ECU MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS 2007 Repair Manual

303 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet in rear center console
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).Power outlet in cargo compartment

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigarette lighter type).
Floormats*
i
If your vehicle is equipped with a smoking
package*, the storage compartment contains an
ashtray with cigarette lighter (
page 301) in-
stead.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets
2
and retainer pins
1

(
page 304).
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
i
To install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 44).
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335 Operation
Driving instructions
Off-road driving rules

Engage the off-road driving program
(page 268) before driving under
off-road conditions.


Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Make sure you select a vehicle level
(page 270) appropriate to the topo-
graphical conditions. Always make
sure the vehicle has enough ground
clearance.


Fasten items being carried as securely
as possible (
page 281).


Always navigate gradients with the en-
gine on and with the transmission en-
gaged in a gear. Switch on the DSR
(page 265) to help maintain a preset
speed.
!
Observe the following during off-road
driving:


Keep doors, tailgate, windows, and
tilt/sliding sunroof* closed whenever driving
off-road.


Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain.
The more uneven, rutty and steeper the ter-
rain, the lower the speed should be. Drive
through water slowly at an even speed,
avoiding a bow wave.


Be especially careful when driving in un-
known territory. It may be necessary to get
out of the vehicle and scout the path you in-
tend to take.


Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks,
holes, tree stumps and ruts.


Before driving through water, determine its
depth.


Do not stop vehicle while immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.


In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as al-
lowed by conditions. This helps overcome
the vehicle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle sinking into the
ground.


Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It
interrupts the forward momentum of the
vehicle.


Always drive onto slopes with the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.


Do not shift automatic transmission to
positionN.Warning!
G
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure (
page 375) before continuing
your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation
pressure increases the risk of losing control
of the vehicle and rolling over.
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346 OperationDriving instructions

Adjust the mirrors (
page 49) to
permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.


If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to make sure the
brakes are working properly.


Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.


When towing a trailer, check occasion-
ally to make sure the load is secure,
and that lighting and trailer brakes (if
so equipped) are functioning properly.


Take into consideration that when tow-
ing a trailer, the handling characteris-
tics are different and less stable from
those when operating the vehicle with-
out a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers.


The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in ac-
celeration and climbing ability, and re-
quires longer stopping distances.
It is more prone to reacting to cross
wind gusts, and requires more sensi-
tive steering input.


If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.


If the transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on inclines, manually
shift to a lower gear (select 4, 3, 2 or 1)
(page 193).
A lower gear and reduction of speed re-
duces the chance of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.


On very steep inclines, not manageable
with automatic transmission in1,
switch on off-road driving program
(page 268).


When going down a long hill, shift into
a lower gear and use the engine’s brak-
ing effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheat-
ing the vehicle and trailer brakes.


If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioning is on,
turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows,
switching the climate control fan speed
to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.
!
If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce
the vehicle’s speed immediately.
In no case attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.
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348 OperationDriving instructions
Disconnect all electrical plug connec-
tors.

Uncouple the trailer.

Make sure that the trailer coupling is
free of load.

Turn off the engine (
page 66).
Passenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
directory, you should request pertinent
information from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Control and operation of radio
transmitters
COMAND system, radio and telephone*
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The rear cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. Always use tie down
rings, and if so equipped, always use parti-
tion net* when transporting cargo. The par-
tition net* cannot secure hard or heavy
objects. Always fasten items being carried
as securely as possible using the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo floor area and
fastening materials.
Warning!
G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle. Only operate the
COMAND system, radio or telephone
1 if
road, weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
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358 OperationEngine compartmentClosing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption
can occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system (ML 500 only)
When checking the oil level


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
The standard display (
page 154)
should appear in the multifunction
display.
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
i
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
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431 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
If the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the electron-
ic traction system has switched off
to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
the electronic traction system switches
on again.
The message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears and the ESP
® warning
lampv goes out.
The self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.
The display will clear after driving a
short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise control and
SPEEDTRONIC
inoperative
The cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Cruise control
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the
speed (
page 245).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.

Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.

Release the parking brake
(page 57).
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432 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
--- mph
You have attempted to set a speed
while driving below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding 20 mph
(30 km/h) and set the speed (
page 250).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 98).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.

Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 187).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.

Release the parking brake (
page 57).
inoperative
Override
The Distronic* or the Distronic*
display are malfunctioning.

Have the system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
You have accelerated. The
Distronic* has switched off.

Stop accelerating.
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440 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible
cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front passenger airbag
enabled
See Operator’s Manual
Front passenger front air bag
is activated while driving even
though a child, small
individual, or object below
the system’s weight thresh-
old is on the front passenger
seat, or the front passenger
seat is empty. Objects on the
seat or forces acting on the
seat may make the system
sense supplemental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake (
page 65).

Switch off the ignition (
page 40).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly
secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat
and make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat
is empty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the
seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recog-
nize such forces as supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on
the front passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch
on the ignition (
page 40).
(Continued on next page)
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470 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?3Securing hook
Release securing hook3 (located be-
low the floor handle) from holder.3Securing hook
4Cargo compartment floor, raised
5Upper cargo compartment lip

Engage securing hook3 on upper
cargo compartment lip5.

Remove the Minispare wheel
(page 473).
orML 63 AMG:

Remove the collapsible tire
(page 474).
You can now access the vehicle tool kit.
6Wheel bolt wrench
7Vehicle jack
8Collapsible wheel chock
9Spare fuses, fuse chart, fuse extractor
aTowing eye bolt
bAlignment bolt
cSpare wheel bolts
!
With the cargo compartment cover blind
installed behind the rear seats (
page 286),
disengage cargo compartment cover blind and
flip it forward. Otherwise the strap of the
securing hook could damage the cargo compart-
ment cover blind.

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471 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Vehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located underneath the
cargo compartment floor.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its storage
compartment (
page 470).

Turn crank handle in the direction of ar-
row as far as it will go.
!
Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for scis-
sors-type jack.
!
To prevent damage, always disengage the
strap of the securing hook and lower the cargo
compartment floor (
page 469) before closing
the tailgate.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage the parking brake while
the vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack
is always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on a level surface.
Make sure that the jack arm is fully seated
in the jack take-up bracket. Always lower
the vehicle onto jackstands of sufficient
capacity before working under the vehicle.

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