MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS 2007 Owners Manual

270 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following settings are available:

AUTO (for normal driving situations)
Indicator lamps2 and3 are off.


SPORT (for sporty driving)
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
With the ADS SPORT setting, the vehi-
cle is lowered approximately 0.6 in
(15 mm).
ML 63 AMG:
The vehicle is lowered approximately
0.3 in (8 mm).


COMF (for comfort driving)
Indicator lamp3 comes on.
ML 63 AMG:
The vehicle is raised approximately
0.28 in (7 mm).

Start the engine (
page 39).

Press ADS switch1 repeatedly until
the desired suspension tuning is
reached.
Vehicle level control*
The vehicle level control automatically
regulates the ride height to

reduce fuel consumption


improve driving stability by lowering
the center of gravity
The vehicle automatically regulates its ride
height based on the set vehicle height and
the current speed:


As your driving speed increases, the ve-
hicle is lowered by increments until it
reaches high-speed level.


If you are driving with the ADS setting
COMF or AUTO, the vehicle is raised
back to highway level as your driving
speed decreases.


You can select the high-speed level via
the ADS setting SPORT. In ADS Sport,
the vehicle is lowered directly to
high-speed level as your driving speed
increases.The parked vehicle begins adjusting to the
set vehicle level as soon the doors and tail-
gate are


unlocked
or


opened or closed with the vehicle
unlocked
In order to operate the vehicle level control
switch (
page 271), however, the engine
must be running.
i
The setting is stored when you turn off the
engine.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you lower
the vehicle while it is standing still. Limbs
could become wedged into or under the ve-
hicle.
For safety reasons, the vehicle can only be
lowered with all doors and the tailgate
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door or
the tailgate is opened and will continue after
the door is closed again.
ProCarManuals.com

271 Controls in detail
Driving systems
For information on off-road driving, see
“Off-road driving” (
page 333).Setting the vehicle level
The switch is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Vehicle level switch
2Indicator lamp
Warning!
G
Please be aware that by raising the vehicle
level, the center of gravity also rises. There-
fore, always ensure that the vehicle level is
as low as possible. With higher ride height
the ESP
® may activate earlier in certain
situations.
Adapt your speed and driving to possible
changed driving behavior of the vehicle after
changing the vehicle level. The ESP
® cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed. The ESP
® cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
!
Keep in mind that in rough or uneven ter-
rain, adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may
cause the vehicle underbody to come in contact
with the ground and result in damage to the vehi-
cle underbody. Always make sure the vehicle has
sufficient ground clearance before adjusting it to
a lower level.
!
Before jacking up the vehicle with equip-
ment that lifts one or more of the wheels com-
pletely off of the ground, remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
!
Please also note the information in the
section on towing (
page 518).
ProCarManuals.com

272 Controls in detailDriving systemsBasic settings (all models, except
ML 63 AMG)
The following vehicle chassis ride heights
can be selected using the vehicle level
switch in the center console:The following is the approximate change in
ride height for each of the level settings:Basic settings (ML 63 AMG only)
The following vehicle chassis ride heights
can be selected using the vehicle level
switch in the center console:
How much the vehicle is lowered or raised
depends on the ADS setting selected. At
the raised level, the vehicle is 2.9 in
(73 mm) higher than at the Highway level
with ADS AUTO.Level
Driving situation
Raised
For off-road driving or driv-
ing in rough terrain. The in-
dicator lamp is on.
Highway
For driving on paved roads
in fair or better condition.
The indicator lamp is off.
i
The third available level is the high-speed
level that is set automatically.
Level
Ride height
Raised
+ 3.1 in (80 mm)
Highway
+/- 0 in (0 mm)
High-speed
- 0.6 in (-15 mm)
i
Depending on the ADS setting
(
page 269), the vehicle will be lowered to the
high-speed level when traveling at higher
speeds. At speeds below 40 mph (64 km/h) at
the latest, it will be returned to the highway level.
i
The high-speed level is not available if tow-
ing a trailer. For more information on towing a
trailer, see “Trailer towing” (
page 342).
Level
Driving situation
Raised
For off-road driving or driv-
ing in rough terrain. The in-
dicator lamp is on.
Highway
For driving on paved roads
in fair or better condition.
The indicator lamp is off.
i
The third available level is the high-speed
level that is set automatically.
ProCarManuals.com

273 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Raised level
Only select the raised level if appropriate
for the driving situation encountered.
Otherwise:

Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling characteristics of the vehicle
may be unfavorable.

Start the engine (
page 40).
If indicator lamp2 (page 271) is off.

