MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2005 W163 Owner's Manual

159 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Switching Parktronic system on / off
The Parktronic system can switched on or
off manually.
The Parktronic switch is located on the
lower part of the center console.
1Parktronic off
2Indicator lamp
3Parktronic onSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch on upper
part1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press Parktronic switch on lower
part3.
The indicator lamp2 goes out.!If the Parktronic system is malfunction-
ing, all red segments of the warning in-
dicators light up and an additional
warning sounds.
Contact your Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
iIf you switch the ignition on, the Park-
tronic system will be automatically
switched on.
The rear Parktronic sensors will not au-
tomatically disengage when towing a
trailer. Therefore switch the Parktronic
system off.

160 Controls in detailLoadingLoading instructions
The gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage / cargo must never
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) for your vehicle. In addition, the
load must be distributed in such a way so
that the weight on each axle never exceeds
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axle. The GVWR and
GAWR for your vehicle are indicated on the
certification label which can be found on
the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:


Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the liftgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.

161 Controls in detail
Loading
For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.Cargo tie-down rings
The cargo compartment is provided with
four tie-down rings. Additional two rings
are located at the rear of front seats.
Cargo tie-down ring
Carefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all rings with rope of sufficient
strength to hold down the cargo.
iThe cargo compartment is the pre-
ferred place to carry objects. The en-
larged cargo compartment should only
be used for items which do not fit in the
cargo compartment alone.
iWhile the partition net* (
page 162)
will help protect you from smaller ob-
jects, it cannot prevent the movement
of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger compartment in an accident.
Such items must be properly secured
using the cargo tie-down rings in the
cargo compartment floor.

162 Controls in detailLoadingHooks
Four hooks located on the rear compart-
ment trim panels, two on each side.HooksUse the hooks to secure light weight items.
The maximum permissible weight per hook
is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Partition net*Use of the partition net is a particularly im-
portant safety factor when the vehicle is
loaded higher than the top of the seat
backrests with smaller objects.
The partition net can be installed behind
the backrests of the front or rear seats.
Engaging partition net
1Holder
2Mounting hookWarning!
G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied by pas-
sengers, or cargo is being carried behind the
seat bench.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects flying in the occupant compartment
during a collision or sudden maneuver, al-
ways use partition net when transporting
cargo.
The partition net cannot prevent the move-
ment of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger compartment in an accident. Such
items must be properly secured using the
cargo tie-down rings in the cargo compart-
ment floor (
page 161).
Passenger use of seats behind installed par-
tition net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net.

163 Controls in detail
Loading

One after the other, press the two
mounting hooks2 inward against the
spring pressure and turn them.
The mounting hooks are locked in this
position and you can move the net into
position more easily.

Turn one of the mounting hooks2 in
the opposite direction.
The spring pressure will push it out.

Engage mounting hook2 in
holder1.

Turn the other mounting hook and en-
gage it in the opposite holder.

Push both mounting hooks2 forward
into holder1.Tightening partition net
Installation behind the front seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
Installation behind the rear seats1Tie-down hook
2Ring
3Tensioner
Insert tie-down hook1 in rings2.

Pull on loose ends of tie-down straps
until net is tight.

After driving a short distance, check
the tension on the net and retighten if
necessary.
iBefore tightening the partition net,
remove the cargo floor plates
(page 165).

164 Controls in detailLoadingRemoving partition net
Lift tensioner3 upward to a horizon-
tal position to release tensioning of the
strap.

Disengage tie-down hooks1 from
rings2.

Remove mounting hooks2
(page 162) from holder1
(page 162).

Roll up and close the partition net.

Store partition net behind rear seat
bench.
Cargo compartment cover blind*
1Handle
2Holder
Closing blind
Pull blind on handle1 across the car-
go compartment.

Guide blind into holders2.Opening blind

Disengage blind and guide retraction
by its handle1.
Removing blind
3Button
4Mounting sleeve

Roll the blind up.

Push mounting sleeve4 inward
against spring pressure until it engag-
es.

Remove blind from mounts.
Warning!
G
Passenger use of third row seats with cargo
compartment cover blind installed is re-
stricted.

165 Controls in detail
Loading
Installing blind
Place left side of blind in left mount.

Position right side of blind over right
mount.

Push button3, releasing mounting
sleeve to slide into mount.
Cargo floor plates
Removing cargo floor plates
Lift cargo floor plate at rear edge
(arrow).
Cargo floor plate unhinges automati-
cally.

Remove cargo floor plate by pulling it
rearwards.Storing cargo floor plates
1Hook and loop strip

Fold the left cargo floor plate together.

Open the hook and loop strip at the
bottom of backrest of the third row
seats* and insert cargo floor plate.

Close the hook and loop strip.
iBefore you can remove the cargo floor
plates, it is possible that the third row
seats* (
page 102) must be removed.

166 Controls in detailLoadingInstalling cargo floor plates
1Opening
2Pins
3Attachment opening
4Latch
Grip into opening1 and guide pins2
into attachment opening3.
The center pin must snap into place in
latch4.
Roof rack*Roof rails
For further information, inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
The maximum roof load when using roof
rack systems is 220 lb (100 kg).
!Attach roof racks to the roof rails only.
Use only those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Follow manufacturer’s installation in-
structions.
The vehicle could otherwise be dam-
aged.

167 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box

Grab in recess and pull lid release1.
The glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push glove box lid up to close.Storage compartment under front
passenger seat*
The storage compartment is lockable with
its separate key.
1Lock cylinder
2Handle
Locking and unlocking the storage com-
partment

Turn the key clockwise.
The storage compartment is locked.

Turn the key counterclockwise.
The storage compartment is unlocked.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net when transporting
cargo. Partition net cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iThe opened glove box is illuminated
with the key in steering lock position1
(page 33).

168 Controls in detailUseful featuresOpening the storage compartment 
Press the lock cylinder in and pull stor-
age compartment out using handle2.
Closing the storage compartment

Push the storage compartment in until
the lock engages.Armrest storage compartments
A flat storage tray with a deeper storage
compartment underneath is located below
the armrest. Both can be opened separate-
ly.
1Button to open storage tray
2Button to open storage compartment
3Open cover4Storage tray
5Coin holder
Opening the storage tray

Press button1 and lift up armrest.
The armrest contains two coin holders.
Opening the storage compartment

Press button2 and lift up armrest.