2015 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class tow

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 24 At a glance
........................................... 33 Safety
................................................... 43 Opening and closing
...........................79 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
..103 Lights and windshield wipers
..........119 Climate control
................................. 137 Driving and parking
..........................155 On-board computer and displays
....265 Stowage and features
......................333 Maintenance and care
......................365 Breakdown assistance
.....................381 Wheels and tires
............................... 399 Technical data
................................... 445 Contents
3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 350
12 V socket see Sockets
360° camera
Cleaning .........................................3 76
Function/notes ............................ .229
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) ................................................. .249 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 285
Function/notes ................................ 68
Important safety notes .................... 68
Warning lamp ................................. 321
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 60
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 144
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 276
Display message ............................ 308
Function/informatio n.................... 241
Trailer towing ................................. 244
Active Curve System
Display message ............................ 305
Function/note s............................. 212
Active Driving Assistance package .. 241
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 276
Display message ............................ 307
Function/information .................... 244
Trailer towing ................................. 247
Active light function ......................... 125
Active Parking Assist Display message ............................ 308
Exiting a parking space .................. 223
Function/note s............................. 220
Important safety notes .................. 220 Parking .......................................... 222
Towing a trailer .............................. 224
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist Display message ............................ 292
Function/note s................................ 71
Adaptive damping system
see ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 300
Function/note s............................. 126
Switching on/of f........................... 126
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 453
ADS (Adaptive Damping System) Function/note s............................. 212
Air bags
Deployment ..................................... 58
Display message ............................ 295
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 51
Important safety notes .................... 50
Introduction ..................................... 50
Knee bag .......................................... 52
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indica-
tor lamp ........................................... 45
Side impact air bag .......................... 52
Window curtain air bag .................... 52
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air filter (display message) .............. 303
AIR FLOW ........................................... 147
AIRMATIC package ADS (Adaptive Damping System) ... 212
Function/note s............................. 211
Level control .................................. 213
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 153
Important safety notes .................. 152
Rear ............................................... 153
Setting ........................................... 152
Setting the center air vents ........... 152
Setting the side air vents ............... 153
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system )......... 77
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 77
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 77 4
Index

Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ambient lighting
Setting the brightness (on-board
computer) ...................................... 278
Setting the color (on-board com-
puter) ............................................ .278
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ................................................ 215
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 281
Anti-lock braking system see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Approach/departure angle .............. 194
Ashtray ............................................... 348
Assistance display (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .275
Assistance menu (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .275
ASSYST PLUS Displaying a service message ....... .371
Hiding a service message .............. 371
Notes ............................................. 370
Resetting the service interval dis-
play ................................................ 371
Service message ............................ 370
Special service requirements ......... 371
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ................... 77
Function .......................................... .77
Switching off the alarm .................... 77
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating ................. 276
Display message ............................ 304
Function/note s............................. 233
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 272
Audio system see separate operating instructions
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 300
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ............... 372Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 163
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 162
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 120
Automatic transmission Accelerator pedal position ............. 171
Automatic drive program ............... 173
Changing gear ............................... 171
DIRECT SELECT lever ..................... 168
Display message ............................ 315
Drive program display .................... 168
Driving tips .................................... 171
Emergency running mode .............. 177
Engaging drive position .................. 170
Engaging neutral ............................ 169
Engaging park position automati-
cally ............................................... 169
Engaging reverse gear ................... 169
Engaging the park position ............ 168
Kickdown ....................................... 171
Manual drive progra m.................... 173
Manual drive program (AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 174
Manual drive program (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package) .. 174
Overview ........................................ 168
Problem (malfunction) ................... 177
Program selector button ................ 172
Pulling away ................................... 160
Starting the engine ........................ 160
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 172
Trailer towing ................................. 171
Transmission position display ........ 168
Transmission positions .................. 170
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 177
Axle load, permissible (trailer tow-
ing) ...................................................... 460 B
Bag hook ............................................ 339
Ball coupling Installing ........................................ 258
Removing ....................................... 262
Storing ........................................... 262
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 68 Index
5

BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS)
.................................................... 69
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 83
Important safety notes .................... 83
Replacing ......................................... 83
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 389
Display message ............................ 301
Important safety notes .................. 387
Jump starting ................................. 391
Overview ........................................ 387
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 276
Display message ............................ 308
Notes/function .............................. 237
Trailer towing ................................. 239
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 180
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 451
Brake Assist see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 291
Notes ............................................. 453
Brake lamps
Changing bulb s.............................. 132
Display message ............................ 298
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 68
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 71
BAS .................................................. 68
BAS PLUS ........................................ 69
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 453
Display message ............................ 285
High-performance brake system .... 189
Important safety notes .................. 188
Maintenance .................................. 189
Parking brake ................................ 184
Riding tips ...................................... 188
Warning lamp ................................. 320
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting)
................................... 35
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 376
Carpets .......................................... 379
Car wash ........................................ 372
Displa y........................................... 377
Exhaust pipe .................................. 376
Exterior lights ................................ 375
Gear or selector lever .................... 378
Interior ........................................... 377
Matte finish ................................... 374
Night View Assist Plus ................... 377
Notes ............................................. 371
Paint .............................................. 373
Plastic trim .................................... 378
Power washe r................................ 373
Rear view camera .......................... 376
Roof lining ...................................... 379
Seat belt ........................................ 379
Seat cover ..................................... 378
Sensors ......................................... 375
Steering wheel ............................... 378
Trim pieces .................................... 378
Washing by hand ........................... 373
Wheels ........................................... 374
Windows ........................................ 375
Wiper blades .................................. 375
Wooden trim .................................. 378
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/how to use ......................... 340
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 337
Cargo compartment floor
Opening/closing ............................ 344
Stowage well (under )..................... 344 6
Index

Cargo net
Attaching ...................................... .342
Important safety information ......... 342
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 339
Car key see SmartKey
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 273
Center console Lower section .................................. 39
Upper section .................................. 38
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 279
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ....... .80
Changing bulbs
Brake lamps .................................. .132
High-beam headlamps ................... 131
Low-beam headlamps .................... 130
Parking lamps ................................ 131
Side marker lamps ......................... 131
Standing lamps (front) ................... 131
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes .................... 66
Rear doors ....................................... 66
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 61
Restraint systems ............................ 62
Special seat belt retractor .............. .61
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 65
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 63
On the front-passenger seat ............ 65
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 65
Top Tether ...................................... .64
Cigarette lighter ................................ 348
Cleaning Mirror turn signal .......................... .375
Trailer tow hitch ............................ .376
Climate control
Automatic climate control (3-
zone) .............................................. 142
Controlling automatically .............. .146
Cooling with air dehumidification .. 144
Defrosting the windows ................. 150
Defrosting the windshield .............. 149 Dual-zone automatic climate con-
trol ................................................. 139
General notes ................................ 138
Indicator lamp ................................ 146
Information about using auto-
matic climate control ..................... 144
Maximum cooling .......................... 149
Overview of systems ..................... .138
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 146
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 151
Rear control panel ......................... 142
Refrigerant ..................................... 455
Refrigerant filling capacity ............. 455
Setting the air distribution ............. 148
Setting the airflow ......................... 148
Setting the air vents ..................... .152
Setting the climate mode (AIR
FLOW) ............................................ 147
Setting the temperature ................ 147
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 151
Switching on/off ........................... 144
Switching residual heat on/off ...... 151
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off ............................ 150
Switching the ZONE function on/
off ................................................. .149
Climate control system
Automatic engine start .................. 163
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 162
Deactivating/activating ................. 163
General information ....................... 162
Important safety notes .................. 162
Introduction ................................... 162
Coat hooks ......................................... 342
Cockpit Overview .......................................... 34
see Instrument cluster
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
Operation/notes .............................. 70
COMAND
ON&OFFROAD menu ..................... 255
see separate operating instructions
COMAND display
Cleaning ......................................... 377 Index
7

HOLD functio
n............................... 210
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 239
Level control (vehicles with AIR-
MATIC package) ............................. 213
Level control (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) ................ 206
On-road programs .......................... 247
PARKTRONIC ................................. 217
Rear view camera .......................... 224
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 171
Brakes ........................................... 188
Break-in period .............................. 156
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 205
Downhill gradient ........................... 188
Drinking and driving ....................... 186
Driving abroad ............................... 120
Driving in winter ............................. 190
Driving on flooded roads ................ 190
Driving on sand .............................. 193
Driving on wet roads ...................... 190
Driving over obstacles ................... 194
Exhaust check ............................... 186
Fuel ................................................ 186
General .......................................... 186
Hydroplaning ................................. 190
Icy road surfaces ........................... 190
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 188
Off-road driving .............................. 192
Off-road fording ............................. 190
Snow chains .................................. 403
Symmetrical low beam .................. 120
Tire ruts ......................................... 194
Towing a trailer .............................. 257
Traveling uphill ............................... 194
Wet road surface ........................... 188
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Display message ............................ 306
Function/note s............................. 250
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 273 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating ................. 279
Function/note s............................. 113
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 114
Function/note s............................. 113
Switching on/of f........................... 279
EASY-PACK load-securing kit
Components and storage .............. 342
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 287
Function/note s................................ 75
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 187
On-board computer ....................... 270
ECO start/stop function (ML 250
BlueTEC 4MATIC)
Automatic engine start .................. 165
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 165
General notes ................................ 164
Important safety notes .................. 164
Introduction ................................... 164
Switching on/of f........................... 165
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Emergency
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 60
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 88
Vehicle ............................................. 88
Emergency spare wheel
General notes ................................ 441
Important safety notes .................. 440
Removing ....................................... 441
Storage location ............................ 441
Technical data ............................... 443
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 58
Emergency unlocking
Tailgate ............................................ 93
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 25 10
Index

