SmartKey and then remove it from the
ignition lock or open a front door, the
automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
Using KEYLESS-GO X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 158).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrumentc luster go out.
i If you use the Start/Stop button to switch
off the engine, the automatic transmission
shifts to Nautomatically. If you the nopen
one of the fron tdoors, the automatic
transmission shifts to P.
i In the event of an emergency, the engine
can be turned off while the vehicle is in
motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for three seconds. Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
i The electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
Applying/releasing manually X
To engage: push handle 0002.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the 0007(USA only) or 000C
(Canada only) red indicator lamp lights up
in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed. 180
ParkingDriving and parking

X
To release: pull handle0002.
The red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electri cparking brake can only be
released:
R if the SmartKey is in position 1in the
ignition loc kor
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage
the electric parking brake (Y page 160).
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is applied
automatically:
R
if DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R if the HOL Dfunction is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least on eofthe following
conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrumentc luster
lights up.
Releasing automatically The electric parking brake is released
automatically when all of the following
conditions are fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the seat belt has been fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the trunk
lid must be closed. If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R
the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of transmission
position Por you have previously driven
faster than 2 mph (3 km/h)
Emergency braking X
While driving, push handle 0002of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
i The vehicle is braked for as long as the
handle of the electric parking brake is
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Release Park. Brake message
appears
R the red 0007(USA only) or 000C(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking
181Driving and parking Z

R
Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger othe rroad users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a2-axle
dynamometer. If you are planning to have
the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain further information first.
Otherwise, you could damage the drive
train or the brake system.
! Because ESP ®
is an automatic system,
the engine and ignition must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0or 1or Start/
Stop button in position 0or 1) when the
electri cparking brake is being tested on a
brake dynamomete r(maximum
10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop .Consult a
qualified specialist workshop to arrange this.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop. If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake
pedal when driving at a high speed. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on (Y
page 67) or of BAS PLUS on
(Y page 68).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your
vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality
standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is
installed only on the ML 63 AMG.
The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R
Speed
R Braking force
R Environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style Driving tips
185Driving and parking Z