Press switch1 (
page 271).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the raised level.The following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display while the level is being
set:
When the raised level is reached, indicator
lamp2 (
page 271) comes on continu-
ously and the following message appears
in the multifunction display for 5 seconds:Highway level

Start the engine (
page 40).
If indicator lamp2 (page 271) is on.

Press switch1 (
page 271).
Indicator lamp2 flashes. The vehicle
adjusts to the highway level.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display while the level is
being set:
i
You can select the raised level at speeds up
to 40 mph (64 km/h). At higher speeds, the
messagen
Level selection not
permitted appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i
The message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
!
Keep in mind that in rough or uneven roads,
adjusting the vehicle to a lower level may cause
the vehicle underbody to come in contact with
the road and result in damage to the vehicle un-
derbody. Always make sure the vehicle has suffi-
cient ground clearance before adjusting it to a
lower level.

ProCarManuals.com

274 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen the highway level is reached, indica-
tor lamp2 (
page 271) goes out. and
the following message appears in the mul-
tifunction display for 5 seconds:
Parktronic system*
i
The message can be cleared by pressing
theèÿk or buttonj on the
multifunction steering wheel.
i
The vehicle is lowered automatically to the
highway level if:


the vehicle speed is above 55 mph
(88 km/h)


the speed stays between 40 mph (64 km/h)
and 55 mph (88 km/h) for approximately
20 seconds
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors,
especially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic system sensors”
(page 408).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic
signals (e.g. working jackhammers, car
wash, or the air brakes of trucks) can cause
the system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

ProCarManuals.com

275 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid and designed to assist the
driver during parking maneuvers. It visually
and audibly indicates the relative distance
between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically
activated when you

switch on the ignition or start the
engine
and


release the parking brake
and


set the automatic transmission to
positionD,R, orN
The Parktronic system deactivates at
vehicle speeds exceeding approximately
11 mph (18 km/h). At lower vehicle
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again.The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you set the automatic transmission
to positionP or depress the parking brake
pedal.
The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damaging the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(
page 408).
!
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
working jackhammers, car wash or the air brakes
of trucks) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
ProCarManuals.com

276 Controls in detailDriving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no
longer be indicated by the system.Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is located in the rear
passenger compartment under the roof.
Front area warning indicator1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Readiness indicators
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
Center
approx. 8in (20cm)
Corners
approx. 6in (15cm)
ProCarManuals.com

277 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is operational when the readiness
indicators3 are illuminated.
The current transmission position deter-
mines which warning indicator will be acti-
vated.As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the red
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.


Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionP, or the
parking brake is set.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound as the first red
distance segment illuminates and a
constant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the automatic
transmission is set to positionD, P, or
the parking brake is set.Switching the Parktronic system*
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the
upper part of the center console.
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp
Transmission
position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated
ProCarManuals.com

278 Controls in detailDriving systemsSwitching off
Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Switching on

Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Parktronic system* malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.

Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g.
slush, snow or ice) or there is an interfer-
ence from other radio or ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers, car wash or
the air brakes of trucks). The Parktronic
system will automatically switch off after
20 seconds and the indicator lamp in the
Parktronic switch comes on.

Switch off the ignition (
page 40).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 408).

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
i
The Parktronic system switches on
automatically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 40).
Vehicles with original equipment Mercedes-Benz
Trailer Hitch Kit:
The rear Parktronic sensor will automatically
disengage when towing a trailer.
ProCarManuals.com

279 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Rear view camera*Warning!
G
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles from a distorted perspec-
tive or inaccurately, or may not display ob-
stacles at all. The rear view camera does not
relieve you of the responsibility to be cau-
tious, take care and pay careful attention.
The rear view camera may not show objects
which are:

very close to the rear bumper


under the rear bumper


above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself or others.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
or near the area in which you are
parking/maneuvering. Otherwise, they
could be injured.Warning!
G
The rear view camera either will not function
or will not function to its full capability if:

the tailgate is open


it is raining very hard, snowing or foggy


it is night or you are parking/maneuver-
ing your vehicle in an area where it is
very dark


the camera is exposed to a very bright
white light


the immediate surroundings are illumi-
nated with fluorescent light (the display
may flicker)


there is a sudden change in tempera-
ture, e.g. if you drive into a heated ga-
rage from the cold (lens condensation)


the camera lens is dirty or covered


the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and set-
ting of the camera checked by a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
visit a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these sit-
uations. Otherwise you could injure yourself
or others and/or damage property including
your vehicle while parking/maneuvering.
ProCarManuals.com