Engine
Check Engine warning lamp .......... .327
Display message ............................ 300
ECO start/stop function ................ 162
Engine number ............................... 447
Irregular running ............................ 167
Jump-starting ................................. 391
Starting problems .......................... 167
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 160
Starting with KEYLESS-GO ............. 160
Switching off .................................. 183
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 396
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ................... 167
Engine jump starting
see Jump starting (engine)
Engine oil
Adding .......................................... .368
Additives ........................................ 453
Checking the oil level ..................... 367
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 367
Display message ............................ 302
Filling capacity ............................... 452
Notes about oil grades ................... 452
Notes on oil level/consumption .... 367
Temperature (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 281
Viscosity ........................................ 453
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) AMG menu (on-board computer) ... 281
Characteristics ................................. 73
Deactivating/activating ................... 73
Display message ............................ 285
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 72
Function/notes ................................ 72
General notes .................................. 72
Important safety information ........... 73
Trailer stabilization ........................... 74
Warning lamp ................................. 323
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction Sys-
tem) ...................................................... 72
Exhaust check ................................... 186
Exhaust pipe (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .376 Exterior lighting
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 114
Dipping (automatic) ....................... 115
Folding in/out (automatically) ....... 115
Folding in/out (electrically) ........... 115
Folding in when locking (on-board computer) ...................................... 280
Out of position (troubleshooting) ... 115
Setting ........................................... 115
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 116
Storing the parking position .......... 116
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 336 F
Filler cap see Fuel filler flap
Flat tire
MOExtended tire s.......................... 383
Preparing the vehicle ..................... 383
TIREFIT kit ...................................... 384
see Emergency spare wheel
Floormats ........................................... 364
Folding the rear bench seat for-
wards/back ....................................... 337
Fording Off-road ......................................... 190
On flooded roads ........................... 190
Fuel
Additives ........................................ 449
Consumption statistics .................. 269
Displaying the current consump-
tion ................................................ 270
Displaying the range ...................... 270
Driving tips .................................... 186
Flexible fuel vehicles ...................... 450
Fuel gaug e....................................... 35
Grade (gasoline )............................ 448
Important safety notes .................. 448
Low outside temperature s............. 450
Premium-grade unleaded gaso-
line ................................................. 448
Problem (malfunction) ................... 180
Quality (diesel )............................... 449 Index
11

Opening and closing the side trim
panels .................................................1 32
Operating safety Declaration of conformity ................ 28
Important safety notes .................... 27
Operating system
see On-board computer
Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment ........................... 25
Outside temperature display ........... 267
Overhead control panel ......................41
Override feature Rear side windows ........................... 67 P
Paint code number ............................446
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 373
Panic alarm .......................................... 44
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel
Important safety notes .................... 97
Opening/closing .............................. 99
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ............................................... 100
Problem (malfunction) ................... 101
Resetting ....................................... 100
Parking
Important safety notes .................. 182
Parking brake ................................ 184
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 116
Rear view camera .......................... 224
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Active Parking Assist ..................... 220
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking assistance
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 288
Electric parking brake .................... 184
Warning lamp ................................. 326
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 122
Parking lamps (changing bulbs) ...... 131PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 219
Driving system ............................... 217
Function/notes ............................ .217
Important safety notes .................. 217
Problem (malfunction) ................... 220
Range of the sensors ..................... 217
Trailer towing ................................. 219
Warning displa y............................. 218
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
Indicator lamp .................................. 45
Problems (malfunction) .................. 295
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 67
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 378
Power closing feature ......................... 88
Power washers .................................. 373
Power windows see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection) Display message ............................ 291
Operation ......................................... 60
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
Activating/deactivating ................. 276
Display message ............................ 293
Function/note s................................ 75
Warning lamp ................................. 330
Program selector button .................. 172
Protection of the environment General notes .................................. 24
Pulling away
Trailer ............................................ 161
Pulling away (automatic transmis-
sion) .................................................... 160 Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 29 R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 282
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating ................. 279
Display message ............................ 307
Radiator cover ................................... 36716
Index